Our Story
Founded and run by Peruvians
In August 1997, the 450 hectares of land that Monkey Island sits on was donated by the Peruvian government for use as a monkey sanctuary. The first eight years were spent rejuvenating the island by planting over 70 species of trees and fruit, and efforts continue to expand the diversity of the island’s habitat. Now full of fauna and flora, the sanctuary strives to create a self-sustaining environment for the monkeys to live free.
The founder, Gilberto, grew up in a small community in the Amazon jungle. He worked for many years with tourists at a lodge near the island, which was surrounded by wildlife, including monkeys.
Growing up in an area where monkeys are commonly sold as pets and hunted for meat, Gilberto decided to start a rescue and release program. He strongly believed in the importance of protecting local wildlife. After petitioning the government, Gilberto was gifted the barely inhabited island to use as a monkey sanctuary.
However, the government did not provide any funding, and it took nine years to convert the island from an overgrown, over-farmed forest into a sustainable habitat for rescued monkeys.
Tita, Anibal, Jair and Lucero – a small part of our island family who live and work with the monkeys.
After nine years of replanting, clearing, and building a small centre, the first monkeys were introduced to the island. All were victims of the illegal pet trade in Perú, rescued by police, vets, and concerned citizens.
La Isla de Los Monos never turns away a monkey, unlike some tourist centres that avoid spending money on small babies that might not survive.
How We Care For Each Monkey
Rescue
The animal trade in Peru continues to displace baby monkeys from their mothers in the name of souvenirs, trophies and meat. Any monkeys we receive are first quarantined and checked by a vet to understand their condition and treated as required. We feed all babies essential nutrients they lack without their mother’s milk and through being kept in poor conditions in peoples homes.
Rehabilitate
Once they are fit enough we introduce the monkey to the island and integrate them with our existing monkey family. For younger monkeys we must spend our time building their strength, trust and confidence while letting them live in a cage free environment.
Release
The Monkey Island has many priorities and this is a top one!
When we receive or raise monkeys that are old and strong enough to be released we need to do it properly and as the law requires.
Releasing monkeys requires many months closely studying the habitat for sustainability and suitability. The procedure is expensive and we do not have enough resources to release all of the monkeys. It is for this reason that we turn to you. To ask for your help to fulfil our purpose, as we want to see these animals in their habitat and not in a cage.
