A family of long-tailed macaque monkeys playing in nature in Singapore.

Monkey Freedom Project Hub

Welcome to the Monkey Freedom Project!

Keep an eye on this hub for all the latest news on Jono, Meli, Unyil and the 28 other rescued monkeys as they progress on their journey back to the wild. Thank you for making this incredible project possible. 

 

Status: Quarantine

The monkeys are currently in the quarantine stage of their recovery journey. Make sure to check this page for regular updates on their progress.

 

Meet the monkeys

Behind every rescue is a story of survival, resilience, and hope. Meet the incredible monkeys you’re helping heal and see how your support is giving them a second chance at life.

Meet the monkeys

 

 

More information:

 

Monkey peaking through a tyre

Dancing Monkeys Gallery

These incredible long tailed macaques were recently rescued from a dreadful life in the Indonesian entertainment industry. Please see the gallery below for some images of these monkeys before and after they were rescued.

A photo collage of Unyil, a rescued monkey. The left image shows him happily eating fruit, while the right image depicts him in captivity, tethered by a leash.

Meet Unyil – 1 of 31 rescued dancing monkeys

Our incredible supporters helped rescue Unyil, 1 of 31 monkeys saved from the abusive dancing monkey trade in Indonesia. Watch the short video about Unyil's rescue.

Monkeys being kept in a cage

Dancing monkeys rescued from Indonesia's last training centre

Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN), with support from World Animal Protection, has saved a troupe of 31 macaque monkeys from Indonesia’s last remaining ‘monkey dance training village’.

A monkey kept in a cage

A lifetime of suffering has come to an end for young Unyil

Unyil was made to be a "dancing monkey," and trained from just 10 months old to perform unnatural tasks for entertainment.

A monkey being medically examined after its rescue

Jono's journey

Life for Indonesia’s dancing monkeys, including Jono, was one long cycle of misery and cruelty.