The eight squirrel monkeys from Wildlands Adventure Zoo in Emmen moved to ZooParc Overloon this week. At Wildlands they had been thinking about the animals’ departure for some time. However, the choice was quickly made when it became clear that both zoos could help each other.
ZooParc Overloon was looking for new squirrel monkeys after theirs died in a fire at the beginning of this year. Wildlands was actually looking for another destination for the animals. “When we heard that they had room, the decision was quickly made,” says Wildlands spokesperson Hanneke Wijshake. “Unfortunately, it is a sad occasion at Overloon, but it is nice that we can work together in this way and help each other. Zoo Park Overloon is very happy with the monkeys and they will have a nice new place there.”
“It’s a farewell to the squirrel monkeys, but it is really better for animal welfare,” says Wijshake. The monkeys lived in a so-called walk-through area in Jungola, where visitors also came.
That turned out not to be ideal. “Visitors were sometimes just a little too fond of the monkeys,” says Wijshake. “They sometimes deliberately offered food to the monkeys and that is of course not healthy for the animals.”
That’s why the park sometimes kept the monkeys inside on busy days. “That is possible for a while, but not structurally. This species should run around outside, look for insects and jump from branch to branch.”
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