Akumal Monkey Sanctuary and Rescued Animals

As animal protection laws come into effect and circuses and other animal attractions are no longer allowed to use animals in their shows, you may wonder where they end up. It can be a dangerous time in an animal’s life when they are no longer making money for the owner. With any luck, they are handed over to an animal sanctuary such as Akumal Monkey Sanctuary.

Animals who cannot survive on their own can live out their lives in a safe outdoor environment, and those injured or mistreated will be rehabilitated and then released. The sanctuary reports that 80% of the animals have been donated, many from people who thought they could keep a wild animal as a pet, only to later realize they cannot handle or maintain the animal. 20% of the animals have been seized by animal protection authorities.

The sanctuary does not receive government funding; the costs are offset by tourism and donations. It is home to many species: deer, goats, monkeys, birds, snakes, ostriches, and zebras which were donated by a circus company.

The zebras are a part of a free education program for children. The parrots that will stay at the sanctuary were pets at one time and had their wings clipped, one bird is blind and would not survive in the wild. Possibly the owners did not realize they can live up to 95 years, or that a boa snake will continue to grow for 30 years. The monkeys who are accustomed to humans will not be released, but many are there to socialize, learn and be accepted into a new troop. For example, one spider monkey who lost his hand trying to escape his owner would not be tolerated in the wild. He is now being homed with a group of females and they will be released together as a bonded troop.  A bonded pair of foxes live in the sanctuary as one is receiving medical care. They are not socialized with humans as they will be released.