Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary Cefn-yr-Erw Primate Sanctuary
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Help stop Mole Hall chimps from going to cefn yr erw
Mole Hall has badly ran their zoo for so many years. Now with its closure, all the animals had to be re-homed immediately. The two elderly chimpanzees, Joey and Tubman, were initially going to sunny Spain to the MONA Foundation sanctuary where they would live out the rest of their lives with the sun on their backs. But after several weeks of campaign by the Cambridge based charity, MONA-UK, the Johnstone family who owns Mole Hall suddenly changed their minds and decided to transfer the chimps to a sub-standard facility in Wales (cefn-yr-erw). This is very worrying. If you do a search for "Joey and Tubman" on Google, you will see the amazing public campaign started by MONA-UK. Has anyone ever visited Cefn-yr-erw? From the Welsh website, they don't seem to have money for the upkeep of their animals, nor do they have money for enclosures of their chimps currently in quarantine. Also the park looks really dilapidated. I can't bare to see these chimps live out the rest of their lives in squalor. Is there anyway we can stop this from happening?
Mole Hall has badly ran their zoo for so many years. Now with its closure, all the animals had to be re-homed immediately. The two elderly chimpanzees, Joey and Tubman, were initially going to sunny Spain to the MONA Foundation sanctuary where they would live out the rest of their lives with the sun on their backs. But after several weeks of campaign by the Cambridge based charity, MONA-UK, the Johnstone family who owns Mole Hall suddenly changed their minds and decided to transfer the chimps to a sub-standard facility in Wales (cefn-yr-erw). This is very worrying. If you do a search for "Joey and Tubman" on Google, you will see the amazing public campaign started by MONA-UK. Has anyone ever visited Cefn-yr-erw? From the Welsh website, they don't seem to have money for the upkeep of their animals, nor do they have money for enclosures of their chimps currently in quarantine. Also the park looks really dilapidated. I can't bare to see these chimps live out the rest of their lives in squalor. Is there anyway we can stop this from happening?
Visit to Cefn-yr-Erw today
Totally by chance I have just come back from Cefn-yr-Erw and learned about plans to move the Mole Hall chimps there .
I don't want to get too involved in the politics of Monkey sanctuaries but , for many , money does seem to be involved before they will accept primates . Some also seem to be selective about what they will accept - Monkeyworld now only seems to accept young chimps , I assume this is because trying to socialise older animals into their groups would be difficult .
Ok , Cefn-yr-Erw is not perfect but it does rely on donations and the income from visitors to pay its way so life must be tough . It certainly has a scruffy look to it . A notice says they know they are far from perfect and are happy to accept constructive criticism . On a sunny afternoon the surrounding hills are spectacular but it must be a bit grim there in cold , wet weather . In that respect a chimp retirement home in Spain would be a more attractive proposition .
Apart from one exception I found all the primates looking in good condition and behaving in a relaxed manner . Their housing would not win any awards but seemed acceptable to me - I am pleased to say the mandrill/spider monkey couple now have a better home and the capuchins have a much better new house . All but the 2 black mangabeys , still in quarantine , had both inside and outside areas available . Species seen not already mentioned - chimps in 3 groups total 9 , 5 gibbons including the pileated hybrid from Southport , 3 very lively vervets , 3 groups of b and w ruffed lemurs , mayotte brown lemurs , common marmosets , group of Hamadryas baboons on an island .
My problem was with 2 groups of baboons housed in adjoining cages with only a single mesh between them . There was a lot of tension between the big male olive baboon and the group of 4 hamadryas and 2 olives in the adjoining cage . The 3 female/juvenile olives with the big male were inside and one had quite a few cuts on it . I also saw rats in a lemur house .
A new small enclosure was being prepared for the wolf cubs previously mentioned . The two wolves already in residence certainly look like wolf hybrids to me . Also seen were a couple of porcupine , red foxes , barn owls and in the fields lots of ponies , donkeys , cattle , sheep and goats . The single lar gibbon Oliver who lives in an area of field surrounded by electric fence had a number of sheep grazing the grass in his pen .
Totally by chance I have just come back from Cefn-yr-Erw and learned about plans to move the Mole Hall chimps there .
I don't want to get too involved in the politics of Monkey sanctuaries but , for many , money does seem to be involved before they will accept primates . Some also seem to be selective about what they will accept - Monkeyworld now only seems to accept young chimps , I assume this is because trying to socialise older animals into their groups would be difficult .
Ok , Cefn-yr-Erw is not perfect but it does rely on donations and the income from visitors to pay its way so life must be tough . It certainly has a scruffy look to it . A notice says they know they are far from perfect and are happy to accept constructive criticism . On a sunny afternoon the surrounding hills are spectacular but it must be a bit grim there in cold , wet weather . In that respect a chimp retirement home in Spain would be a more attractive proposition .
Apart from one exception I found all the primates looking in good condition and behaving in a relaxed manner . Their housing would not win any awards but seemed acceptable to me - I am pleased to say the mandrill/spider monkey couple now have a better home and the capuchins have a much better new house . All but the 2 black mangabeys , still in quarantine , had both inside and outside areas available . Species seen not already mentioned - chimps in 3 groups total 9 , 5 gibbons including the pileated hybrid from Southport , 3 very lively vervets , 3 groups of b and w ruffed lemurs , mayotte brown lemurs , common marmosets , group of Hamadryas baboons on an island .
My problem was with 2 groups of baboons housed in adjoining cages with only a single mesh between them . There was a lot of tension between the big male olive baboon and the group of 4 hamadryas and 2 olives in the adjoining cage . The 3 female/juvenile olives with the big male were inside and one had quite a few cuts on it . I also saw rats in a lemur house .
A new small enclosure was being prepared for the wolf cubs previously mentioned . The two wolves already in residence certainly look like wolf hybrids to me . Also seen were a couple of porcupine , red foxes , barn owls and in the fields lots of ponies , donkeys , cattle , sheep and goats . The single lar gibbon Oliver who lives in an area of field surrounded by electric fence had a number of sheep grazing the grass in his pen .
I'm concerned that Cefn-yr-erw is not financially prepared to take care of the chimps from Mole Hall. The chimps are in their 40's, so the veterinary bill is going to be high in the years to come. Cefn-yr-erw seems to take in lots of animals without thinking about the financial cost of maintaining their facility. They are even asking for funds to build permanent quarters for their chimps currently in quarantine. In the end, I'm afraid the welfare of their animals will suffer. This is absolutely dangerous. We should have better regulation in the UK.
It's nice that Cefn-yr-erw 'rescues' animals that don't have anywhere else to go. But in this situation, Mole Hall had agreed for MONA sanctuary to take their chimps, and MONA-UK has already raised funds including a flight for the chimps. Why did Mole Hall make things more difficult for themselves? And Cefn-yr-erw should not have interfered with (or jumped on) a good campaign by MONA-UK.
Mona Foundation sanctuary does excellent work with their chimps (just watch "Chimp Diaries" on National Geo Wild). Joey and Tubman could have had a great retirement in Spain after spending so many years in a small enclosure.
taun
Well-Known Member
In keeping these animals Cefn-yr-erw are subject to inspections just like zoos, not much else you can do if the inspection say they are ok at the moment.
I don't understand why Mole hall have made things more differcuilt for themselves, they have just done what many other zoos do! So why is this any different?
GorillaFollower
Well-Known Member
I was thinking of going to Cefn-yr-erw myself in the next few weeks, so reading with interest about people's opinions on the place. Was going to stay in the bed and breakfast place there. Can anyone who has recently been there seen Vicki chimp the chimp. She is around 21 now and was originally from Dublin Zoo then unto Penscynor. Would love to know what sort of size group she is in and how she is?
Cheers!
Cheers!
Hi Gorilla Follower
I should imagine it would be an interesting experience staying at Cefn-yr-Erw with the sounds of gibbons , ruffed lemurs etc. to be heard .
With regards to Vicki - I am not certain if she is still there . The web-site still lists 12 chimps but I saw 9 and their new notice-board which I took a photo of lists 9 , numbers matching animals I saw in the 3 enclosures .
Vicki was one of 7 chimps that came from Penscynor and were housed in the large cage moved with them . The original animals were - Jeremy , Suzi , Twmi , Fergus , Neusi , Vicki and Winnie . Neusi died some years back and now the old female Winnie who lived in many collections over the years and Vicki no longer appear to be there .
The Southport brothers Jacky and Jason live in a much smaller cage attached to the same building as the Penscynor group .
In a cage on the back of the barn female Nakima was with either Ronnie , from Germany I think , or Freddie , one of the Causeway chimps - one male was on his own inside . No sign of Peter , the other Causeway chimp .
I was told the only animals in the barn are the black mangabeys , this being the case the 3 chimps Vicki , Winnie and Peter are no longer there .
Wonder if anybody can help with this .
I should imagine it would be an interesting experience staying at Cefn-yr-Erw with the sounds of gibbons , ruffed lemurs etc. to be heard .
With regards to Vicki - I am not certain if she is still there . The web-site still lists 12 chimps but I saw 9 and their new notice-board which I took a photo of lists 9 , numbers matching animals I saw in the 3 enclosures .
Vicki was one of 7 chimps that came from Penscynor and were housed in the large cage moved with them . The original animals were - Jeremy , Suzi , Twmi , Fergus , Neusi , Vicki and Winnie . Neusi died some years back and now the old female Winnie who lived in many collections over the years and Vicki no longer appear to be there .
The Southport brothers Jacky and Jason live in a much smaller cage attached to the same building as the Penscynor group .
In a cage on the back of the barn female Nakima was with either Ronnie , from Germany I think , or Freddie , one of the Causeway chimps - one male was on his own inside . No sign of Peter , the other Causeway chimp .
I was told the only animals in the barn are the black mangabeys , this being the case the 3 chimps Vicki , Winnie and Peter are no longer there .
Wonder if anybody can help with this .
GorillaFollower
Well-Known Member
Hi Bele,
Thanks so much for letting me know and for the general info about the chimps. Yes I do wonder if Vicki is there, I haven't met Freddie but I do remember when he escaped about 13 years ago. If anyone does know of the whereabouts of Vicki I would be very grateful.
Had you seen Neusi before she died ? I remember her so very well from London Zoo when in with Kumi and Joema, who I am also trying to find. I think they are at Rostov but cannot find any info. I have a thread here on ZooBeat to try to find them.
I remember Neusi's lower lip often hanging down and she always had an air of superiorty about her! I went to see her at Welsh Mountain after she left London but that was about 15 years ago so would love to have known what she was like as an adult.
Thanks for your helpful return.
GorillaFollower
Well-Known Member
Thanks, anyway and for the previous info. Not sure as to why Penscynor closed? Was there about 10 years ago for a flying visit and met one of the keepers who was very helpful.
anyway and for the previous info. Not sure as to why Penscynor closed? Was there about 10 years ago for a flying visit and met one of the keepers who was very helpful.Clawedtoad
Member
I was thinking of going to Cefn-yr-erw myself in the next few weeks, so reading with interest about people's opinions on the place. Was going to stay in the bed and breakfast place there. Can anyone who has recently been there seen Vicki chimp the chimp. She is around 21 now and was originally from Dublin Zoo then unto Penscynor. Would love to know what sort of size group she is in and how she is?
Cheers!
I've never been, but I'm hearing that it has an eclectic mix of animals, including a dog/wolf in a cage. I would be curious to hear what you think if you do visit Cefn-yr-erw. Many seem to complain about the primate enclosures (read previous posts here). I've heard the primates there look like they have lost the will to live because they are living in small and very basic enclosures. According to a post from Cefn-yr-erw on Myspace, they admitted that the animals should be in bigger and better enclosures, but they don't have funds for the upkeep. Guess zoo regulations are fairly relaxed in Wales. Apparently you can get very close to the animals, which some visitors probably will like (not really a good thing in my opinion).
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easytigger
Well-Known Member
Hi Bele,
Thanks so much for letting me know and for the general info about the chimps. Yes I do wonder if Vicki is there, I haven't met Freddie but I do remember when he escaped about 13 years ago. If anyone does know of the whereabouts of Vicki I would be very grateful.
Had you seen Neusi before she died ? I remember her so very well from London Zoo when in with Kumi and Joema, who I am also trying to find. I think they are at Rostov but cannot find any info. I have a thread here on ZooBeat to try to find them.
I remember Neusi's lower lip often hanging down and she always had an air of superiorty about her! I went to see her at Welsh Mountain after she left London but that was about 15 years ago so would love to have known what she was like as an adult.
Thanks for your helpful return.
I cut my zoological teeth at penscynor as a trainee keeper from 92-94, I didn't have much to do with the chimps but remember them all fondly.
Neusi was a character, quite nervous, sometimes hugging piles of straw, and she used to stick her tongue out and wiggling it from side to side and sometimes blowing raspberries to get attention.
I think given the dynamics of the group being with so many hand reared chimps and in penscynors erm dated.... facilities she did remarkably well.
Nick
Was there a group of Sooty Mangabey Monkeys during your time there, and do you know what happened to them after it closed?
easytigger
Well-Known Member
There was actually 3 groups there when I left, one in the smallish enclosure by the reptile house, the main group the enclosure with the tunnel linking the house and a trio in a small round enclosure next door to the main enclosure.
They were all there when I left so not entirely sure, I'm still in touch with one of the keepers who was there near the end so will see if he can remember who went were
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
I think they went to Newquay,which later sent them to a primate rescue centre in Southern Ireland.
I'd be very interested to know. They seem to have disappeared after Penscynor apart from possibly one pair. Was there an old pair called 'Ramrod' & 'Ginger' among them do you know?
Mystery of the Mangabeys
Newquay's old pair were called 'Ramrod' & 'Ginger.' and yes they moved to Ireland.
This pair went there from Tenby but they could have been at Penscynor before that (trying to find out) There was quite a large group of them at Penscynor though- they went there from ZSL who had built up a group in the Sobell Pavilions from various odd animals that came from places such as Chester.
Newquay's old pair were called 'Ramrod' & 'Ginger.' and yes they moved to Ireland.
This pair went there from Tenby but they could have been at Penscynor before that (trying to find out) There was quite a large group of them at Penscynor though- they went there from ZSL who had built up a group in the Sobell Pavilions from various odd animals that came from places such as Chester.
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