Caehopkin,
Abercrave,
Swansea Valley, SA9 1UD
South
Wales, UK
Tel +44 (0) 1639 730276
Email:-
info@cefn-yr-erw.co.uk
The Mole Hall Chimps
PRESS RELEASE 9/08/2008
Following the recent urgent press appeal for our chimps Joey and Tubman the Johnstone Family and Staff of Mole Hall Wildlife Park would like to thank everyone from Mona UK and Spain for all their help regarding the re-homing of Joey and Tubman. Due to their publicity campaign a UK home has now been found for the chimps.
Joey and Tubman’s welfare is our primary concern. The expert veterinary advice we have had said “Any such move should preferably be within the UK to avoid international travel. It is also strongly advised that the chimps keeper accompanies them on the journey and stays with them for a period after their arrival to reassure them during the transition.” Other important considerations for these two lovely old chimps were, the shorter journey to Wales, no flying and their keeper being able to go and stay with them. They will remain together in a purpose built, heated enclosure, close to other rescued chimps.
We would especially like to thank our many supporters who have so generously sent donations to Mona to help with the re-homing of the chimps.
Any further donations to build the enclosure to support Joey and Tubman should now be sent to www.cefn-yr-erw.co.uk and follow the links.
Their new home will be in Wales, which will enable any fans from Mole Hall to visit them during the holidays, there is even a bed and breakfast attached to the sanctuary. I’m sure they will be happy to see you!
If you would be kind enough to help with a contribution you can use the following Pay Pal Account which is dedicated to this one project. All of your donation will be used directly for the benefit of these two lovely animals who are both getting on in years and deserve the best we can offer. Alternatively use options 2 or 3 and we will also ensure that your donation is set aside specifically for the benefit of Joey and Tubman.
Tubman
*
Option 1
Send your donation by 
to our Pay
Pal account. Please copy our e-mail address graham@cefn-yr-erw.co.uk
before clicking on either of the Pay Pal links above. When you reach the Pay
Pal payment page paste our e-mail address into the box where you are
requested to send your payment.
* Option 2 Telephone 01639 730276 and give your credit card details, or ask for a standing order form.
* Option 3 If you wish to contribute by adopting Joey or Tubman use the form below then print it out (print selection) and post it along with your cheque to
Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary
Caehopkin Rd
Abercrave
Swansea Valley
SA9 1UD
Please make cheques out to.... Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary
| Name: (Ms/Mrs/Miss/Mr) |
| Address: |
| Post Code: Tel No: E-mail: |
| I wish to adopt this animal for myself (name of animal) |
| I wish to adopt this animal as a gift for the person below (name of animal) |
| Name: (Ms/Mrs/Miss/Mr) |
| Address: |
| Post Code |
| Address to which adoption pack is to be sent: |
| Post Code |
| I am a UK tax payer and wish The Charity to treat this donation as a Gift Aid Donation. |
| Signed: |
| Date of Adoption: Total Value of Donation: £ |
Joey and Tubman, both born in 1967, have lived at Mole Hall near Saffron Walden in Essex for twenty years. They were brought to our attention by the publicity surrounding the
Mona Group’s fund raising efforts to take the elderly chimps to Spain when it was widely reported that no one in the UK would take them. Mona also required in excess of £150,000 to accommodate them, plus an additional £13,000 for their air flight and further amounts for vet’s fees and modifications at the Sanctuary in Spain.
We offered assistance to Mona in the form of a loan of Chimp transport crates (not something you can obtain off the shelf) and to drive them to Spain in our licensed quarantine vehicle as long as our expenses were covered. At this point we knew nothing of the vet’s report recommending that they should not be subjected to an international flight and that they should remain in the UK.
Through our offers of help, our Sanctuary came to the attention of the Johnstone family, who own Mole Hall, and they contacted us and invited us to Mole Hall to meet the chimps and discuss the possibility of them moving to our Sanctuary in Wales. This is when we realized, that the Johnstone family wanted the two boys to stay in the UK taking on board the contents of the vet’s report. They had been under the impression that Spain was the only option.
It is astonishing therefore to read stories of supporters of Mona feeling betrayed by the family, and accusations that the Johnstone family and by association us, went behind Mona’s back. This is not a deal and Joey and Tubman are not pieces of merchandise to be squabbled over. The welfare of the chimps is paramount and an international vet’s recommendation must surely take preference over human emotions.
What was to happen to Joey and Tubman if all that money could not be raised in time?
We do need funds to help with modifications to an existing enclosure especially as time is so short, but not the vast amount required for them to go to Spain.
We would also like it on record that the funds collected by Mona for Joey and Tubman
are not being transferred to this Sanctuary to facilitate the chimps’ move to Wales.
Joey and Tubman will live next door to three other loveable characters – Freddie (one time circus chimp), Nakima rescued from Belgium where she had lived in a house for 29 years, and Ronnie from Germany. Joey and Tubman have lived in captivity in the UK for more than 40 years and they too are not familiar with the sophisticated politics of a large group of chimpanzees. They will live in a mesh roofed high enclosure with access to indoor dayroom and heated bedrooms. This is designed for the chimps to make full use of three-dimensional space taking into account the needs of the chimps and concerned less with the visual impact on humans.
Graham and I have ten years experience of caring for and rehabilitating chimpanzees.
. We both work hands-on, 24/7, at the Sanctuary and live on the premises.
