Days out
This little piggy went to – Monkey Haven !
It ’ s not quite the kind of animal you ’ d expect to find at the Island ’ s award-winning Monkey Haven – but a certain little piggy is expected to become a big talking point with the re-opening of the venue for its new season this month .
The piggy in question is actually a squeaky toy that ’ s become the favourite playmate of two new monkeys who joined the Monkey Haven family last year . Djimmy and Buna are two gorgeous Cherry- Crowned Mangabeys , brought together to live happily ever after at the primate rescue centre and sanctuary near Newport . Djimmy was found wandering along a busy road in Germany and as nobody knew what to do with him , he was sent to a cat and dog rescue shelter , where he was left in isolation for seven years . Finally rescued by primate rescue charity AAP , part of his long rehabilitation involved being given a toy pig to bond with – and it ’ s now never out of his sight . Monkey Haven took him on last summer , along with his playmate Buna , who was born in Barcelona Zoo . The AAP had been looking for a partner for Djimmy , and the Zoo agreed that Buna could be a perfect match . She was released into the charity ’ s care , and the two primates hit it off immediately . They ’ re very calm in each other ’ s company - and Djimmy even shares his precious pig with her sometimes ! Keeper Terri Mae says : “ We ’ re all in love with these two ! Djimmy is doing so well . His hair has grown back , which is a sign that he ’ s much happier now . He still gets a bit of anxiety and that ’ s where the pigs come in - they ’ re like his comfort blanket , and it ’ s so sweet to see him cuddling and grooming them . He ’ s got a lot of love to give !” “ These two are such special monkeys and it ’ s certainly the first pig we ’ ve ever had at Monkey Haven !” www . visitilife . com 61