Research Associations

Working for primate welfare

CATALAN ENGLISHSPANISH

Coco and Bea arrived here in May 2012 and made our lives so much livelier these past months. They adapted very fast to the way of living at MONA and soon felt comfortable in their cozy bedroom with the big window and the direct access to the spacious association cages. However perhaps a bit too comfortable. Normally this bedroom is reserved only for the first months of a newcomer, as it is a bid more isolated from the emotional ruckus the other chimpanzees produce at times (it can be very intimidating and overwhelming for a chimpanzee who hadn´t had any or little contact with his kind). Tom also found a liking to this particular bedroom (possibly because it allows peeking into the kitchen) and as the girls wanted to stay with Tom, it seems they decided as a group to refuse our offer to sleep in the bigger bedroom alongside the other chimps.So once being reunited with Tom they didn´t want to do anything on their own anymore and therefore refused to get separa-ted even for short amounts of time. However, in order to fuse the “Tom-Coco-Bea”-group with the 6-headed Family-group we have to take small steps at a time and engage into many one-on-one encounters before they can meet each other all together. So, separating one of the three became quite a hassle, especially considering the importance of them being happy and motivated instead of tense and nervous before meeting eventually new friends. After trying everything we had to offer it was finally Coco who came out of her shell and decided to cooperate, passing alone from one bedroom to another. But Bea was not convinced of Coco´s good will and started a strategy to counter our efforts. As soon as Coco would pass to another room, Bea would sit in the door, preventing us from closing it and as such being separated from her group mate. But with a lot of dedication and patience eventually we would be able to separate them for an association. Having in mind that Coco was the one more open to the idea of getting separated and meeting new chimps and Tom being the one with more experience in that matter, it was surprising to see that Bea would be the one, who actually showed a lot more motivation and efficiency to interact with members of the family group. Tom and Coco were acting quite passive and timid when they are confronted with a new face and therefore at times missed the opportunity to respond to a friendly gesture from the family group. Bea on the other hand was eager to interact and engages quickly in social behavior. Meaning that she answers quickly to a friendly gesture but will also stand up for herself if another chimps displays his strength in front of here. But most importantly does she understand the importance of reconciliation, which after a mutual display of strength leads to positive interactions, being a first step towards friendship and affection.So up to this day the three of them have met all members of their future group and managed to form some friendships. Surprisingly Tico found a liking in Bea, Africa and Tom became difficult to separate after an association and Coco and Nico get along quite well as well. They all still have a long way to go and need to get accustomed to the idea of being surrounded by a big group, but they made a lot of progress on their way towards becoming part of the MONA family group.

Dietmar CrailsheimDecember 3, 2012

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Best Comment

Being part of the MONA Family!

“The MONA foundation was created in the year 2000 to put an end to illegal tra!cking, explotiation and maltreatment of primates in captivity, to report the real risk of extinction and to support their protection in the wild. Close to Girona, MONA has established on of the few rescue centres in Europe that o"ers both a home-for-life for chimpanzees and other rescued primates, where they are able to live in natural surrondings, and a place in which people can learn to understand and respect them.

58COMMENTS

The Newsletter of the MONA Foundation – Issue 25 – December 2012

I LIKE 35 g + 1 48 Twitter 33 I likef 27The Centre Up-to-date News

Jaume, the father of Olga Feliu, was one of the first to see himself involved in the MONA project, and to offer us his energy, good humour and great capacity for work . The first construc-tions of the Center depended on his efforts and he worked hard so that the first group of chimpanzees could be rescued in February of 2001.This November, at 74 years old, he stopped working us . All those involved in MONA are very grateful for his great contribu-tions and will always remember him for his great attitude and kindness.

A very special mention for

JaumeMONA’s teamDecember 9, 2012

Training for MONA Primates

The Centre Operation Veterinarian Department

Alba GómaraDecember 7, 2012

At MONA we are starting a training stage with primates, but to facilitate handling and above all to get them used to obeying "orders" veterinary medical purposes. And this means that, perhaps one day we can achieve the goal that chimpanzees offer their forearm for a blood sample so that it can be taken without putting them under anesthesia, without having to stay awake with a syringe, without them being able to attack a caretaker; the aim is that the animals see it as a game.How can we achieve such a feat? First of all, thanks to the patience, experien-ce and lessons of a team of experts at the Ethogroup-Institute of Clinical Ethology, which is part of the Spanish Association of Educators on Positive Canine (AEECP), we will work with many concepts such as clicker, reward, positive reinforcement, motivation, and chimp-caregiver relationship ...For now I can say that it seems so simple, but it is a very complicated process, (or perhaps vice versa). As in almost all cases, we have the added ingredient of ‘chimp complexity’ when compared to a dog for example. But the challenge is ours and one we will succeed!We want to thank the selfless help greatly Ellen, Paula and James

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Maybe you find it odd to talk about training because this is a primate rescue center, but most of the animals have endured severe suffering during their training to be able to perform circus activities. Do not panic! Yet we are not part of this crazy with the economical crisis ...

The Centre Operation Veterinarian Department

Amelia SandovalDecember 5, 2012

Toni goes to the dentist!

Or, better said, the dentist comes to us in here in MONA! Taking advantage of a routine medical check-up that our little Toni needed, we treated various dental problems that had been develo-ping for quite some time.We would like to thank Gerardo and Liliana from Ruales Dental Clinic in Vilassar de Mar for their support in providing both the human resources and economies of this procedure.With an oral cleaning, a root canal and a reconstruction of one of his incisors, they have given Toni not only a glowing smile but also an improvement in his day to day living.For the general medical check up we also relied on the help of our outside vet, Josep from El Vallmari Clinic, Lloret de Mar, another frequent collaborator at the MONA foundation.The results of Toni's tests show that he is enjoying a good state of health and so can rest easy until his next check-up.If you are interested in learning how to carry out these procedures, you have the opportunity to see it in the new season of Veternaries of TV3, starting January 2013.We'll keep you in the loop!

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The Centre Foundation

Since last October 12 the European Alliance for Rescue centers and Sanctuaries (EARS) is a reality. Rescue centers in Belgium, Germany, France, Greece, England, Austria, Roma-nia and the Netherlands together with MONA have founded EARS. Our main objectives are to have a single voice at European level, to be more effective in controlling traffic exotic animals, to promote the highest standards of care for rescued animals, and to educate and inform the public for the conser-vation of species.

Supporters

From the investigative unit of the Mona Foundation, Teresa Sauquet Cisa is working on a new study of sensorial enrichment with which we hope to improve the re-socialisation and integration process of new chimpanzees into already establis-hed groups, with the final goal of improving their wellbeing.With the projection of Chimpazee images, in high defination and of almost life size proportion, we look to familiarise newly arrived individuals to MONA (Tom, Bea and Coco) with their future group members and that this facilitates their process of association and integration.All of this is possible thanks to the donation from SHARP of an 46 '' Ultimate Generation 3D LED Television.Thanks to SHARP and Mr TA Setsuko Nakakjima for their interest and support of our work.

Olga FeliuDecember 15, 2012

EARSOlga FeliuDecember 15, 2012

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investigative projects of the Mona Foundation

The company Sharp colaborates with the

The keeper team at MONA is trying their best to provide the chimps with the best life quality possible, allowing them to grow up safely to become fine adults. However it doesn´t stop there. Recently we had to consider more and more the fact that they also grow old here at MONA. Toto became 56 this year which is way over a chimpanzee´s life expectancy. Being the alpha in his group kept him fit and in high spirits, but these last month his age started to be more and more visible. He stopped climbing higher structures and only does the effort if it is absolutely necessary. Nevertheless he still has to pass from one room to another and outside to the enclosures which became quite a struggle for him. Therefore we decided to renovate and started building raps and leathers in places where we know him to have difficulties. We already covered some of the most important places, making sure he reaches his favorite spots again, but will have to put even more effort into it over the next month until Toto and ourselves are content with the final result.

The Centre Operation Maintenance

Dietmar CrailsheimDecember 13, 2012

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Projects Training

In 2013 catch us at the University and the Forum!

3 big projects, announcmements and developments are being prepared for the year 2013.Firstly- within the framework of our education program-the Mona Foundation will offer 2 new eduaction prgrames through the “University of Girona-Education and Innovation”. Between the months of March and May we'll be launching the University course “Behaviour, Cognition and Evolution of Primates”. This course of 100 hours (9 credits) will be aimed at anyone interested in deepe-ning their knowledge of the theory and practice of non-human primate behaviour, through an evolutionary and comparative perspective. From November onwards we will also be starting off the Postgraduate Diploma “Ethnoprimatology: Investigation and practice of Behaviour, Cognition, Evolution and Wellbeing. This course spans 1 academic year (45 ETC credits) and it's basic

objective will be to endow students with sufficient professional knowledge to develop projects in the field of primate ethology, cognition and animal wellbeing.Secondly, between the 2nd and 5th October Mona will be in charge of organising the 4th Iberic Primatology Forum which will take place in the in the Faculty of Education and Science of the University of Girona. You can find more information about the Forum using the links and pages below:

Web: www.cip4girona.comFacebook: ww.facebook.com/cip4gironaTwitter: @cip4girona

Miquel LlorenteDecember 11, 2012

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Adopt a chimp !!Adopt one of our chimpanzees to help us cover their expenses, support the centre’s growth, and rescue many more in need. As an adopter you will receive additional information about your fosterlings progress, an adoption certificate and a supporter card. You can also become a member, collaborating and helping us to protect, rescue and care for primates. The more we are, the better we can help them. With your support we can give many more primates a brighter future!

If you think like us, please fill out this form and send it to:

Fundació MONANarcís Monturiol, 5 08170 Montornès del Vallès

Name Mr/Mrs/Ms: Address: Country / Postcode: Telephone: E-mail:

I would like to adopt: Toni Juanito Toto Bongo Nico Africa

with an installment of: £6/month (min) £10/month £25/month £50/month

other......£/month £72/year (min) £120/ year £300/ year £600/ year other......£/ year

I would like to be a supporting member of MONA with an installment of:

Individual: £30/year Couple: £50/year Family £70/year other......£/year

Instead of becoming a member or adopter, I would like support MONA-UK with a gift of:

£15 £25 £50 other.........£ Made payable to MONA-UK

Forms of payment I enclose a cheque/postal order for: ....... £ Make a PayPal payment to MONA-UK Make a standing order (only for monthly or annual payments)

If you wish to pay by standing order, please complete and return this form to MONA-UK not your bank. You are free to cancel this at anytime.Name of bank : ...........................................................................................Address of bank: ........................................................................................Postcode: ...................................................................................................

If you are not from the UK and don’t have a Spanish account, please return us the completed form (electronically or via post) and use the following information for the transaction:Name of Benefactor: FUNDACIÓ PRIVADA MONAIBAN (online): ES2221003078972100532504IBAN (direct): IBAN ES22 2100 3078 9721 0053 2504BIC/SWIFT: CAIXESBBXXX

MAKE YOUR DONATION GO EVEN FURTHER WITH GIFT AIDIf you are a UK taxpayer, you can increase the value of your donations at no extra cost to you. All you need to do is tick the box below and the Inland Revenue will give us 28p for every £1 you give.

YES, I am a UK taxpayer and I want MONA-UK to treat all donations I have made since 6th April 2000, and all donations I make from the date of this declaration until further notice, as Gift Aid Donations.

Signature _______________________ Date _____________________

Tel: 01223 210 952

Email: info@MONA-UK.org

Website: www.MONA-UK.org

UK Registration Charity No: 1109558

How to help Adopt a chimp

Recycling your old mobile phone can help to contribute to primate conservation on a global level. That’s because recycling helps to reduce the demand for COLTAN, a rock from which tantalum is obtained, a material used to prolong battery charge. The mining of COLTAN causes serious social and political conflict in some countries of origin in central Africa, it damages ecosystems and impairs the survival of critically endangered species such

Of the family Hylobatidae this is the only species of its kind Symphalan-gus. This species is a native of the forests of Malaya, Thailand and Sumatra. They are arboreal primates and both females and males are black and very large. They are monogamous animals. It is: the largest species of the family Hylotidae; can be twice as large as

reach a size greater than a

Last issue’s mystery primate is: Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus)

Francisco Jiménez

Guess the species!

chimpanzee by more than one meter. The Siamang is unique for two reasons: it has two fingers in each foot that have fused together and also it has a great "bag gular" which is present only in the male of this species (a fold in the throat that can be inflated until reaching the size of its head and that permits him to emit a very characteristic vocalisation). Its diet includes at least 160 species of plants, from creepers to ligneous plants, although they also feed on fruits, flowers and small invertebrates. According to the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of the Nature) the siamang is classified as in danger of extinction.

Recycle your old mobile!

Our primates Species

Can you tell what this primate is?

Desember 3, 2012

MONA Foundations’ educa-tion department brings the world of primates closer to kids and pupils, aiming to teach the younger genera-tions about respecting living beings and their natural habitats.

Visits for institutes and schools

more info: 0034 972 47 76 18 or info@fundacionmona.org

as mountain gorillas. Please email us on info@mona-uk.org for further information on recycling printer cartridges or mobile phones for our primates.

Would you like to be part of our primate caregiver team for two, three or even four days? Now is your chance. Sign up for a ‘Working Weekend’ and experience what it is like to work with these amazing animals. It´s a great way to help us, and at the same time spend a short holiday in a unique way. If you want more detailed information, prices or to check on availability, contact us on a.gomara@fundacionmona.org

Give yourself a present and spend an unforgettable weekend at MONA