Rescued monkeys return to the wild
Blog
Thanks to the generosity of people like you, rescued monkeys are returning to the wild.
Jono’s journey back to the wild
Jono and 30 other macaques were rescued from lives of exploitation as “dancing monkeys” in Indonesia, where they were forced to perform tricks for crowds after being taken from the wild as babies. Many spent years chained, confined and living in fear.
Today, thanks to compassionate supporters like you, several of the rescued monkeys have finally reached their new forest home. Here’s a look at the long journey that brought them there.
Image courtesy of Jakarta Animal Aid Network.
Safety, care and healing
After arriving with our partners at Jakarta Animal Aid Network, the monkeys first underwent medical treatment and quarantine to help them recover safely. Many arrived frightened, injured and deeply traumatized.
Slowly, the monkeys began to heal.
Image courtesy of Jakarta Animal Aid Network.
Learning how to be monkeys again
Once they were healthy enough, the monkeys were carefully introduced into small social groups. Over time, they began grooming one another, climbing, playing and exploring together again.
For monkeys like Jono, who had spent years performing on busy streets instead of living in the wild, these moments were incredibly important. Little by little, they began acting like monkeys again.
Image courtesy of Jakarta Animal Aid Network.
Preparing for life in the wild
As the monkeys grew stronger and more confident, enrichment activities helped them practice natural behaviours they would need to survive in the forest.
Jono himself transformed into a calm and confident leader for his new little family group.
The journey home
After months of rehabilitation, the monkeys began the long journey to their new forest home by truck, boat and finally through dense tropical forest.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: the transport crates were opened. Some monkeys stepped out cautiously. Others climbed immediately into the trees. Jono explored the forest alongside his new family, grooming, climbing and acting like a wild monkey again.
Watching the monkeys explore their new home was an emotional reminder of just how far they’ve come. And because of supporters like you, this work not only helps rescue animals from exploitation, but also helps tackle these issues at the source so animals like Jono never have to suffer this way again.
Image courtesy of Jakarta Animal Aid Network.
Jono in pre release enclosure (Image courtesy of Jakarta Animal Aid Network)
Unyil. (Image courtesy of Jakarta Animal Aid Network)
All images, including banner, courtesy of Jakarta Animal Aid Network.