Making Happy Endings to Sad Stories
Our mission at SAASA is one of education and promoting a greater understanding of primates, birds, apex cats and wild animals in general and the threats and challenges they are facing.
The South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) consisting of Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and The Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary are winners of the Lilizela Service Excellence Awards – Best Visitor Experience ‘Wildlife Encounters’; Skål International Sustainable Tourism Award – Best Major Attraction; winner of the ‘Best Animal Welfare Initiative’ and overall winner of the World Responsible Tourism Awards.
Help the monkeys own the Monkeyland forest. Buy a m² of forest for the monkeys in Plettenberg Bay. Click here to buy your squares today. BUY M² OF FOREST
If you would like to learn more about this real, real-estate deal between humans and animals click here.
We have all heard so much recently about the horrors of animal abuse, birds captured from the wild, elephants and monkeys tortured to make them perform, animals and birds imprisoned in cages etc.
But I think we should remind ourselves that it is not ALL bad and sanctuaries such as Monkeyland and Birds of Eden pay testament to that. All our primates and birds are free to roam and forage, to choose their own mates, to be seen or not be seen. Their personal space is never infringed upon, they are not poked, prodded or forced to perform. They live almost as nature intended…wild and free. The only difference is that they do not live in their own lands.
Humans had already removed them from that before they arrived, either to be kept as pets, used in experiments or imprisoned in cages for their own amusement. The lucky ones ended up here. Furthermore, when primates and birds come to us, they stay for life. They are never traded or sold, never forced to breed.
They are given the best care possible. They even have their own retirement home. Thankfully Monkeyland and Birds of Eden have cast the blueprint for sanctuaries around the world, leading the way to a truer, more natural environment for wildlife that has no other alternative but to be kept in captivity. An unfortunate word but although Monkeyland covers an area of 12 hectares (something like 19 football fields), the primates are still captive.
Let us hope that one day humankind gets its act together, protecting natural environments so that some of these animals can return home to be truly free. Our mission is one of education and understanding, and to meet these objectives, we strive for all guests who having visited any of our sanctuaries to leave with greater knowledge of and compassion for wild animals.
One of our main areas of focus is to educate the public about the adverse effects of keeping wild animals as pets, in terms of both their physical and psychological health. We also fight for #animalrightsintourism and we are active
#HandsOffOurWildlife campaigners.
OUR MISSION IS to encourage understanding of and a commitment to the conservation of wild animals especially primates, birds and apex cats.
- To communicate the need for healthy natural and spacious habitats; and recognition of the wild animals need for interdependence of people, their natural environment and its component resources.
- We are committed to reaching and engaging the largest number of people possible to enable them, through knowledge and understanding, to develop the motivation and skills to make informed choices about their lives in relation to the wise use of the natural resources around them.
Role of The South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) in Nature Conservation To maintain and protect genetically pure species of various taxa in a semi wild state, housed in free-roaming habitats that are not un-similar to those of the animal’s home ranges. To one day hold the seeds of these Taxa that can be reintroduced back into the wild when the circumstances are right.
SAASA provides wild animals in our care with a stable environment, one with permanence and where there is no exploitation. We oppose any form of wildlife interaction.
At SAASA, care far exceeds what is required in the regulations regarding animal welfare. All SAASA sanctuaries are most importantly, places which are conducive to the wellbeing and ultimate rehabilitated both physically and emotionally of the wild animals in our care. At SAASA we strive to achieve an effective balance between conservation and economic reality. Our sanctuaries are therefore often tourism driven in order to be financially sustainable. A safari at any of our sanctuaries is much more than just an unforgettable forest and wildlife adventure; it is the vehicle that allows you to become part of what we do for the wild animals in our care.
It is because of sanctuaries such as Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Jukani and Hidden Forest in KZN which go beyond idealism, and who strive to do something positive, that we can look forward to a more optimistic future.
Associated Files
South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Get directions
Phone: +27 (0)44 534 8906
Mobile: +27 (0)82 979 5683
Email: info@saasa.org.za