Donate £10
A donation of £10 could help feed a monkey like Unyil a healthy diet of fruit and insects while they regain their strength.
Help 31 Rescued Monkeys Return to the Wild
Donate nowTurn Trauma into Triumph for 31 Rescued Monkeys
Thanks to our amazing supporters, 31 macaques were saved from the last known dancing monkey ‘training’ centre in Indonesia. No more chains. No more beatings. No more being forced to perform for human entertainment. But their journey to freedom has only just begun.
Donate £20
A donation of £20 could provide toys and climbing structures to encourage natural behaviours.
Donate £30
A donation of £30 could fund urgent vet care like dental surgery and parasite treatment.
The 31 monkeys are currently at Jakarta Animal Aid Network’s (JAAN) sanctuary. Thanks to JAAN’s expertise, these monkeys have an incredibly rare opportunity – to return to the wild. But first, they must recover.
Each one needs expert care to heal from trauma and learn how to live like wild animals again. With the right support, they could be released onto a protected, uninhabited island off the coast of Java — lush, quiet, and full of the life they were denied.
Jono and Unyil have only ever known cruelty
Jono spent years locked in a tiny box, only let out to perform. His teeth were ripped out so he couldn’t bite — leaving him in pain and unable to eat properly.
Unyil was stolen from the wild as a baby
He was chained and starved. When tied up near Jono, he’d try to reach for comfort — but could never quite get close enough.
Like the others, they carry physical and emotional scars. But they are intelligent and can learn. And with the right support, they can recover.
Updates on the monkeys
Update April 2025:
Jono entered the socialisation cage with Unyil, Panjul, and eight other rescued ex-dancing monkeys. During his first week, he showed some pacing—likely a response to his past trauma. He was seen doing this about twice a day, but by the end of the first week, the behaviour stopped.
Update June 2025:
The group of 11 is now living together full-time, day and night. Jono has become more confident and engaged with others. He’s adjusting well and may grow into a leadership role with time.
Will you help them return to the wild where they belong?
Most rescued monkeys will never return to the wild. But thanks to JAAN’s proven success — with 498 monkeys already released — these 31have a once-in-a-lifetime chance. The sooner their recovery begins, the greater their chance of survival.
Donate nowMore ways to give
If you would like to donate over the phone, please call our Supporter Care team on:
0800 316 9966
(Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm)
We will use your donation where the need is greatest to protect animals, like those featured in this appeal, from cruelty and suffering.
Image credits: Images are by JAAN (Jakarta Animal Aid Network)