Field sites

The UFP is based at both Monkeyland and The Hidden Forest, two multi-species primate sanctuaries located in South Africa. In fact, Monkeyland is the world’s first free-roaming, multi-species primate sanctuary. Tony Blignaut founded it in 1998 to help endangered species and rescue ex-captive primates. Monkeyland aims to allow primates to live a more natural, autonomous life within a sanctuary. At the moment, Monkeyland is home to 10 species and over 550 primates: black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), ringtail lemurs (Lemur catta), black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya), Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis), Geoffroy’s spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), red-backed bearded sakis (Chiropotes chiropotes), vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar), hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus), and, of course, robust capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.).

The Hidden Forest Sanctuary is Monkeyland’s sister sanctuary and shares the same goals. It opened to the public in April 2019 and houses 9 primate species in a 23-hectare forest: black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), ringtail lemurs (Lemur catta), black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya), Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis), Geoffroy’s spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), robust capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.), white-faced capuchins (Cebus imitator), and golden-bellied capuchins (Sapajus xanthosternos). The Hidden Forest allows the UFP to expand its research goals toward a capuchin cross-species comparison.

Both primate sanctuaries are part of the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) and are dedicated to raising awareness about wildlife conservation and educating the public on the harmful impacts of the pet trade. Most importantly, these primate sanctuaries are involved in the #HandsOffOurWildlife campaign, which highlights the importance of responsible ecotourism and reinforces strict no-touch policies to ensure the well-being of all animals under their care.

Particularly, Monkeyland pioneered the world’s first real estate initiative for wild animals, known as the “Buy a Square Meter for the Monkeys” campaign. Through this initiative, Monkeyland wants to make sure that monkeys who inhabit the sanctuary become the rightful owners of the forested sanctuary land. This will make sure the animals living at Monkeyland will be able to live peacefully for a very long time.