Monkeys are considered the group of all primates that are not tarsiers, lemurs, apes or humans - consisting of about 260 known living species all in all. Many species are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons.
Here at The Great Projects, we offer volunteers the chance to volunteer with monkeys – including baboons in Namibia, vervet monkeys in Malawi, proboscis monkeys in Borneo and spider and capuchin monkeys in Bolivia. You could even get the chance to be a surrogate parent to baby baboons in Namibia – quite the once in a lifetime experience!
As some of our closest relatives, the chance of working with monkeys does not come around too often and is definitely an incredible privilege. Join The Great Projects on one of these wildlife volunteer projects and you'll be able to enjoy this one of a kind experience.
One shocking statistic with regards to the number of monkeys remaining in the wild today is that of the 264 species of monkey in the world, half are threatened with extinction. 58 of the threatened species live in South and Central America, 46 in Asia, and 26 in Africa. This shows just how widespread the problems facing monkeys are. Of the 130 which are threatened with extinction, 24 species are considered critically endangered, and the chances are high that they will soon be extinct in the wild if drastic action is not taken sooner rather than later.
As you have probably worked out by now, by far the biggest threat to monkeys all around the world is habitat loss. With huge swathes of forest being cut down every day, the monkeys are finding fewer and fewer places to live. This means that they have to share less food with a greater number of monkeys, and as a result many are dying.
Another big problem facing the monkeys is hunting. Both for bush meat and the illegal pet trade, young monkeys are being ripped away from their mothers and taken away to either be killed or sold to the highest bidder.
Do More
Have a lasting impact on the conservation efforts in the Manu UNESCO Biosphere – one of the most diverse environments on earth.
Experience hands-on volunteering in Africa with cheetahs, baboons and much more
Join the world renowned Lilongwe Wildlife Centre as an animal care volunteer or as a member of the veterinary team if you are a veterinary student.
Help look after wildlife rescued from illegal traffickers in Bolivia
See More
This three day tour takes you into the Heart of Borneo, exploring caves in Mulu National Park.
An incredible tour around Indonesian islands in the Komodo National Park where you will have the chance to see the famous Komodo Dragon.
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