A monkey sanctuary used by scientists for decades to conduct groundbreaking evolutionary research has been completely devastated by Hurricane Maria.

In the 1938 more than 400 rhesus macaques were released on to Cayo Santiago, located off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico, by American primatologist Clarence Ray Carpenter.

For nearly 80 years, the research facility, dubbed ‘Monkey Island’ has been used by scores of institutions to carry out studies in primate behaviour, cognition and evolution and is the longest running field site in the world.

However at the end of September, Hurricane Maria struck the island, sending the startled monkeys running for cover, ripping apart the mainland research station and cutting off fresh water supplies and electricity.