Do you want to be a MONA volunteer or do you want us to help you find a volunteer in another Eu ro p e a n o rg a n i s at i o n a n d a l s o e n j oy a n Er a s m u s + s c h o l a r s h i p fo r a l l yo u r ex p e n s e s ? MONA is a Coordinating Organisation of the Eu ro p e a n Vo l u nt a r y S e r v i ce . More info: www.fundacionmona.org/CES
WE CREATED A WISH-LIST OF MATERIALS WE NEED AT THE SANCTUARY.
THE MAGAZINE OF THE MONA FOUNDATION- NUM 38, JUNE 2019
Enter in amazon.co.uk or amazon.es and search for Fundació MONA Wishlist. You might find something you'd like to send to our primates! Or find other ways to help at: www.mona-uk.org/help-us
MONAsupport Companies
E S T U D I
FUNDACIÓ
Collaborating Companies Centre de Recuperació de Primats
Collaborating Platforms
Do you want to be a Solidary Company? Contact us. p.segura@fundacionmona.org
DONATIONS UK Donations Lloyds TSB, 3 Sidney St., Cambridge, CB2 3HQ Account No. 03758272 sort code: 30-91-56 Non-UK Donations Caixabank, ES22 2100 3078 9721 0053 2504 BIC/SWIFT: CAIXESBBXXX
Thank you very much!!
+34 972 477 618 www.fundacionmona.org - www.mona-uk.org info@fundacionmona.org
/fundaciomona /MonaFoundation @MONA_UK
Visit us The MONA Foundation was created to put an end to the illegal trafficking, exploitation and mistreatment of primates in captivity and to denounce their current risk of extinction. MONA has established near Girona one of the few rescue centres in Europe that provides a home for life to chimpanzees and other rescued primates, where they can live in a natural environment and where we can learn to understand and respect them.
Working for the last langurs of Vietnam "After my plane trip to Hanoi, I had to wait for hours for the bus that would take me to my destination. My first trip on my own, the only non-local there and I’m almost 1.90m, I didn’t go unnoticed..." Martí Masip tells me among laughter after his 6 month practical placement as part of his Masters degree in Primatology. He enthusiastically transmits his experience and tells me that he is very much looking forward to studying more primate groups". Tell me about the project and your day-to-day there: The EPRC is located in a National Park. They rescue, rehabilitate, research and conserve some of the 25 species of primates that live in Vietnam. Of these, 7 are on the edge of extinction, 9 are endangered and many of these primates can only be found in the EPRC. In the centre they form groups with the intention of releasing them, but before this great final step, the animals go through a semi-wild facility in the mountains where they are monitored until they are ready. And there I was, working amongst some of the most endangered primate species in the world, from 6:30am until the end of the day, recording the behaviour of one of the Hatinh Langurs' groups.
Where do these animals come from? Why are they so threatened? Most of them come from illegal trafficking. Their main threat is hunting, for food or for traditional medicine. And some species are also captured for mascotism and tourism. One of the most extreme cases is the Cat Ba langur, which lives on an island and saw its population reduced to only 40 individuals due, also, to the loss of habitat as a consequence of the expansion of tourism.
How does research work for the conservation of species? These species have hardly been studied. Their natural habitats are rocky and difficult for humans to access to and there are not many animals left in the wild, which means that there’s hardly any data about their behaviour. In a primate reintroduction project, you must first know how they behave and what needs they have, and that is where the role of research comes in. The objective is to develop a pre-release evaluation method before the liberation, because otherwise it could be a disaster. I spent 500 hours in an enclosure of 5 ha in the mountains, which gave me around 300 hours of useful data. It is not easy work, but I hope that my observations will help the resident researchers establish a basis for the behaviour of the Hatihn langur.
Any reflections? The conservation situation in the country is critical, not only for primates. So you get the picture: on a 6-hour trip at the National Park, we only run into a frog and a worm, the forest is "empty" ... Unfortunately, at the ERPC semi-wild facilities, there is more wildlife than in the forest... The positive part: the people, local and foreign, will not give up and they seem willing sacrifice everything to protect Nature. And now, what? Well, my intention is to continue working and to see if the design of the evaluation method works. I would love to study these very rare primates in the wild. I have really enjoyed the experience and I will concentrate my efforts to follow the path of research applied to conservation.
Masters and postgraduate in primatology 6th edition 2019 - 21 Informative sessions 2019:H
25th JUNE- 12:00h 9th SEPTEMBER - 12:00h Information and booking: investigacion@fundacionmona.org
News from the heart Earlier this year we were greatly upset: Bea was between life and death. Thanks to the rapid response of the caregivers, who perfectly know each of the animals and their personalities, and the expertise of our veterinarian, Bea is still alive today. During the check-up, her problem was difficult to detect and the tests could not be repeated because her heart would not withstand anaesthesia. But that was enough to establish a pattern of medication that would save her life. Her favourite caregivers, Barbara and Alba, after months of dedication, are managing to convince her to allow scans to be taken on her chest without having to anesthetize her and follow her health state. We want to thank all of her adopters and all of you who donated in the fundraising campaign for her treatment, which is 1.000€ yearly. Bea is another chimp to join our chronically ill list, but we are very happy to be able to continue providing her with the best second chance, for the years to come.
Round table for the closing of the exhibition "La mona mona" The Espai Eat Art Gallery hosted the exhibition dedicated to the chocolate egg (mona) that Casa Cacao, from El Celler de Can Roca, has dedicated for the third consecutive year to support the primates of the MONA Foundation. The exhibition was extended by almost a month due to it´s good reception in the city of Banyoles.
A genetic atlas to stop the illegal trafficking of chimpanzees Scientists from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC UPF) in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute, have proved that with the DNA of chimpanzees confiscated from illegal trade it is possible to discover the location of their origin on the African continent. This information will provide the evidence required to engage these countries of origin, who currently ignore the problem of the illegal trade in primates. This is a very necessary and ambitious project in the fight for chimpanzee conservation and we are proud to be part of it.
6th Conference of EACAS (European Association for Critical Animal Studies)
The closing ceremony concluded with a round table “Reflection on the primates and the future of the human being”. The speakers were Eudald Carbonell, researcher at IPHES (Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution Institute) and Atapuerca’s codirector, Olga Feliu, director of MONA, Ramiro Joly, an expert in comparative cognitive neuroscience and Mona-UK board member and David Riba, anthropologist in charge of MonaEduca and expert in evolution of social cognition, with the writer Joan Solana as moderator.
With the title “Rethinking revolution: Nonhuman animals, antispeciesism and power”, the event boasted 40 international speakers, as well as workshops and special sessions with experts. Olga Feliu, MONA’s Director, was part of the “Great Apes” panel with her talk “ Primate Sanctuaries in the XXI century. Roles beyond caring for primates”.
Acknowledgments to the Lluís Coromina Foundation, Casa Cacao and Rocambolesc.
Solidarity Calendar 2020 This year we wanted to look back and remember those early years of MONA and the first primates that we rescued. Perhaps because a moment of great change is approaching, or perhaps because for the nostalgia of those who are no longer with us ...
Games for Chimpanzees #MonaMaze Environmental enrichment is a fundamental tool to guarantee a good quality of life for animals living in captivity. The objective is to provide them with activities that promote species specific behaviors, but does this mean that only natural objects or tasks can be used? Our chimpanzees have artificial termite mounds that we load with tubes with honey or peanut butter mixed with cereals. Although they do not fish for termites, they have to use a technique similar to that used in the jungle: the use of tools. In order to get to the bottom of the holes they have to choose, and often modify, something of appropriate size and strength from among the vegetation. These artificial termite mounds promote an activity observed within the normal behavioral repertoire of chimpanzees. But what happens if we build a maze in which they have to make nuts move in the correct direction, with the help of tools, to extract them? Well, apart from the use of basic tools, spatial reasoning must be put to work. Studies indicate that when carried out in a controlled manner and when animals can choose whether to participate or not, the impact on their welfare is positive. Although wild chimpanzees do not have devices like these, we can not forget that they are animals with a great cognitive capacity and that their brains are designed to solve complex problems and situations. In captivity chimpanzees face many fewer challenges, so it is positive and necessary for them to have access to stimulating activities that allow them to put their skills into practice and ultimately improve their well-being.
Therefore, the next calendar has been made possible thanks to the cooperation and generosity of Mireia F. Font, the photographer who accompanied us with her camera in the first years of our operation, and Gustavo Bravo, who has been responsible for the design of almost everything you have seen from MONA, from the first magazines, to the website. Faithful to our desire to innovate and surprise you with each calendar, this time you will find a versatile format, which serves both for hanging and for desktop. We hope you like it! Get yours: www.fundaciomonashop.org
This year's harvest of the Monos* of la Vinyeta has produced two great wines: Pipa and Bea. Two more bottles to add to the collection!
Maze built in the framework of the project EMCOBA: “On the interaction of emotion, cognition and welfare: comparative and evolutionary views in chimpanzees and humans”. It’s part of the doctoral thesis "Cognitive challenges in captive chimpanzees: welfare implications and influence of personality", by M. Padrell. With the support of
Wine and oil solidarity on the table
And from among the vineyards a magical and centennial olive grove was recovered, from where we have obtained another great product of the highest quality that is helping MONA as well; the Oli Fosc (Dark Oil), a tribute to small pleasures. *They are called Monos because they are monovarietal, made with one single type of grape: Malvasia (white) and Monastrell (red), very old varieties of the Empordà that the winery has recovered.
https://fundacionmona.org/en/vi-i-oli-solidaris-2019/
News from the heart Earlier this year we were greatly upset: Bea was between life and death. Thanks to the rapid response of the caregivers, who perfectly know each of the animals and their personalities, and the expertise of our veterinarian, Bea is still alive today. During the check-up, her problem was difficult to detect and the tests could not be repeated because her heart would not withstand anaesthesia. But that was enough to establish a pattern of medication that would save her life. Her favourite caregivers, Barbara and Alba, after months of dedication, are managing to convince her to allow scans to be taken on her chest without having to anesthetize her and follow her health state. We want to thank all of her adopters and all of you who donated in the fundraising campaign for her treatment, which is 1.000€ yearly. Bea is another chimp to join our chronically ill list, but we are very happy to be able to continue providing her with the best second chance, for the years to come.
Round table for the closing of the exhibition "La mona mona" The Espai Eat Art Gallery hosted the exhibition dedicated to the chocolate egg (mona) that Casa Cacao, from El Celler de Can Roca, has dedicated for the third consecutive year to support the primates of the MONA Foundation. The exhibition was extended by almost a month due to it´s good reception in the city of Banyoles.
A genetic atlas to stop the illegal trafficking of chimpanzees Scientists from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC UPF) in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute, have proved that with the DNA of chimpanzees confiscated from illegal trade it is possible to discover the location of their origin on the African continent. This information will provide the evidence required to engage these countries of origin, who currently ignore the problem of the illegal trade in primates. This is a very necessary and ambitious project in the fight for chimpanzee conservation and we are proud to be part of it.
6th Conference of EACAS (European Association for Critical Animal Studies)
The closing ceremony concluded with a round table “Reflection on the primates and the future of the human being”. The speakers were Eudald Carbonell, researcher at IPHES (Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution Institute) and Atapuerca’s codirector, Olga Feliu, director of MONA, Ramiro Joly, an expert in comparative cognitive neuroscience and Mona-UK board member and David Riba, anthropologist in charge of MonaEduca and expert in evolution of social cognition, with the writer Joan Solana as moderator.
With the title “Rethinking revolution: Nonhuman animals, antispeciesism and power”, the event boasted 40 international speakers, as well as workshops and special sessions with experts. Olga Feliu, MONA’s Director, was part of the “Great Apes” panel with her talk “ Primate Sanctuaries in the XXI century. Roles beyond caring for primates”.
Acknowledgments to the Lluís Coromina Foundation, Casa Cacao and Rocambolesc.
Solidarity Calendar 2020 This year we wanted to look back and remember those early years of MONA and the first primates that we rescued. Perhaps because a moment of great change is approaching, or perhaps because for the nostalgia of those who are no longer with us ...
Games for Chimpanzees #MonaMaze Environmental enrichment is a fundamental tool to guarantee a good quality of life for animals living in captivity. The objective is to provide them with activities that promote species specific behaviors, but does this mean that only natural objects or tasks can be used? Our chimpanzees have artificial termite mounds that we load with tubes with honey or peanut butter mixed with cereals. Although they do not fish for termites, they have to use a technique similar to that used in the jungle: the use of tools. In order to get to the bottom of the holes they have to choose, and often modify, something of appropriate size and strength from among the vegetation. These artificial termite mounds promote an activity observed within the normal behavioral repertoire of chimpanzees. But what happens if we build a maze in which they have to make nuts move in the correct direction, with the help of tools, to extract them? Well, apart from the use of basic tools, spatial reasoning must be put to work. Studies indicate that when carried out in a controlled manner and when animals can choose whether to participate or not, the impact on their welfare is positive. Although wild chimpanzees do not have devices like these, we can not forget that they are animals with a great cognitive capacity and that their brains are designed to solve complex problems and situations. In captivity chimpanzees face many fewer challenges, so it is positive and necessary for them to have access to stimulating activities that allow them to put their skills into practice and ultimately improve their well-being.
Therefore, the next calendar has been made possible thanks to the cooperation and generosity of Mireia F. Font, the photographer who accompanied us with her camera in the first years of our operation, and Gustavo Bravo, who has been responsible for the design of almost everything you have seen from MONA, from the first magazines, to the website. Faithful to our desire to innovate and surprise you with each calendar, this time you will find a versatile format, which serves both for hanging and for desktop. We hope you like it! Get yours: www.fundaciomonashop.org
This year's harvest of the Monos* of la Vinyeta has produced two great wines: Pipa and Bea. Two more bottles to add to the collection!
Maze built in the framework of the project EMCOBA: “On the interaction of emotion, cognition and welfare: comparative and evolutionary views in chimpanzees and humans”. It’s part of the doctoral thesis "Cognitive challenges in captive chimpanzees: welfare implications and influence of personality", by M. Padrell. With the support of
Wine and oil solidarity on the table
And from among the vineyards a magical and centennial olive grove was recovered, from where we have obtained another great product of the highest quality that is helping MONA as well; the Oli Fosc (Dark Oil), a tribute to small pleasures. *They are called Monos because they are monovarietal, made with one single type of grape: Malvasia (white) and Monastrell (red), very old varieties of the Empordà that the winery has recovered.
https://fundacionmona.org/en/vi-i-oli-solidaris-2019/
Do you want to be a MONA volunteer or do you want us to help you find a volunteer in another Eu ro p e a n o rg a n i s at i o n a n d a l s o e n j oy a n Er a s m u s + s c h o l a r s h i p fo r a l l yo u r ex p e n s e s ? MONA is a Coordinating Organisation of the Eu ro p e a n Vo l u nt a r y S e r v i ce . More info: www.fundacionmona.org/CES
WE CREATED A WISH-LIST OF MATERIALS WE NEED AT THE SANCTUARY.
THE MAGAZINE OF THE MONA FOUNDATION- NUM 38, JUNE 2019
Enter in amazon.co.uk or amazon.es and search for Fundació MONA Wishlist. You might find something you'd like to send to our primates! Or find other ways to help at: www.mona-uk.org/help-us
MONAsupport Companies
E S T U D I
FUNDACIÓ
Collaborating Companies Centre de Recuperació de Primats
Collaborating Platforms
Do you want to be a Solidary Company? Contact us. p.segura@fundacionmona.org
DONATIONS UK Donations Lloyds TSB, 3 Sidney St., Cambridge, CB2 3HQ Account No. 03758272 sort code: 30-91-56 Non-UK Donations Caixabank, ES22 2100 3078 9721 0053 2504 BIC/SWIFT: CAIXESBBXXX
Thank you very much!!
+34 972 477 618 www.fundacionmona.org - www.mona-uk.org info@fundacionmona.org
/fundaciomona /MonaFoundation @MONA_UK
Visit us The MONA Foundation was created to put an end to the illegal trafficking, exploitation and mistreatment of primates in captivity and to denounce their current risk of extinction. MONA has established near Girona one of the few rescue centres in Europe that provides a home for life to chimpanzees and other rescued primates, where they can live in a natural environment and where we can learn to understand and respect them.
Working for the last langurs of Vietnam "After my plane trip to Hanoi, I had to wait for hours for the bus that would take me to my destination. My first trip on my own, the only non-local there and I’m almost 1.90m, I didn’t go unnoticed..." Martí Masip tells me among laughter after his 6 month practical placement as part of his Masters degree in Primatology. He enthusiastically transmits his experience and tells me that he is very much looking forward to studying more primate groups". Tell me about the project and your day-to-day there: The EPRC is located in a National Park. They rescue, rehabilitate, research and conserve some of the 25 species of primates that live in Vietnam. Of these, 7 are on the edge of extinction, 9 are endangered and many of these primates can only be found in the EPRC. In the centre they form groups with the intention of releasing them, but before this great final step, the animals go through a semi-wild facility in the mountains where they are monitored until they are ready. And there I was, working amongst some of the most endangered primate species in the world, from 6:30am until the end of the day, recording the behaviour of one of the Hatinh Langurs' groups.
Where do these animals come from? Why are they so threatened? Most of them come from illegal trafficking. Their main threat is hunting, for food or for traditional medicine. And some species are also captured for mascotism and tourism. One of the most extreme cases is the Cat Ba langur, which lives on an island and saw its population reduced to only 40 individuals due, also, to the loss of habitat as a consequence of the expansion of tourism.
How does research work for the conservation of species? These species have hardly been studied. Their natural habitats are rocky and difficult for humans to access to and there are not many animals left in the wild, which means that there’s hardly any data about their behaviour. In a primate reintroduction project, you must first know how they behave and what needs they have, and that is where the role of research comes in. The objective is to develop a pre-release evaluation method before the liberation, because otherwise it could be a disaster. I spent 500 hours in an enclosure of 5 ha in the mountains, which gave me around 300 hours of useful data. It is not easy work, but I hope that my observations will help the resident researchers establish a basis for the behaviour of the Hatihn langur.
Any reflections? The conservation situation in the country is critical, not only for primates. So you get the picture: on a 6-hour trip at the National Park, we only run into a frog and a worm, the forest is "empty" ... Unfortunately, at the ERPC semi-wild facilities, there is more wildlife than in the forest... The positive part: the people, local and foreign, will not give up and they seem willing sacrifice everything to protect Nature. And now, what? Well, my intention is to continue working and to see if the design of the evaluation method works. I would love to study these very rare primates in the wild. I have really enjoyed the experience and I will concentrate my efforts to follow the path of research applied to conservation.
Masters and postgraduate in primatology 6th edition 2019 - 21 Informative sessions 2019:H
25th JUNE- 12:00h 9th SEPTEMBER - 12:00h Information and booking: investigacion@fundacionmona.org