Leaving abuse behind: Mini and Milo back in the forest
After more then two years in our care, in October 2024, the two were ready to be released with their new family members.
Mini and Milo were victim of a dark, cruel and abusive network in Indonesia. Investigating this sinister world of sick and psychotic people that want to hurt others, was a real nightmare. We had to witness all the abuse Mini and other long tailed macaques went through before action could be taken. Finally, a police raid saved Mini and Milo’s life back in 2022.
Thanks to international collaboration between police forces; thanks to organizations investigating this cruelty and all coming together to take action; thanks to the BBC for digging deep in this abusive trade; we were able to provide Mini, Milo and other rescued primates a second chance in life.
Mini and Milo were rescued in September 2022 and have been in rehabilitation and care at our Long tailed Macaque rehabilitation facility in West Java. Here, the primates were nursed back to health, could leave their trauma behind, make friends, and form a new family with other rescued long tailed macaques.
After more then two years in our care, in October 2024, the two were ready to be released with their new family members - a beautiful group of 11 individuals with a strong Alfa male and female. After a final check up, the primates were transported to a pristine, protected forested island where JAAN Indonesia operates with permits from the Ministry of Forestry and Environment. Here, Mini and the other primates entered the pre-release cage, built inside the forest where the primates can adapt to the new surroundings and be provided forest fruits. After a few days, their cage is opened, and our team stays to monitor them after release for about four weeks.
Watch the full video of their release
Not all primates we rescue are able to return free, but luckily Mini, milo and their group members were one of the luckier individuals. Please continue to support rescued primates in our care, we cant do this work without you.
We want to thank Lady Free Thinker for their collaboration and support to release Mini back to the wild and Action for primates for the collaboration to fight this abuse.
BBC podcast and documentary
To learn about their story, please listen to the award winning BBC podcast or watch the documentary ‘Monkey haters’ by Rebecca Henschke.
