A New Year’s Wish

Teddy, a rescued vervet who
joined the Sanctuary this year.

It’s hard to believe that another year has passed, but there’s no denying it at this late date. We have had an eventful 12 months as we welcomed home little Teddy the vervet (pictured to the right) and, more recently, Takara, a lovely female snow monkey.

We have endured minor floods, scorching temperatures, and an exhausting work schedule. New enclosures are being constructed to replace outdated structures and staff continues to find new ways to enrich each primate’s life.[teaserbreak]

The monkeys have also had a full year as they negotiated new social opportunities, dealt with illness, and explored new areas and enriched housing.

We’ve said sad goodbyes to some of the monkeys who passed on, but have eased our hearts with the knowledge that they were well cared for, respected for who they were, and encouraged to be themselves.

And, perhaps that’s the one thing that sticks in my mind most: just how important and valuable it is to allow others to simply be who and what they are.

Each monkey (or tiger, or pangolin, or…) who is bred or otherwise forced into captivity is another wounded life living an unnatural lie.

We’ll continue to pick up the pieces and provide lives as free as possible for our charges, but all the while, we’ll be hoping for the day when there’s no longer a need.

Here’s to a new year filled with hope, compassion, and respect for all life.

For the primates,

Tim