‘Monkey University’ comes to Monkey Haven
Clear your diaries for Saturday 6th May – as Monkey Haven on the Isle of Wight is hosting a special day for ‘Monkey University’.
Boffins from the University of Portsmouth will be on the Island to tell visitors about their work with the sanctuary’s very clever Macaques. These brainy monkeys share up to 93 per cent of our DNA and research shows that they can recognise other monkey faces and play the childhood game of Snap! They’re also very quick at another favourite game called Hunt the Raisin.
Throughout the day, there will be a quiz, raffle, activities and talks. Plus don’t miss the demo at 2.30pm where you’ll be able to see for yourself just how smart the monkeys are, by watching them using a special computer with touch-screen technology that tests their decision making. Their participation is entirely voluntary, but they all want to take part, as the games are fun, and there might be a raisin it in for them, if all goes well.
Monkey Haven’s Founder, Don Walser, commented: “This will be a great day out, and part of the International Macaque Week celebrations taking part around the world. It’s amazing watching the monkeys play Snap! – although that’s assuming that they don’t try and eat the computer instead, just for a laugh! So come and join us – it’s the smart thing to do on Saturday 6th May.”
Special talks on Saturday 6th May
11.30am: What are Macaques?
12.30pm: How primates communicate
1.30pm: How to protect Macaques with conservation education
2.30pm: Demo with the Barbary Macaques
Find out more: Monkey Haven
• Monkey Haven is open every day from 10am – it’s England’s top Small Visitor Attraction, winning Gold in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2017. The primate rescue centre has also been TripAdvisor’s Number One attraction on the Isle of Wight for the past two years.
• Monkey Haven has been caring for creatures in crisis since 2011, and is home to monkeys, birds of prey, meerkats and other exotic creatures.
