Darwin, the famous monkey from the Toronto Ikea parking lot, has become an expert at evading cameras. When he catches a glimpse of onlookers, he swiftly hides under a table in his enclosure. This 13-year-old Japanese macaque, discovered as a baby in the parking lot back in 2012 donning a diaper and coat, was rescued by animal services and has since found a permanent home at the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary in Sunderland, Ontario.
Daina Liepa, the sanctuary’s executive director, recalls Darwin’s arrival when she had just begun volunteering. Observing videos of Darwin walking on two legs instead of the usual quadrupedal stance of Japanese macaques, she realized the clothing he wore seemed ill-fitting. Liepa believes Darwin’s early exposure to human interaction has made him apprehensive around strangers in his adulthood.
On the 13th anniversary of Darwin’s rescue, Liepa shared that he now enjoys swinging indoors and relishing grapes. Plans are underway to introduce Darwin to Chiquita, another Japanese macaque at the sanctuary, to foster companionship.
With Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary being at full capacity with 24 monkeys and lemurs, they recently had to decline housing for two monkeys due to space constraints. Liepa expressed concern over the increasing demand for sanctuary services and highlighted the dire conditions that many rescued primates arrive in, often requiring urgent medical attention.
The sanctuary regularly receives referrals for primates from various sources, including zoos. However, the financial burden of caring for these animals falls heavily on sanctuaries like Story Book. Animal rights advocate Camille Labchuk emphasized the need for stricter provincial laws in Ontario to combat the exotic animal trade, estimating that hundreds of thousands of animals have been trafficked in the province.
To sustain their operations, Story Book relies on fundraising efforts, including an ongoing million-dollar campaign to expand their facilities. Liepa expressed the bittersweet reality of sanctuary life, where captive animals find refuge but often spend their entire lives there. Despite the challenges, the sanctuary remains dedicated to providing a safe haven for these animals.