South West
An internationally renowned ape rescue centre in Dorset, home to over 250 primates rescued from illegal trade.
Monkey World in Dorset is running a December promotion where children eat free with every adult meal purchased. The offer applies to children aged 0-15 and includes a choice of main courses served with chips and beans.
Monkey World is offering complimentary 45-minute guided tours throughout December, running daily at 10:30 on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours are led by the education team and provide insight into the sanctuary's rescue and rehabilitation operations.
Monkey World is offering children's tickets for just £1 from 7–30 November as part of its family-focused visitor initiative. The promotion allows families to visit the 65-acre primate sanctuary at a reduced cost and see rescued orang-utans Kiwi and Sibu Jr in the purpose-built crèche.
FeaturedSibu Jr, a hand-reared Bornean orang-utan born at Dublin Zoo, turned one year old on 31st July at Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset. The orphan requires expensive hypoallergenic milk formula (Neocate Junior Unflavoured) due to intolerance to standard formulas, and the sanctuary is appealing for support to fund his specialist dietary needs as he grows.
Monkey World is hosting a special celebration for World Chimpanzee Day and the 38th anniversary of rescuing its first nine chimpanzees, running from Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th July. Visitors can learn about chimpanzee communication and behaviour, meet the park's 51 chimpanzees, and children can participate in free activities including making feeders and creating sand art at the Children's Activity Centre.
FeaturedMonkey World's official orang-utan crèche now houses six young orphaned or rejected orang-utans, including Kiwi and Sibu, alongside four others born in Hungary, Germany, and the UK. The nursery is cared for by foster mother Oshine, a Bornean orang-utan rescued from the illegal pet trade, and has supported 13 orphans from seven countries over its history.
FeaturedThree-month-old male Bornean orang-utan Sibu arrived at Monkey World on 15 October from Dublin Zoo after his mother was unable to feed him. Sibu is now part of the zoo's orang-utan crèche and has begun bonding with recently arrived female Kiwi.
FeaturedFemale Bornean orang-utan Kiwi, rejected by her mother at Rio Safari Elche in Spain, has arrived at Monkey World to join the zoo's official orang-utan crèche. Kiwi was hand-reared in Spain and travelled to the UK by P&O Ferry with specialist care staff to ensure a smooth transition.
FeaturedSibu Junior's arrival marks the tenth orphan orang-utan received by Monkey World from seven different countries, underscoring the centre's role as Europe's specialist rescue facility for rejected and abandoned infants. The crèche programme aims to break cycles of abandonment by teaching young orang-utans essential maternal and social skills they will need as adults.
FeaturedMonkey World welcomed 12-week-old male orang-utan Sibu Junior from Dublin Zoo on 19 October, after his mother was unable to feed him despite care team intervention. The infant will be hand-reared at Monkey World's specialist orang-utan crèche for orphaned infants, where he will develop essential life skills alongside four other young orang-utans.
FeaturedChocolat, a disabled female chimpanzee rescued from the illegal bushmeat trade in the Republic of Congo, has been relocated to Monkey World in Dorset following two decades of care in Kenya. DHL Express provided specialist transport, and her new enclosure has been adapted with lower platforms and accessible features to accommodate her paralysed right hand and foot.
FeaturedMarcel, a Geoffroy's marmoset discovered in a Wolverhampton conservatory, has been rehomed to Monkey World in Dorset on 8 May. The marmoset was suffering from nutritional bone disease and a missing tail due to inappropriate pet trade conditions, and will receive specialist care and rehabilitation at the rescue centre.
FeaturedMonkey World successfully campaigned and advised the UK government on legislation to regulate the primate pet trade, which was passed into law in March 2024. The new law will ban primates from being kept as pets without a license from April 2026.
Monkey World is fundraising throughout Easter to support EAST's reintroduction of rescued gibbons, loris, and doucs from the black market trade back to protected forests in Vietnam. The campaign includes talks, activities, games, and stalls to educate visitors about primate conservation and the work of the Endangered Asian Species Trust.
FeaturedA female golden-cheeked gibbon named Kizzy has given birth at Dao Tien sanctuary in Vietnam, with the unnamed infant set to be part of a historic reintroduction to the wild. Visitors to Monkey World are invited to name the baby throughout the Easter holidays while supporting EAST's conservation efforts.
FeaturedThe Endangered Asian Species Trust is conducting a record number of releases in 2024, returning rescued gibbons, loris, and doucs from illegal wildlife trade back to protected forests in Vietnam. The initiative aims to boost wild populations of these endangered primates.
Monkey World has been selected as a finalist in The Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2024, competing for best UK attraction for children and families. The zoo won the same category last year and is seeking visitor votes to retain the title.