Monkey Sanctuary facts for kids
| Date opened | 1964 |
|---|---|
| Location | Looe, Cornwall, England |
| Coordinates | 50°21′55″N 4°24′49″W / 50.3654°N 4.4136°W |
| No. of animals | 30 |
| No. of species | 5 |
| Annual visitors | 30,000 |
The Monkey Sanctuary is a special place in Looe, Cornwall, England. It was started in 1964 by Len Williams, who was the father of famous guitarist John Williams. The main goal was to give a safe home to woolly monkeys that needed help.
Today, the Sanctuary is still a loving home for many monkeys. It cares for woolly monkeys, whose families have lived there for generations. It also helps capuchin monkeys rescued from the pet trade in Britain. You can also find many marmosets and a small group of macaques living there.
Contents
The Monkey Sanctuary: A Safe Home for Primates
The Monkey Sanctuary is more than just a place to see monkeys. It is a rescue center and a safe haven. It provides a natural environment for monkeys that have been through difficult times. The Sanctuary helps them live happy and healthy lives.
What is The Monkey Sanctuary?
The Sanctuary began as a cooperative. This means it was a group of people working together for a common goal. Their goal was to care for rescued monkeys. Since 1964, it has grown into a well-known rescue center. It teaches people about monkeys and their needs.
Who Lives There?
The Sanctuary is home to several types of monkeys.
- Woolly Monkeys: These monkeys were the first residents. Their descendants still live at the Sanctuary today.
- Capuchin Monkeys: Many capuchins have been rescued from the pet trade. They find a new, safe home here.
- Marmosets: A growing number of marmosets also live at the Sanctuary.
- Barbary Macaques: A small group of these macaques have also been rescued and now live safely at the Sanctuary.
Besides monkeys, a special colony of rare lesser horseshoe bats lives in the cellar of Murrayton House. This is a 19th-century building on the Sanctuary grounds. It used to be where staff and volunteers lived and worked.
Helping Animals: Wild Futures
The Monkey Sanctuary is the main project of an organization called Wild Futures. Wild Futures is a registered charity in the UK. This means it is a non-profit group dedicated to helping animals. They work to protect primates and their habitats around the world.
The Sanctuary's Home
The Sanctuary is located in a beautiful part of Cornwall, England. The main building, Murrayton House, is quite old. It was built in the 1800s. For many years, it served as offices and living spaces for the people who worked and volunteered at the Sanctuary. In 2025, Murrayton House was put up for sale.
