Sanctuaries serve many purposes for the primates who find themselves there. First and foremost, it is a place of refuge offering protection. More than that though, it is a place where a primate can be understood in order to be rehabilitated both physically and mentally. Part of this rehabilitation is the reintroduction to members of it’s own species, for to truly begin healing, that animal must begin to understand who it is.

Monkeyland is a unique primate refuge – It provides the primates whom live there with a stable environment, one with permanence and one where there is definitely no exploitation. At this sanctuary care exceeds regulations regarding animal welfare.

A true sanctuary must make no demands on their charges such as unnecessary dental extractions or alterations of their natural state. Their resocialation should be for their benefit alone, and not to benefit humans who wish to obtain their offspring. The sanctuary must also benefit ALL the animals in their care, not just a chosen few. None must be sacrificed in order that others’ care can be paid for. Sanctuaries must benefit all the animals they exist for. The caretaker’s mission is truly altruistic – unselfish in his / her duties.

Those who have great love and concern for primates, must also be altruistic. We must support all legitimate sanctuaries by helping them in any way we can, financially, morally, and by spreading the word of the work they do. We have another obligation, to uphold the true meaning of the word. Beware of misrepresentation. There are many who consider themselves sanctuaries, taking money under false pretences while not abiding by the moral and ethical standards of the responsibility.