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| Last updated on September 24, 2008 |
Pacific Primate Sanctuary is a federally authorized, non-profit wildlife conservation refuge, dedicated to the protection and preservation of threatened, endangered and abused new world monkeys.
Description:
Description of our current programs and activities:
Pacific Primate Sanctuary offers refuge and protection to Central and South America primates, particularly threatened marmoset and tamarin monkeys. Our work at the Sanctuary includes providing the rehabilitative care, which enables primates to recover from the trauma and abuse that they have suffered. We create habitats for primate families to live in safe, natural surroundings. The tropical rain forest of Maui's north shore is very similar to their natural environments thus allowing the primates to be outdoors year round.
Currently there are 17 non-salaried volunteers responsible for the daily care and operation of the Sanctuary. Over the past 20 years, many of our volunteers have been students. The extensive training they receive at the Sanctuary and their exposure to the philosophy and practice of wildlife conservation has been of great importance to their academic, personal and, ultimately, their professional growth.
On the average, volunteer animal caretakers contribute about 5,500 hours per year. Our two veterinarians donate about 50 hours yearly. The total monetary value of our volunteer labor is in excess of $91, 800 per year.
Our innovative zoological horticulture program started ten years ago in an effort to provide more "natural" food and forage for the primates. As most rain forest vegetation grows well here, we have started hundreds of trees from seeds to vegetate the habitats for each colony of monkeys. Some marmosets and tamarins have been found to be gumivores (eating exudates from gum trees), and therefore they have special dietary needs. Particular emphasis has been placed on growing plant species related to South American sources of gum, so essential to their diet. The 20 new enclosures have been planted with these species.
- Environmental Education program:
Representatives of Pacific Primate Sanctuary offer presentations on the subjects of endangered species, rain forest preservation and the changing global environment. Several schools have "adopted" the Sanctuary as their Community Service Project. Many of our Volunteers are participants in our student mentorship program. Our objective is to assist our children in becoming environmental stewards, educators and problem solvers.
Primatology students and professionals in related fields are selected by our Board for year long resident internships at the Sanctuary providing the unique opportunity of receiving training in all aspects of New World primate care and husbandry. Interns live on site and can observe the monkeys housed in social groups in a naturalistic tropical setting similar to their native jungles which are often inaccessible.
History:
Since 1984, Pacific Primate Sanctuary has maintained a federally authorized conservation program for threatened and endangered New World Monkeys. We are a nonprofit organization, with a volunteer staff, operating solely on moneys donated from interested parties.
For over 20 years we have successfully rehabilitated and cared for compromised primates. Many have recovered and been able to form social groups. With the support of our Advisory Board and a worldwide network of primatologists, we have developed a successful rehabilitation and propagation program. Our staff has maintained detailed records and documented complete animal care protocol for over ten years. We have experiential knowledge of optimal primate maintenance and habitat requirements.
"On all inspection visits, the facility has met or exceeded all standards set by the USDA. I would describe the operation as a model facility. The knowledge and compassion for the animals are abundantly evident in the excellent care provided for them.”
—Dr. Elizabeth Lyons, inspecting USDA Veterinary Medical Officer.
There are currently over 70 New World monkeys at our refuge. We acquired some of these primates from research laboratories, others were confiscated from smugglers by government agencies, several were former pets, and many were born at Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (808) 572-8089
Address:
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PO Box 799
Haiku, HI 96708 |
Web Site: http://www.pacificprimate.org
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