Monkey Freedom Project: Meet Unyil
Blog
Unyil was just a baby when he was taken from the forest - his mother killed in the process.
Age: Approximately 2 years old
Rescue location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Time in captivity: Over 1 year
At only 10 months old, he was already being trained to perform: dressed in clothes, made to hold a bucket for money, forced to walk on stilts, and perform tricks like the "fall dead" pose. When not on the streets, Unyil was kept in a dark box or chained in a line of monkeys - alone, frightened, and longing for comfort.
One heartbreaking detail from his rescue still lingers: Unyil was often placed near Jono, an older monkey, and would try to reach out to him - but was never allowed to touch. That simple act of seeking comfort says so much about how deeply this little monkey craved connection.
Now safe at the JAAN sanctuary, Unyil is slowly beginning to recover. He arrived underweight, dehydrated, and terrified - screaming when approached. But with time, nutritious food, and the care of the dedicated staff, he’s become more relaxed, curious, and has started gaining healthy weight. Thankfully, his teeth are intact - he still has his baby teeth - and he’s receiving vitamins and parasite treatments to build his strength.
Though he’s still in quarantine and not yet socialised, Unyil spends his days watching the other monkeys with quiet fascination. He hasn’t begun to play yet, but his interest in the world around him is growing. Once he’s ready, the team hopes to introduce him to a group where, as one of the youngest, he’ll be warmly accepted and nurtured by the older females - perhaps even finding the mother figure he never had.
Thanks to your support, Unyil has a chance at the life that was stolen from him - a life full of friendship, freedom, and the chance to simply be a monkey.
Image credits: Images are by Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN)