Rescued dancing monkeys released to island paradise 02 January 2020

Animals Asia recently supported Indonesian organisation Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) in the wild release of 40 dancing monkeys rescued from the streets of Java.

These macaque monkeys were all rescued from the streets of West Java and East Java in 2017 and 2018. The monkeys were forced to dance and in many cases wear masks over their heads. For the wild monkeys this is an acutely traumatic experience. After their rescue and three months of quarantine, they undergo a very long and important socialisation period. Once stable groups are formed and all the primates in the groups accept natural food, they are ready for release.

Our captive animal welfare team supported JAAN who were assisted by a large group of volunteers to relocate the primates on 3 December. In two groups the monkeys were transported to a remote island. The government had issued special permits giving permission for the release of the rescued monkeys.

There, on the beautiful island off the coast of Java, a nature reserve has been established where no visitors are allowed. The primates were placed inside pre-release cages and after a week they were released into the forest. The team is still monitoring their conditions to make sure they are adjusting well to their new found freedom.

A spokesperson for JAAN said:

"Here are the first pictures of the team from the relocation of 40 ex-dancing monkeys to the release site, a beautiful, very pristine and safe island! Thank you so much for your support!”.

Dave Neale Animals Asia’s Animal Welfare Director said:

“It’s fantastic to see the culmination of this rescue and the monkey’s being released to their own desert island. The release of these primates is the end goal that makes all of the hard work that has gone before worthwhile. From the investigation, to the rescue, to the care during their quarantine and animal behaviour expertise used in their socialisation, as well as liaising with the authorities to ensure the monkeys will be safe from harm in the future, I couldn’t be prouder of Animals Asia’s involvement.”

Animals Asia is very proud to have supported this relocation. No longer will these macaques have to dance in the name of ‘entertainment’. Now they are protected from human interference on an island paradise, they are free to socialise with each other and just be monkeys, as nature intended.