A WORLD-leading primate welfare and conservation charity with its base in South East Cornwall is making an urgent appeal for support.

The Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary near Looe is facing huge uncertainty as it continues to feel the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While some zoos and sanctuaries are beginning to open their doors to the public, the Monkey Sanctuary can’t do so: its size, and the vulnerability of the 40 rescued primates it looks after to the virus, mean that it will not be able to open at all this summer.

Sarah Hanson, Supporter Relations Manager at Wild Futures said: ’Since July’s announcement of lockdown easing, people are trying to navigate back to ‘normal’ life and many other zoos and sanctuaries are opening their doors to the public again.

’Unfortunately for Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary, that is not the case and things remain very much as they were at the start of lockdown. Due to our size and location, we cannot implement safety measures for Covid-19 effectively enough to guarantee the safety of the public and monkeys if we were to open our doors. Therefore we have made the very difficult, but essential decision to remain closed.

’This means we are still without vital income,’she continued.

’During the months of July and August we would normally expect to generate around £40,000 in income from our visitors alone. This vital income helps see us through the winter when funds are low. We are currently facing the prospect of at least a year without our usual income sources, and therefore we are in serious threat of not having enough money to see us safely through to next year.’

To learn more and help the Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary appeal, visit www.wildfutures.org/donate.’