Organisations Unite for Chilean Monkeys Hit by Earthquake
On Monday of last week, Wild Futures launched a special appeal for urgent financial support for partner organisation, Centro de Rescate de Primates Peñaflor, after the devastating earthquake that hit Chile in the early hours of Saturday morning destroyed parts of the only rescue centre for primates in the country.
The cost of carrying out short-term remedial work to secure enclosures for the monkeys was estimated by the centre’s Director, Elba Muñoz, at around 3 million Chilean pesos (close to £4,000 GBP). Once this work had been carried out, a thorough assessment of the entire site would have to be carried out and a work programme put into place to rectify the less urgent damage.
Time was of the essence for the not-for-profit, which receives no government funding, as the rainy season begins in April. Work would have to be carried out before then as many of the sleeping quarters for the monkeys had collapsed, leaving them without shelter at night.
The Wild Futures team appealed to supporters and to associated organisations in the UK to dig deep for the project, which is the only one of its kind in Chile and has virtually ended the illegal trade in primates as pets in the country as a result of its pioneering work. An overwhelming response of donations, coupled with messages of support led to transfers totalling over £7,000 being made to the centre today.
Liz Tyson, spokesperson for Wild Futures said today:
“We have been in constant contact with Elba and her team since communication was restored on Sunday of last week. Elba has passed on her heartfelt thanks to all those that have supported the centre in its time of need. With so many people affected by the quake, rebuilding is on everyone’s mind and Elba needed to act quickly in order to be able to buy what she needed before supplies run out. This meant travelling to the capital city, Santiago, to source wood and cement, where long queues and lengthy negotiations were being made to purchase building materials. Food prices continue to rise and, with the fruit growing region in the south of the country badly hit, stockpiling is necessary in order to ensure that the 161 monkeys at the centre don’t go without in the critical period as the country gets back on its feet.
Wild Futures would like to thank IFAW, The RSPCA, Care for the Wild International and International Animal Rescue for their fantastic contributions to the cause, as well as all the individual donors who have made personal pledges to support the centre. We are delighted to be able to play a part in offering such essential support to such a wonderful organisation and we hope that this will help to see them through this difficult time”.
<ENDS>
Notes to Editors
Centro de Rescate de Primates, Peñaflor
Elba Muñoz first rescued a woolly monkey when a young boy appeared at her front door with a male woolly in his arms. It was when they began researching into the care of woolly monkeys that Elba first got in touch with Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary. In 1997 they gained authorisation to create the first official primate rescue centre in Chile.
Siglo XXI not only rescues monkeys who need a good home, but also campaigns against the pet and zoo trade, appearing on TV and in the local and national press. Thousands of Chileans are now aware of the cruelties involved in this trade, and in 2002 the government declared that, thanks to Elba’s contribution, the Chilean primate pet trade has virtually ceased. However, there are still many monkeys awaiting confiscation and sanctuary from zoos, circuses and private homes.
Wild Futures (Charity reg. No. 1102532) is an educational and environmental charity promoting the welfare and conservation of primates, and working to end the abuses of primates in captivity. Its flagship project, The Monkey Sanctuary, in Cornwall, is home to victims of the primate pet trade. Drawing on over 40 years of primate expertise, Wild Futures acts as an advisory body to sanctuaries and conservation organisations in the UK and overseas and advises DEFRA on UK animal welfare legislation.
The following organisations made significant donations to the appeal. Please visit their websites for more information on their work.
International Fund for Animal Welfare: www.ifaw.org
The RSPCA: www.rspca.co.uk
Care for the Wild International: www.careforthewild.org
International Animal Rescue: www.internationalanimalrescue.org
For more information or further pictures contact:
Liz Tyson, Public Relations and Communication Manager
+44 (0) 1503 262 532