Wild Futures Winter/Spring Newsletter 2023

Fantastic
Fundraisers
Since launching the Save Our
Sanctuary appeal, we have been
overwhelmed by the love and
support that so many of you have
shown us. Here is a quick shoutout
to some of our wonderful
supporters who have done some
fantastic fundraising for us over
the past few months:
• Seven-year-old Eden
completed a 1,000m
swim for Wild Futures in
November 2022, raising
over £650 for the Save Our
Sanctuary appeal – thank
you Eden!
• Long-term supporter and
adopter Karl ran a 10K for
Wild Futures in January
2023. He raised an amazing
£270 for our charity – thank
you so much Karl!
Karl
• Wild Futures Ambassador
William did a sponsored hike
benefitting Wild Futures in
December 2022 and, whilst
hiking, he also did a litter
pick. William raised over
£215! Such a wonderful way
to give to charity and also to
the environment – thank you
William!
William
• Ambassador Suzanne ran
an art sale for Wild Futures
on her Instagram account,
selling her unique pieces in
support of our appeal and
raised £100 in total – thank
you Suzanne!
Volunteer Profile:
Frances
How and when did you first get involved
with Wild Futures?
I arrived at Wild Futures’ Monkey
Sanctuary in March 2019 and have been
volunteering regularly ever since. Luckily,
I live down the road from the monkeys
and after having a rather dull couple
of years, I was looking for a change,
a good experience, and somewhere
to work alongside others who share
similar interests. I’ve always loved caring
for animals, and my mum suggested
volunteering at the sanctuary - I’m glad I
took her advice!
What does a day volunteering at Wild
Futures look like?
I really do look forward to my days at
the sanctuary every week, making all the
different foods for the monkeys, getting
creative to keep these intelligent primates
occupied by hiding treats in recycled
pots and boxes etc. Having a laugh with
the amazing staff and fellow volunteers
around me whilst working hard to keep
the sanctuary maintained. I even enjoy
getting stuck in to the essential dirty
work of cleaning enclosures. I’m happy
knowing how much all this helps make
the monkeys lives that bit better. And
I’m always learning something new!
Chopping food for the monkey’s lunch
What challenges have you faced whilst
volunteering at Wild Futures?
As I have been a volunteer for a while I
am often the one to teach new volunteers
the jobs we do here at Wild Futures.
Teaching is just one of the many things
I have learned, which I value from my
time here. Another is speaking in public,
although I’m shy, I really do enjoy giving
visitors talks about the rescued monkeys
and the UK primate pet trade - it is very
rewarding.
Frances picking leaves for the monkeys
Working around these rescued monkeys
has enlightened my view on primates
(and other animals) on what it means to
be kept in captivity…and whether they
should be at all.
What inspires you to volunteer?
The monkeys and what they have been
through as a result of being kept as a pet,
is enough to keep me supporting the
charity. Also other things, like being at
such a unique place. Where else are you
going to find a large mid-19th century
Gothic house within which live the most
amazing people that care for monkeys
and wildlife, perched on the cliffs of
Cornwall!?
Making enrichment for the monkeys
I also have a deep connection with the
place, living nearby all my life, and my
parents and grandparents lives before
me. It’s important to keep it alive. And
I often say, this place is a sanctuary for
monkeys and humans alike.
What do you hope to achieve in the
future?
Though it is such a unique place, it would
be best if it didn’t have to exist for rescuing
monkeys. If it didn’t have to rescue
them from being pets, if it didn’t have to
campaign against primate cruelty and the
legal UK primate pet trade, and if it didn’t
have to strive to protect the habitats in
which primates live. That is the future that
I hope to help Wild Futures achieve!
4 www.wildfutures.org | info@wildfutures.org | www.monkeysanctuary.org