The Aspinall Foundation, a world leading conservation charity, headed by dedicated conservationist – Damian Aspinall, have sent the only captive group of endangered grizzled leaf monkeys outside Indonesia, back to the wild.

The seven primates, five males and two females, travelled from their current home at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent, over 7000 miles, to the conservation charity’s Javan Primate Project in Indonesia.

Damian Aspinall, Chairman of The Aspinall Foundation said: ‘These are the only grizzled leaf monkeys in human care, outside Indonesia.  We’ve had huge success with our breeding programme – vital for this species to survive.  Now, we are delighted to be able to send them back to the wild, where they belong.’

On 17^th November, the group accompanied by one of their dedicated primate keepers, began their epic journey back to the wild as they embarked on a 14 hour flight to Singapore, followed by a further flight to Jakarta.  From Jakarta, they travelled by road to the charity’s project in Java.

Matt Ford, Head of Primates at Howletts said: ‘We’ll miss them at the park, but returning animals to their native habitat is what we passionately believe in.  Last year, we sent a group of six grizzled leaf monkeys to Java and it’s amazing to watch them in the wild. I can’t wait to see this group exploring the forest for the first time and enjoying their new lives.’

On Thursday 19^th November the group of grizzled leaf monkeys arrived at the charity’s Javan Primate Project, safe and sound. The group will spend some time settling in to their new surroundings and becoming acclimatised, under the watchful eye of their keeper from Howletts and the expert primate team in Indonesia.

Made Wedana, Director of the Indonesian Project for The Aspinall Foundation commented:  ‘We’ll monitor the group very carefully over the coming weeks and months.  Once we know they are ready, we’ll gradually release them into larger areas, until they have the run of the forest.  Even when they are fully released into the wild – we’ll make sure they are continually monitored.’

The Aspinall Foundation’s Java Primate Project aims to protect critically endangered primates native to Indonesia.  Since 2009, the project, working with local governments and organsiations, has rescued many primates from the illegal pet trade and successfully rehabilitated and released them into protected forest areas in the region.  The project has also welcomed gibbons, langurs and grizzled leaf monkeys born at The Aspinall Foundation’s wild animal parks in Kent and has successfully released them into the wild to boost indigenous populations.

For further information, including ways to help and donate please visit www.aspinallfoundation.org