Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:11 pm Check out http://www.monkeyworld.org and then view my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/ian_stickland/monkeyworld
If you live in the UK, you must visit this place. It exists purely to rescue monkeys that have been plucked from the wild or bred in captivity and mistreated. These animals can't go back to the wild, they simply wouldn't know what to do. Instead, the owners put these animals in groups of their own kind in large enclosures and try to keep them occupied and lead full and happy lives.
I have to say that on the evidence we've seen first hand and also on the excellent UK TV series, they've succeeded. I defy anyone not to be moved time and time again at no matter how badly humans may have treated one of these animals, at Monkey World with their own kind (who many have never seen before) it always ends with a hug and a happy monkey.
I'm not often struck by these places but here it's different.
For amateur photographers it a great place to go, there are excellent viewing areas both through glass and also from higher un-obscured view points. I say amateurs as Monkey World don't want people to sell pictures of their monkeys as it potentially deprives them of money raising potential to help the many other illegally captured monkeys out there. So, my gallery won't be up for long! If you can't go, why not adopt one of the monkeys and buy one of the videos. If it makes the difference I'll even go there to take pictures of your adopted monkey for you!!
Thanks for reading and excuse my 'preaching', it's for a good cause.
Ian.
