Cornish monkey sanctuary faces "real danger of closing"

Wild Futures in Looe is appealing for donations, with Ricky Gervais among those tweeting support

Author: Megan PricePublished 13th Oct 2022
Last updated 13th Oct 2022

Looe Monkey sanctuary is calling for support from the public due to risk of closure from rising costs.

Wild Futures in Looe has warned they are not raising enough money to afford rising prices, including energy bills.

They were also faced with other complications over the past years as a result of Covid and Brexit.

Rachel Hevesi, Director at Wild Futures, said: "It's a really difficult time for our charity and the sanctuary. It's something we hoped would never come to us.

"So many different challenges all coming on top of the other. Any other time we'd have enough reserve and strategy to recover. Our energy bills just skyrocketing so it's been one punch after another".

Rachel has described the sanctuary to be in a "cash flow crisis".

"We've had to look ahead and say we can't wait until last minute; we have to do something now and hence we're asking for help".

The charity is calling for support from the public to donate and help them survive and remain open during what they say is a "hard time for everyone".

One of those showing their support online is Ricky Gervais, who tweeted to call for people to donate to the cause.

The current site looks after and provides a home for monkeys who have been rescued from neglectful homes.

Rachel continued: "They've had a great deal of suffering and we have offered them a home for life and a space to recover. We are inspired everyday about how they take on that challenge themselves and regain their health.

"We have to make sure that home remains for them and that's what we're focusing on. There are so few places in that country that are available to them so we have to make sure the Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall is the place they can stay".

You can read more about the charity's SOS appeal on the Wild Futures website.

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