Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary facts for kids
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The chimpanzee cages at the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary
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| Date opened | December 2008 |
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| Location | Caehopkin Abercraf Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°47′48″N 3°41′26″W / 51.79677°N 3.69051°W |
| Website | Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary |
The Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary is a special place for animals in Powys, Wales. It's located between the villages of Caehopkin and Abercraf. This sanctuary gives a safe, forever home to many animals, especially monkeys and apes, who need help.
The sanctuary is run by a husband and wife team, Graham and Jan Garen. It officially became the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary in December 2008. Before that, it was known as Cefn-yr-Erw Primate Sanctuary.
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A Home for Rescued Animals
The land where the sanctuary now stands used to be a traditional hill farm. Jan inherited this farm from her father. She started by taking in a Vietnamese Potbelly Pig. Later, she welcomed other animals like marmosets, goats, and capybaras.
How the Sanctuary Grew
Jan married Graham Garen in 1994. Together, they continued to grow the sanctuary. A big moment happened in 1998 when Penscynor Wildlife Park closed down. Seven chimpanzees from that park needed a new home urgently.
The sanctuary stepped in to help these chimpanzees. They were able to house them starting from February 21, 1999. Without the sanctuary's help, these chimpanzees might not have survived.
Who Lives at the Sanctuary Now?
Today, the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary rescues many different kinds of animals. They provide a final home for animals that cannot go back to the wild. This includes many chimpanzees, baboons, spider monkeys, capuchins, and marmosets.
The sanctuary's main goal is to make sure these rescued animals have the best possible life. They do not breed any animals. This means they focus all their efforts on caring for the animals they have already rescued.
Supporting the Sanctuary
The Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary is a registered charity (Charity ID: 1076645). It does not receive money from the UK government, the Welsh government, or local councils.
How the Sanctuary Gets Funding
The sanctuary relies on donations from the public to keep running. They also get money from the entrance fees paid by visitors. About 30,000 people visit the sanctuary each year. Every visit and donation helps them care for the animals.
