THE process of finding new homes for rescued monkeys at a Cornish sanctuary is continuing, with veterinary checks under way to prepare the animals for relocation following its closure announcement in August.

Wild Futures, which runs The Monkey Sanctuary near Looe, said its team is working to secure suitable placements while maintaining the animals’ normal routines and ensuring their welfare remains the priority.

In its latest online update, a spokesperson for the charity said: “Whilst we are working hard to secure their next steps, life at The Monkey Sanctuary has continued as normal, with the usual ups and downs of sanctuary life.”

The charity has been carrying out pre-departure veterinary visits to ensure the monkeys are healthy enough to move safely to their new homes.

The spokesperson said: “This requires a lot of investment from the team to ensure that the monkeys are safe and comfortable during the entire training, catching, and recovery process for each visit.”

Supporters who contributed to an appeal covering the cost of the essential health checks were thanked by the charity.

However, the update also revealed the deaths of three much-loved residents over recent months: marmoset Finley, capuchin Boo Boo and Barbary macaque Chico. Finley died in the summer following a short illness. Boo Boo died after a cancerous mass was discovered in her chest during a routine check-up, while Chico died from heart failure.

The spokesperson said: “We are all deeply saddened by their deaths and they are dearly missed by us all. However, we are grateful and honoured to have known and cared for them at our sanctuary.”

Despite the uncertainty over the site’s future, the remaining monkeys have continued to enjoy their usual activities, including time outdoors, enrichment activities and birthday celebrations.

During the hot summer weather, staff and volunteers provided frozen food treats and paddling pools to help keep the animals cool. The charity said one monkey, Lola, surprised the team by climbing fully into a pool and splashing around. The sanctuary also celebrated Tam and Kiwi turning 30, alongside arrival anniversaries for Chanel and Greta.

The closure was announced in August after more than 60 years of caring for rescued primates.

Wild Futures put its home at Murrayton House on the market in June 2025 after a period of severe financial hardship. It hoped to find a buyer who would allow the sanctuary to continue operating from the site.

However, prospective buyers withdrew after six months of negotiations. A land assessment carried out during the process also identified structural problems, raising concerns about the site’s long-term suitability.

The charity said it could not responsibly invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in a property that could not provide a sustainable future and decided to focus its resources on finding safe new homes for the monkeys.

Wild Futures is working with selected specialist sanctuaries and organisations that share its welfare standards. Each move will be planned around the needs of the individual animals, with the aim of making the transition as safe and stress-free as possible.

Although The Monkey Sanctuary has closed, Wild Futures says its wider campaigning, education and conservation work will continue.