At last! After years spent in a research laboratory, Maude and Elsie, two middle-aged female rhesus macaques, have a brighter future to look forward to. They have just begun a new life at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
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Their future now includes years of freedom in a spacious, naturally enriched environment with others of their kind. No longer experimental subjects, for the first time they have the chance to move freely and make choices about their companions, food, and play.
However, it’s not the end of their story. We need your help today to ensure that the future for Maude and Elsie is secure. We cannot guarantee these monkeys the lifetime of quality care they so deserve without your financial support. This lifetime of care will cost us at least $16,000. It sounds a lot, but over the next 10 years that’s just a fraction over $2 a day each — to provide them a life worth living.
Your generous gift today will make all the difference for Maude and Elsie.
When making your donation, please put “for the monkeys” in the comments field.
Of course, they are the lucky ones. Not all primates now in laboratories will be retired to sanctuaries. They are often sold to other establishments or simply killed. For Maude and Elsie, however, the research staff made the welcome decision to retire them. Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute eagerly stepped in to ensure these macaques had a new, brighter place to call home.
On their first day of freedom, at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, Maude and Elsie seemed overwhelmed by the new sights, sounds, and smells as they were released into one of our semi-natural enclosures. They immediately climbed as high as they could and simply spent time sitting and looking around them. They were especially fascinated by the other monkeys in neighboring enclosures.
It was not long, however, before they actively started to explore their new environment. Despite their background and lack of agility, they were curious and enthusiastically walked across “skyways” and branches. Although initially wary of the ground, within an hour or so they ventured down and Maude started to pull and eat grass.
What a wonderful and heartwarming sight … monkeys who hours before had been housed in laboratory cages, now enjoying the warmth of the sun on their bodies, the texture of the soil beneath their feet and the touch and taste of grass!
Tragically, every year, hundreds of primates are in need of a home — whether retired from the research industry or casualties from the “pet” trade and entertainment business. For many of these individuals, the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary may be their only hope. They are counting on our commitment to rescue and rehabilitate as many animals in need as we can. And to do this we rely on your help.
Just think, for less than $4.50 a day these girls can now enjoy the quality of life they deserve. Please donate today to ensure a brighter tomorrow for these primates and for other individuals like them. It’s a small price to pay for their freedom.
When making your donation, please put “for the monkeys” in the comments field.
Even More Good News
Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute also recently helped with another primate rescue. An 8-year-old, black-tufted marmoset called Lilo, kept as a household “pet,” was recently confiscated by Animal Care & Control in San Francisco. Lilo is now enjoying his new life at a sanctuary which has other marmosets, where he will have the opportunity to live out the rest of his days in a spacious and natural environment.
As you can see, Born Free USA United with API is good news for primates in need. Your support helps to guarantee it!