Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2017 | Page 10

Latest accolade for Monkey Haven The Isle of Wight’s hugely popular Monkey Haven has chalked up yet another accolade, after being named by tourism chiefs at VisitEngland as the best Small Visitor Attraction in the country. The animal sanctuary just outside Newport is home to rescued monkeys, as well as owls, meerkats and other exotic creatures. Judges said they were particularly impressed with its Keeper talks, the website, new signage and general high standards of maintenance. All in all, it adds up to a hugely successful few months for the team, who only in February, were awarded a prestigious gold award from VisitEngland, as well as having maintained their top slot on TripAdvisor, as the most popular attraction on the Isle of Wight. Founder Don Walser, who attended the ceremony with his daughter Kelly Wickes, commented: “We are amazed and delighted! This award means so much to us. Six years ago, when we set up a primate rescue centre on the Isle of Wight, everyone thought we were crackers. Now we’re the best small attraction in the country. “We’re a small charity but thanks to the support that we’ve had, we’ve been able to continually expand and evolve and care for growing numbers of creatures in crisis, from monkeys who’ve been smuggled through customs to meerkats who’ve been victims of the cruel pet trade.” www.visitilife.com 11