Zoo Reviews - Monkey Forest

When a Zoo Keeper reviews a zoo it is going to be from a very different perspective to that of the average lay zoo goer. Keepers will have a much better idea of how good that zoos welfare is, how enriched the animals are, if they are kept in naturalistic environments, suitable group structure, if their basic needs are met, if the information provided is correct and if the enclosure is a suitable size, and indeed if it is a zoo we would like to work in or would recommend to collegues.

This Hub will evaluate zoos across the UK from the perspective of my zoo keeper friends and me, and it is not intended to have any personal bias either way and is, of course, merely an option.

Monkey Forest is located in Stoke in Staffordshire and is a novel concept in the UK.  It is a 60 acre forest of free roaming Barbary Macaques (primates).  This is not a petting zoo, the Monkeys must be only observed and not interacted with.

Barbary Macaques are classed by the IUCN as Endangered, with only 10,000 left living in their home ranges in Northern Africa.  Monkey Forest actually can reintroduce their Monkeys back into the wild, their sister parks in Europe have already put back to the wild 600 Barbary Macaques.

The park is manned by 'Guides' who are there to answer all your questions, they will help explain the Monkeys behaviour as well as presenting the Feeding Presentations which take place at 15 minutes past each hour. 

The path is around 3/4 mile long and I would suggest if it is a wet day then take wellies as the paths get quite muddy.  There are 2 quite steep hills, so again be aware of this before you visit.  The forest is a lovely setting, you can see native wildlife as well as the exotic Monkeys.  The forest contains 2 groups of Monkeys which have naturally chosen their own territories and no border disputes happen. 

If you visit in summer you might be lucky enough to see some of the new infants, which have dark black fur, and are a joy to watch.  The parents are very protective so be careful how close you get!

Follow the clear rules and you will have a lovely day watching 140 Monkeys in their natural forest home, playing chase, foraging for food, snoozing in the sun and generally just 'monkeying around'!

 

Monkey Forest contact details:

Trentham Estate, Stone Road Trentham Staffordshire ST4 8AY  01782 659 845   Entrance price:  Approx £6 adult, £4.50 children, under 3 yrs Free