Caehopkin, Abercrave,
Swansea Valley, SA9 1UD
South Wales, UK
Tel +44 (0) 1639 730276
Email:-  desk@cefn-yr-erw.fsnet.co.uk

  

Latest News

Thanks once again to P & O ferries we were able to make the round trip to Belgium in April 2008 and provide  a home for Alf and Adam, two black Mangabeys. Animedic (www.animedic.co.uk) were kind enough to provide a special animal ambulance in which we were able to transport the two new arrivals to Cefn-yr-Erw in Wales from the  from the Maturhulpcentrum Sanctuary in Belgium.

These two fine animals, with their fashionable hair styles, had been hand fed for sixteen years by an aging Belgian gentleman who had unfortunately broken his leg. On entering the cage to feed them he was attacked and his face and arms were seriously injured. Alf and Adam also fought for the first time and it was clear that with their keeper obviously incapacitated by his broken leg the position of leader (alpha male) was up for grabs.

The Mangabeys had been handed over to the Maturhulpcentrum Sanctuary who set out to find them a home. We responded to their request for help and thanks to our sponsors who included the Pettifor Trust and Beryl Thomas Trust we were able to provide the quarantine facilities needed to see them through their first six months at Cefn-yr-Erw. 

We also brought back from Belgium a Japanese Macaque, also known as a snow monkey. Her name is Julie and we hope that she will get on well as a companion for Posi, who's story is told below. Julie had been purchased from gypsies and then lived with a family, but she became aggressive and was handed over to the sanctuary

The history of these lovely animals reminds us that they are wild creatures that do not have the characteristics expected of humans.

 Although they are relatively small in stature compared to the large apes they are very strong for their size. They are also incredibly quick and have large sharp teeth. They are not pets by any stroke of imagination and cannot be blamed for their behaviour towards well meaning would-be carers who have failed to understand their habits and requirements.

 

The Special Animal Ambulance

 

Julie the Snow Monkey

The New Capuchin house is now complete (Photos to follow shortly) and we thank P.D.Edenhall (www.pd-edenhall.co.uk) who donated the blocks, and LaFarge ( www.lafarge.co.uk ) who supplied all the cement, for their help.
 

Pozzi arrives from France                Please click the picture to read Pozzi's story

Pozzi thanks Admiral Insurance for their generosity, which helped make his life at Cefn-yr-Erw a reality.

Unfortunately Pozzi has a neural stimulator implanted in his back. This is a large metal box which sends impulses to his brain and because of this other Macaques see him as compromised and attack him.  We need to provide special quarters for him when he comes out of quarantine in a few months time and any donations or help in kind would be welcomed.

Ronnie Arrives from Gelsenkirchen

 

Ronnie...  A lovely nineteen year old male chimp has just arrived from Germany. 

CLICK HERE to read about his long journey and how he has already formed a small family group at Cefn-yr-Erw with Freddie and Nakima ( picture below right)

Nakima

In 2006 Cefn-yr-Erw was contacted by a lady from Belgium who has cared for chimpanzees throughout her long life. Unfortunately she is now physically unable to continue her good work directly, but she travelled all the way from Brussels to South Wales to see if we could provide a suitable home for Nakima a female chimpanzee.

Nakima spent her six month quarantine period in the company of Freddie, one of our existing male chimps. They got on famously together and now with the arrival of Ronnie from Germany it looks like we have achieved a wonderful outcome for all concerned.

 

 

The Beirut Rescue (26th November 2006)

Beta   "Beirut Ethical Treatment for Animals" recently rescued a number of baboons and other monkeys from cruel conditions in a "pet shop" in Beirut. Graham Garen the co-proprietor of Cefn-yr-Erw Primate Sanctuary flew out to Beirut in October 2006 to establish the situation. He had to return frustrated and empty handed because of the chaos which still prevailed and had no choice but to leave the animals still confined as you see them below.

On his return Graham contacted  organisations who exist to help primates and other exotic animals in distress, but appeals to IFAW, WSPA, International Animal Rescue and Born Free all fell on deaf ears.

Thanks to the generosity and concern of Care for the Wild International however, who unhesitatingly stepped forward and advanced £2000 and allocated a second similar amount, Graham was able to fly back to Beirut, on Thursday November 16th 2006 and, with the help of BETA , to build transportation cages and arrange flights and handling facilities for the animals.  IPPL (International Primate Protection League) in the USA also stepped in and sent a £1500 contribution and AAP Sanctuary in Holland agreed to pay the cost of the flights, which will amount to around £2500. In addition The Pettifor Trust sent £ 5500 and PETA sent £400 and with some additional contributions from the public the rescue has now been made possible. 

We are delighted to say that Seven monkeys including baboons, vervets and a macaque left Beirut by air on the evening of Sunday 26th of November and arrived at Heathrow to be met by Graham and staff from Care of The Wild International at the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow Airport. 

In the meantime quarantine quarters were being completed at Cefn-yr-Erw for the arrival of the animals in late evening on the same day.

Our heart-felt thanks go out to all those who have helped release these poor animals from a life of hell.

There is still a lot to do because we now have to build permanent quarters for them and we really do still need whatever help we can find to help us meet the costs of their continued support, and indeed continue to care for all the animals at Cefn-yr-Erw

Unfortunately heating bills have more than doubled in the last eighteen months due to inflated fuel costs and we must ensure that animals from warmer climates are well protected from the cold of a British winter.

             

More pictures of the Beirut rescue and the arrival of the animals at Cefn-yr-Erw can now be seen by clicking here

The Faro Baboons are here

The response to our appeal for contributions to rescue a group of baboons from Faro in Portugal has resulted in success . Contributions were received from many caring people and we thank you all for your assistance, without which we would have been powerless to act.

The Pettifor Trust stepped in immediately with a substantial contribution and Mrs Pettifor herself came to see us at Cefn-yr-Erw where we were able to show her the initial preparations of the quarantine quarters.

Corus Panels & Profiles of Ammanford kindly supplied the roof panels for the enclosure and specialised quarantine quarters.  

After many delays the baboons have finally arrived at Cefn-yr-Erw and there are seven of them, plus one green monkey. They couldn't believe all the space in their new home, never before having been out in the open air, and never having seen a tree. At first they didn't know how to climb but now they love it. Their life could be said to have improved by leaps and bounds.

Mrs Pettifor and colleague of the Pettifor Trust (left) with Jan of Cefn-Yr Erw in the background.

(Inset above, one of the baboons in Faro Zoo)

(Pictured below, the baboons at Cefn-yr-Erw)

Tom

 Tom the Hamadryas Baboon on the left was rescued by a courageous group of people from a living hell in Lebanon.

Thanks to the compassion and benevolence of a number of concerned organisations and individuals who contributed to bringing him to our sanctuary in South Wales he now has the chance to live out his life in dignity and comfort.

Only a few weeks after Tom arrived at our sanctuary a small female Hamadryus Baboon named Lola was rescued from poor conditions in a Lebanese pet shop. She has now been flown to join Tom at our sanctuary in South Wales and the two are now inseparable.

Lola

Tom and Lola have now been successfully integrated into the Faro baboons group above and they all live amicably together as a family and enjoy each other's company and attention. 

Lots of New Accommodation

The new Baboons above must spend six months in quarantine before they can be transferred to new permanent quarters at the sanctuary. 

We also have to construct permanent quarters for the new Lemurs and would welcome any donation or sponsorship that you are able to make to help us provide quality long term care for these lovely animals.

Cefn-yr-Erw is a charity and relies on caring members of the public to supplement its income, which all goes directly towards caring for the animals.

We were recently pleased to welcome five more Ruffed Lemurs (above) and three Mayotte Lemurs (left) when their former keeper in Manchester was unable to provide continued support for them.

Jette

 At the moment we are planning to bring two more baboons to the sanctuary. 

Jette (pictured left and right), who is currently being cared for by an animal lover in Germany, and Charlie who has been rescued from a pet shop in Bahrain.

There are very few places prepared to take older animals in need of special care and attention, which is why Cefn-yr-Erw has become recognised around the World as a true sanctuary.

Jette

Our Wolves Thunder and Lightening

Our two gentle giants have recently enjoyed a session with the beautician who combed enough loose fur from their winter coats to make another wolf.

They enjoyed all the attention and now find it nice and cool.

Twycross Zoo are demanding the return of two male Lar Gibbons named Vo (pictured  left) and Bernie. They were apparently given to Southport Zoo many years ago by Twycross Zoo and we rescued them when Southport Zoo closed down two years ago and no-one else would give them a home.

Gibbons mate for life and both are in long stable relationships. Vo has now been with his mate Yoko for 23 years.  We kept them together when we brought them from Southport. 

There is no way that we will now allow them to be separated after all this time as it is inhumane and completely unnecessary.  We are at a loss to understand why these animals should suddenly become important to people who previously didn't want them !

We hope that you enjoy this, and future news reports from our sanctuary.