The Monkey Sanctuary near Looe, Cornwall, will permanently close after more than six decades of operation, its charity Wild Futures has announced, after a planned sale of the site fell through. The organisation said the property had developed structural problems that made it unfit for continued use, and it has already begun transferring its resident monkeys to other approved sanctuaries and organisations.
Wild Futures, which has run the site since 1964, confirmed the decision through its social media channels and website, stating that the animals' wellbeing remains its central concern throughout the process.
The charity had listed the sanctuary for sale in June 2025 in hopes of finding an investor who could fund the repairs needed to keep it operating long-term. Talks with a prospective buyer continued for roughly six months but ultimately collapsed, forcing the trustees to reconsider the site's future.
Why did the sale collapse?
Wild Futures determined that pouring further money into the property no longer made financial sense given the scale of repairs required. Director Sarah Hanson explained the reasoning behind the decision:
"We do not believe it would be responsible to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds into a site that is no longer suitable for the sanctuary's long-term future, and whose ongoing maintenance now far surpasses the financial resources we have available to us."
"As such, we have made the difficult decision to direct funds towards securing a safe future for the monkeys."
How did the financial pressure build up?
The strain on Wild Futures' budget had been mounting for some time. According to a national broadcaster's report, the sanctuary's monthly running costs climbed from roughly £40,000 to between £55,000 and £65,000, a jump that forced the charity to lay off three staff members as it tried to control spending.
The sanctuary had already scaled back its operations before reaching this point. Wild Futures previously said, per its own announcement, that the site would remain closed to visitors throughout the 2025 season as the financial situation worsened, a move that preceded the eventual decision to put the property up for sale that June, as confirmed by a local news outlet.
How did the sanctuary begin?
Wild Futures traces its origins to efforts to rescue woolly monkeys that had been kept as pets, work that laid the foundation for what grew into a nationally recognised welfare and conservation centre. The charity highlighted its pioneering role in the sector:
"We are proud that we were the first Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries accredited wildlife sanctuary in Europe, and we educated hundreds of thousands of visitors on animal welfare, conservation, and the need for a ban."
Despite the closure, the charity struck a note of optimism about its continued mission beyond running the physical site:
"While we feel deep sadness at the closure of the sanctuary, we are filled with hope for the future and the next chapter of Wild Futures, as there is still important work to be done."
What happens next?
Wild Futures says it will launch an emergency fundraising appeal to cover the substantial expense of relocating every monkey safely, according to the same local report. Rehoming is already underway, with animals being placed at selected sanctuaries and organisations, though no timeline has been given for when the process will be completed.
Other UK animal welfare organisations have faced similar financial strain in recent months. A sanctuary in Marldon, Devon, recently warned it was at risk of closing within two months after hot weather pushed up food and water bills, while a rescue centre in Northamptonshire launched an appeal to raise £150,000 to buy its land amid an eviction threat and rising costs linked to the cost of living crisis.
Key Facts
- The Monkey Sanctuary near Looe, Cornwall, was established by Wild Futures in 1964.
- A planned sale of the site, listed in June 2025, fell through after roughly six months of negotiations.
- Monthly running costs reportedly rose from about £40,000 to £55,000–£65,000, leading to three staff layoffs.
- The sanctuary was the first Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries accredited wildlife sanctuary in Europe.
- An emergency appeal will be launched to fund the safe rehoming of all remaining monkeys.
