So many monkeys in need, so few resources:
The Wildlife Care Center of Belize has had access to very limited resources and as a result only animals with the greatest release potential have been accepted into the program.
However, the illegal pet trade in Belize has continued to increase and the need for a facility to accept all confiscated and rescued primates is urgent.
 
Rescue: Any monkey that has been taken from the wild, particularly young babies will require specialist 24 hour care within an enriching and appropriate environment. This is a crucial time for potential rehabilitation cases: inappropriate care at this point may condemn a young monkey to a life in captivity.
 
Rehabilitation and Release: Those monkeys suitable for rehabilitation will eventually be released into the wild. This is a long process: the monkey has to learn to feed itself, to care for its own needs and to socialize appropriately with members of its own species.
 
Long-Term Animal Care: Those suffering from physical and behavioral issues as a result of capture or captivity are likely to be unsuitable for release. These animals will require permanent life-long care within a controlled but suitable environment where they can socialize with others of their kind, living out their lives in the most natural and fulfilling way possible.
 
Education & Research: Controlling the illegal trade in wildlife will only happen with targeted public awareness programs emphasized by increased and rigorous wildlife enforcement.
Long-term housing for confiscated animals is a crucial part of this endeavor: without a containment facility, seizures are largely impractical and will result in euthanasia. Continued research is needed to gauge the success of the release programs and the impact that enforcement and education is having on the wild populations.
 
 
Your donations will provide:
 

• Food and veterinary care for the animals;

• Additional caging and pre-release enclosures;

• Surveys to identify future release sites for rehabilitated howler and spider monkeys;

• Long-term post-release monitoring of released monkeys;

• Development of guidelines for tourism;

• Recommendations for the conservation of monkey populations and habitat;

• Basic living expenses for the director plus one assistant;

• 4-wheel drive truck for rescue and transportation of monkeys;

• Vital research programs

• Collaborations on public awareness programs aimed at eliminating the wildlife pet trade and inspiring empathy, compassion and conservation of wildlife.

 
In-kind contributions:
Unused frequent flyer miles to attend conferences, workshops, fund raising effort
 
 
 
 
 
 
Robin Brockett
Director