Monkey adult dating

Have your services changed since Covid-19?

We are now open only for pre-booked tickets and some services are limited.
For further details on visiting the park please visit our booking page.

To read our risk assessment, please click here.

What are your opening times?

We are open every day of the year except Christmas Day from 10am until 5pm. During July and August, we extend our opening times from 10am until 6pm. Last entrance to the park is one hour before closing. In some extreme circumstances we may have to close the park for visitor and primate safety. We cannot offer a reimbursement to adoption passes for these times.

I have lost my season ticket, what should I do?

If you have lost your season ticket, please contact the adoptions office (Tel: 01929 401012). We cannot re-issue season tickets, however, we will take your details and add your name to our lost season ticket register which is kept up at the entrance at all times. If your details are on our lost season ticket register, free entrance will still apply.

Are there any special events happening at the park?

Details of forthcoming events can be found on the Events page by clicking here.  Events are also detailed in the Ape Rescue Chronicle newsletter sent to all our primates’ adoptive parents. Adoptive parents are also eligible for our charity events. Please click here for more details.

Can I hold or touch one of the primates at Monkey World?

We do not allow visitors to touch or handle any of the primates. There are a number of reasons for this. Most of the primates here at Monkey World have been rescued and now live in family groups. We encourage our monkeys and apes to interact with each other, and therefore, we do not allow visitors to disrupt them. Furthermore, primates can catch the same viruses as humans (e.g. colds and flu), which can be potentially dangerous to them, so limiting the number of people they come into contact with helps to ensure their good health. As the majority of our monkeys and apes are rescued, we also feel that it is important to provide them with reliable, familiar faces that they can trust, and not expect them to accept “strangers” in their home. We also have to comply with Health and Safety Regulations as most of our primates are dangerous wild animals.

Where is your closest airport?

Our closest airport is Bournemouth which is about 25 miles away from the park (www.bournemouthairport.com). From here you can either take a taxi or bus to Bournemouth train station and then the train directly to Wool station.

Southampton Airport is about 50 miles from Monkey World. Trains run directly from Southampton Airport Parkway to Wool.

How can I get to Monkey World using public transport?

The nearest public transport link to Monkey World is via Wool train station, which is approximately 1.5 miles away. There are usually taxis available at Wool station to complete your journey to the park. During the summer months, First Bus run a service direct to the park.

Is there parking at the park?

The park has a large grass & hard standing car park which is free to visitors. There is designated disabled parking spaces, a drop-off area and a free coach parking area also.

Is Monkey World a registered charity?

Although we rely heavily on donations to continue to do our work, Monkey World itself is not a registered charity.

Currently, all of the money that we receive through donations and our adoption scheme goes into our Ape Rescue Trust, which is a 100% fund so that all of the money is used solely for the rescue and rehabilitation of primates and no administration costs are removed.

However, Monkey World has founded two affiliated charities and continues to support them both:

Can we meet Dr Alison Cronin, Jeremy or other staff members?

Alison and Jeremy have very hectic schedules and are busy organising rescues or caring for our primates here at Monkey World so specific meetings cannot be arranged with them or any other staff. Due to the animal care requirements, it is very difficult for them to know for sure when they would be free.

However, when they are out and about in the park they are always happy to meet visitors and say hello.

Can you recommend anywhere to stay near to Monkey World?

In aid of the Jim Cornin Memorial Fund (registered charity number 1126939) and exclusively for Monkey World Adoptive Parents are two newly-refurbished flats available to rent in the heart of Wool, just one mile from Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre.  Click here for more information.

We cannot recommend alternative places to stay, however, we do have a list of other local accommodation on the Accommodation pages of our website. Please do also contact our local tourist information centres for further information:

www.visit-dorset.com
www.pooletourism.com
www.bournemouth.co.uk

How do I set up a sanctuary to help animals?

As a policy, we will not give advice about setting up an animal centre or sanctuary. We would urge people not to consider this venture unless you already have plenty of experience in looking after and managing wild animals. If you do not already have experience the animals would probably have to suffer your learning curve. There is a huge amount to learn.

Why are there no gorillas at the park?

Fortunately, we have not come across many gorillas that have needed rescuing from the illegal pet or smuggling trades. Gorillas do not make such popular pets as chimpanzees and other primates. Also, as they are very rare, zoos are usually very keen to ‘snap up’ gorillas that need re-homing.

Should we come across any gorillas that do need rescuing, we would, of course, be very happy to take them on, as long as there was not a more suitable place for them to go (i.e. somewhere that already has gorillas). Hopefully, we will not have to rescue any of these magnificent creatures in the future.

Do I need to pre-book entrance tickets?

Currently, all tickets must be purchased before arriving at the park via our website. For more info & to book, please click here.

Will I be able to see the primates if the weather is bad?

We have over 260 primates here at the park, all of whom have access to both their indoor and outdoor enclosures throughout the day, unless we have to bring them indoors due to safety reasons. We have viewing areas for our visitors to watch the primates at all of our enclosures, with most having both indoor and outdoor windows. The activity and location of the primates depends entirely on the moods of the individuals, and if the primates decide to have privacy in the off-show areas, we respect their decision and they will be unable to be seen by the public. This is our rescued primates’ home and safe haven, and while they are can be viewed by the public, they are not an exhibition.

We have Keeper Talks throughout the afternoon (12.30 pm until 3 pm) during which a scatter feed is normally given to the primates. These are a great opportunity to learn about the primates that we have here at the park, and the work that we do. We cannot offer refunds for entrance to the park unless special circumstances are agreed by the Directors.

Many viewing windows are under cover, but the majority of the park is outdoors, therefore, we do advise visitors to bring wet weather clothing at all times.

Will I be able to see my adopted primate?

Most enclosures have both outside and indoor viewing windows, and identifying posters around the windows to help you recognise your adopted primate. The daily free Keeper Talks are also a great time to spot your adopted primate as Primate Care Staff will be happy to point out your primate, or other individuals. However, all the primates have access to both their indoor and outdoor enclosures throughout the day, unless we have to bring them indoors due to safety reasons. The activity and location of the primates depends entirely on the moods of the individuals. The enclosures are purposely designed with off-show areas both inside and outside, so our rescued primates can enjoy privacy if they choose.

Due to veterinary care, enclosure maintenance, introductions after rescues and other animal management, there may be times when your chosen primate is unavailable to be seen without prior notice, although we will endeavour to update our website and/or social media if appropriate.

Do you take on volunteers/work experience students to work with the primates?

Although we do really appreciate offers of help, due to the nature of our work, we are unable to take on volunteers or work-experience students to work directly with our primates for periods of less than 9 months. Almost all of our monkeys and apes have been rescued and need careful management and steady routine in order to encourage their rehabilitation. Therefore, we generally only take on experienced wild animal keepers.

How do I start working with primates?

There are many ways to get started working with animals. The most important advice we can give anyone who is keen to work with primates, or other wild animals, is to get as much experience as possible. We generally look for keepers who have plenty of experience in looking after and managing wild animals. Many zoos and wildlife parks take on volunteers either as a block placement or on a regular basis.

Educationally, there is no single option. However, biology, animal behaviour, physical anthropology or veterinary courses are a good place to start.

What should I do if I see a monkey or ape that needs rescuing somewhere in the world?

Please make detailed notes of where and when you saw the monkey or ape, including the exact location – street names and/or shop names will help us to find the primate. If possible, a photo of the monkey or ape would be very helpful to us, but do not get yourself into trouble, and try not to pay for the photos as it only encourages the trade. Please forward this information to Monkey World either by post, email, or by completing our online form.

Are dogs allowed into the park?

Dogs and other pets are not permitted into the park.  However we do accept Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Registered Assistance Dogs, with prior notification only.  In the interest of animal welfare, please refrain from leaving pets in your vehicle during your visit.  We reserve the right to contact any relevant authority if we feel that an animal left in a vehicle in our car park is suffering or distressed in any way.

If alternative arrangements can be made this would probably be best. The suggest calling the local tourist info office in Wareham, on 01929 552740, who may be able to assist with kennel information in the area.