International Primate Rescue

International Primate Rescue, originally known as the Marmoset Welfare Foundation, was founded by Sue Mousley in March 1996 in Polokwane, South Africa. Sue's fascination with the behavior of a Common Marmoset monkey named "Meggie" led her to study behavioral problems and disorders in captive and orphaned nonhuman primates. The sanctuary, the first of its kind in South Africa, received its first primate, an eight-month-old Common Marmoset named "Cheeky," in April 1996. The sanctuary gained attention after a national TV report, leading to requests to care for problem monkeys.

In 1998, the sanctuary expanded its care to include a Bolivian Squirrel monkey named Bobby. Over the years, it continued to grow and accommodate an increasing number of primates in need. Notably, in 2002, they received their first international rescue case, Iris, a Patas monkey from Israel, which garnered widespread attention. Subsequently, the sanctuary received primates from various countries.

Today, International Primate Rescue, based in Pretoria, South Africa, cares for over 100 primates, including various species. They focus on rehabilitating hand-reared ex-pets with behavioral issues and providing suitable enclosures for primates that cannot be returned to the wild. The demand for their services continues to grow.

Key milestones in their history include their relocation to Pretoria in 2010, the establishment of a UK board of trustees, and annual fundraisers. Their mission is to alleviate the suffering of unwanted primates, provide high-quality care at their sanctuary, discourage primate ownership, raise awareness, and eventually offer a near-wild experience for the primates they care for while assisting apes in need in the future.