Hi there!
We hope 2025 is off to a wonderful start and you enjoyed your festive season with loved ones – can you believe it’s already February?! It’s been a while since we’ve sent out a newsletter (we’ve been writing this since December!), and it’s because the island has been busier than ever! Our sanctuary is growing, and with your incredible support, we’ve been able to accomplish so much.
Let’s dive into the latest updates from the island…
Over the past few months, we’ve welcomed several new animals who have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and unsafe conditions. Working with SERFOR, UPA, and other incredible organisations, we’ve provided a safe haven for:
Each of these rescues represents a victory against animal trafficking and a step toward conserving Peru’s incredible biodiversity.
A little about our work with SERFOR and UPA
These two organisations work hand in hand to confiscate animals from trafficking (SERFOR – a part of the government), and relocate them to animal rescue centres (UPA).
Some recent words from UPA about their experience working with the island (translated)
“UPA has been working with 9 rescue centers and one of them is La Isla de los Monos, which has space to keep species in semi-freedom and in good conditions. Now with the new rehabilitation program we believe that better things can be done with the species that have a chance of being rehabilitated and perhaps reintroduced to their natural habitat, so we are very happy to be able to work hand in hand with Isla de los Monos.”
We are excited to share the progress on our key initiatives aimed at enhancing the sanctuary. These projects are crucial for improving the living conditions of our rescued animals and ensuring the sanctuary’s sustainability.
New Kitchen Construction: Our current kitchen is deteriorating in the challenging jungle environment. We started the construction of a new kitchen in 2020(!) but after completing the basic structure the pandemic stopped work for a long time. We are happy to announce that thanks to new donations we have re-started work to lay the floor and seal the building! The next step will be purchasing and installing essential fixtures like sinks, storage, surfaces etc. A functional kitchen is vital for our daily operations and the well-being of our team and animals.
Veterinary Centre Development: Many rescued monkeys arrive in poor health, necessitating immediate medical attention from our vet in Iquitos. To provide specialized care here on site, we are establishing a veterinary centre. This facility will offer a safe space for quarantine, medical treatments, and rehabilitation, ensuring that all monkeys receive the best possible care to heal and thrive. Our goal is to finish the new kitchen and use the old one as a temporary space until we can raise the required money to build a dedicated space for monkeys.
Solar Capacity Expansion: To reduce our reliance on gasoline generators and promote sustainability, we are working on upgrading our solar power system. Enhancing our solar capacity will provide a more reliable and eco-friendly energy source, supporting the sanctuary’s operations and minimizing our environmental footprint.
Our Education Programme continues to be a cornerstone of our mission. We’ve been working with local schools, visitors, and community groups to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and the dangers of animal trafficking.
Through interactive workshops and guided tours, we’re inspiring people of all ages to become champions for wildlife.
— Some quotes from a recent online Zoom virtual class with a brilliant volunteer KC and her class of students
“Jair understood my Spanish, that was the first time I’ve spoken to a native Spanish speaker. I’m so excited to know I can actually use my Spanish!“
“We feel connected to La Isla and even have a fundraiser to support the rescue. Our Zoom with La Isla was my favorite activity of the year. “
“We learned so much about the monkeys and animal trafficking, I have never learned about this before.”
We couldn’t do any of this without your support. Here are some ways you can make a difference:
💸 Donate:
Your donations keep the island running and allow us to rescue more animals, provide them with the care they need, and continue our fight against animal trafficking.
🛒 Amazon Wishlist:
We’ve created an Amazon Wishlist filled with items that will help care for our rescued animals, from enrichment tools to essential supplies. Every item makes a huge difference in their lives.
👕 New Merchandise:
We’ve launched new merchandise, including t-shirts and more! Every purchase directly supports our mission to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife.
Shop the supporters collection here.
From the moment I arrived, I was in awe of the magnificence of the monkeys and the Amazon jungle. Seeing the monkeys for the first time—and then getting to work with them closely over the next ten days—was truly more magical than I could have ever imagined.
Overall, my favorite part of the experience was getting to observe the monkeys on a daily basis—simply watching them be monkeys was such a privilege.
Some interesting (and heartbreaking) statistics from the research paper “The Threats Facing Amazonian Primates”:
– In Peru’s largest Amazonian city, Iquitos, an estimated 28,000 primate carcasses are traded annually, with yearly increases paralleling urban population growth (Mayor et al., 2022).
A study of live wildlife sales and confiscations in 13 urban markets across Peru (2007–2012) revealed that almost half of all mammals traded or seized were primates (Mendoza et al., 2022).
– The Amazonian nations of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador have the highest diversity of primate species and the greatest number of species harvested for wild meat. Among the most commonly hunted taxa are howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.), spider monkeys (Ateles spp.), and woolly monkeys (Lagothrix spp.) (Peres and Dolman, 2000; Shanee et al., 2017).
Source: Garber, P. A., et al. (2024). Global wildlife trade and trafficking contribute to the world’s nonhuman primate conservation crisis. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 5, Article 1400613.
You can read more from this important study here:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/conservation-science/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1400613/full
It means the world to us and the animals who call the island home. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for Amazonian wildlife.
With gratitude,
Gilberto and the Team at La Isla de los Monos
Follow us on social media to see daily updates and behind-the-scenes moments with the animals you’re helping to protect:
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