Category Archives: News

Fantastic II Edition of “La Cursa de las Monas” thanks to you!

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Last weekend we experienced together the second edition of the “La Cursa de las Monas”, a day of sport, joy and solidarity. Everyone there  ran for the primates of MONA Foundation.

But this event would not have been possible without all the volunteers who decided to work with us. Thank you guys, thanks for wanting to be part of our family!

Thank you to all the support companies: Frit Ravich, Bellsolá, EPIDOR Radicalmente Moritz, Restaurant les Oliveres, Forn de Llenya Cresell, COFFEE Cafeteria, Patronat de Turisme de Girona, Catalunya Caixa, Audax Energía, Ajuntament de Riudellots de la Selva, Consell Comarcal del Gironès i Diputació de Girona.

And to the participants : it would not have been possible without you all. No matter if you were walking or running, all of you put on enthusiasm and effort, and did it for them and only for them: our rescued chimpanzees and macaques. Thanks for that! And thanks for the constant support in every step we take.

In our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FundacioMONA/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1173846709321779) you will find a small compilation of the great day lived. Thanks again for participating and being part of this great event for primates.

See you in future editions of “La Cursa de las Monas”!


A 17-year-old gorilla named Harambe is dead

A youngster managed to crawl through a fence before falling into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Harambe, the gorilla, reportedly picked up the boy and moved him around. Even though the zoo’s director acknowledged that he was not attacking the boy, it was believed that a tranquilizer wouldn’t work fast enough.

What do you think about it? Is it justified? Would it have been another alternative to avoid the death of the gorilla? Give us your opinion: 

https://www.facebook.com/FundacioMONA/


Jane Goodall visits MONA

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On Friday May 27, Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist, gave us his presence in Girona with the conference What I Learnt from chimpanzees. About 1000 people attended the event!

The surprise came when the next morning, before leaving Spain; Dr. Jane Goodall decided to visit MONA. She did not miss the opportunity to see again our rescued chimpanzees and their evolution.

Taking this opportunity, we delivered the JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE  a check that will allow them to acquire the much-needed trap cameras to help chimpanzees in Senegal. Thanks to everyone for help and put your bit in this case.

It was a brief and unexpected visit that filled with enthusiasm to our team. Words fall short right now… we can only say: THANK YOU JANE, FOR ALL AND MORE.


Art month in June, join in on the fun!

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It is with great excitement that we are organizing the first ever Art month at Mona! This month of June, the world of art and that of primates will merge into one. Every weekend Mona will organize a different activity during which art and primatology will come together.

What are the activities?

Saturday June 4th:

The prizes of the 1st drawing and painting contest ‘PRIMATES MONA MONTANA’, organized with the help of Montana Colors, will be awarded to the winners.

Who can participate? Children 6 years old and up. Children will enter in different categories depending on their age.

Contest rules available here

 Prizes: a bundle of Montana Colors products will be awarded to each winner of every age category as well as a voucher for a free educational visit of the MONA Foundation.

No participation fee

Saturday June 11th:

Naturalist drawing workshop, taught by the illustrator Blanca Martí

Who can participate? All families that register directly at the Riudellots town hall

No participation fee, however, you must sign up for the course. Call 972 477 005 to do so.

Sunday June 19th:

Mona Sketching Day, organized by the illustrator Montserrat Sanchiz

Who can participate? Anyone and everyone who loves drawing! You have to sign up to participate

Read the rules and the program

Access the page of the event directly on facebook

To sign up or get information write to: monaskd2016@gmail.com

Price? 6 euro, guided visit of the sanctuary included

Prizes: every participant will receive a voucher to come back and visit the center. The winners will receive a bundle of Mona goodies and a painting done by one of the chimpanzees here at Mona.

Sunday June 26th:

During an event organized by La Mono Magazine the works of art entered in the lottery will be given to their respective winner.

Who can participate? Each and every one that does not want to miss our unique lottery ‘la mono para la mona’ and wants to take home an original piece of art done by the different artists that are participating. More details will be published soon, keep your eyes peeled!
You cannot miss this! Sign up now for one of the activities organized in June!

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us, 972 477 618 or comunicacio@fundacionmona.org


International Macaque Day

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This Wednesday the 16th of March we celebrate the first International Macaque’s Day, a great oportunity for them to stop being, once for all, the one forgoten primate.

Did you know that the Barbary macaque is the only primate, except from humans, that can be found in the wild in Europe?

The Barbary macaque populations are decreesing by vast amounts every year… The destruction of their habitat and illegal pet trade are leading this unique species to extinction.

About 300 babies are captured every year, snatched away from their habitat, their home, their family… to be sold illegaly as pets in Europe. However the day will arrive when this baby, obtained on a whim to be a pet, becomes an animal far different from the exemplary pet that they were suposed to be… What are the options now? Abandoning it, or locking it away in a little cage, depriving it from the little social contact you could offer so far, leaving it to a life in solitude with little or no stimulation. This situation forbides them developing the social abilities which are essencial for their physical and mental wellbeing , this can causes some abnormal behaviours to appear as repetitive movements or, in more severe cases, self inflicted agression.

In Fundació MONA we fight daily to rise awareness of the terrible situation the Barbary macaque is facing, and we work tirelessly to offer them the worthy life they were taken from.

Nevertherless, and despite the extreme situation of the specie, the Barbary macaque illegal traffic is increassing.
But you can now help us! Join us on this day and give voice to those who dont have it. We have a commitment to them, and every single act no matter how small is crucial to there survial. Only by working toghether will we be able to avoid the extinction of this wonderful primate species.

And why is it such a unique specie?

Here are some facts about the macaques you might not have know.

Did you know that macaques are one of the few monkeys without tail? A feature generally reserved to great apes…

Did you know Barbary macaques take part in the rearing of there young even though they are not their own? This makes socials bounds stronger between males and youngsters and even between other males, as thier movement helps to create and strenghten the group bounds.

Did tou know Barbary macaque can live at 40ºC during summer months and suport temperatures under zero during the winter?

Are you still dubting on the uniqueness of this specie?

Join us! Put the 16th of March in you calendar and celebrate the Macaque’s International Day by giving them a hand. Join the fight for their conservation, be part of the solution today, and don’t let their extinction be our fault.

Yes, they are small, but they also have rights…

“I DON’T BUY, I HELP”





The Hainan gibbon

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Hainan gibbons live only on Hainan island, in the south of China. At first their were considered a subspecie of the Eastern black crested gibbons, but their fur and vocalisations make them unique.

The Hainan gibbon is active during the day, eats almost only fruits, like figues for example. This specie is arboreal and the females give birth to only one offspring every two years!

In the past 45 years, almost 80% of the population has disappeared, due to hunting, habitat lost and also due to the fact that they only live on one island in particular. Curently only 20 mature individuals are still alive. The Hainan Gibbon is the most critically endangered primate of the world with only 25 individuals left living in a 16km² territory ...

When it first was discovered, Hainan gibbons lived throughout the whole of the island, but now the entire population is gathered in a reserve, the Bawangling Nature Reserve. This creates problems of mating, food ressources, impossibility to face a possible natural disaster and so on.

If this specie ceases to exist, it would be the first primate specie to disappear since 1700…


“La mona” most MONA

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During the days before Easter, bakeries take part in a delicious and original show: “La Mona de Pascua”, cakes and chocolate figures, some with much complexity and detail they can be considered works of art.

But this year “La mona” will be even more “mona” than ever because Jordi Roca, the best pastry chef in the world, has created a ”mona” inspired by MONA Foundation.

It’s a large artwork, a sculpture made of 72% chocolate, with a surprise inside made up of 40% cacao and 100% solidarity because the profits of “la mona” will go towards the Primate Rescue Center.

The best “mona” in the world will be sold in Rocambolesc stores (Girona and Madrid) from March 15th. Price: 30 €.

Or you can also order one (to pick up from store) from March 15th to 18th, calling at +34 972 416 667 (Rocambolesc Girona) or +34 915 76 52 34 (Rocambolesc Madrid).

We hope you enjoy this very especial mona!!


Cheeta ‘s first steps!

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Being the “new guy” is not always easy. CHEETA however makes it look very easy this time.

When she arrived at MONA she was obviously nervous and confused, but Cheeta swiftly demonstrated that she is a strong and intelligent female, who enjoys every moment of her life. She got quickly accustomed to her new home and after only a few days was ready to meet her new family.

Tico, Africa, Tom, Bea, Nico, Coco, Waty and Victor… by now she has met them all already (one by one) and each encounter was a bit different but to sum it all up… it went very very well. There were a few tense moments, slow approaches due to mistrust but also a lot of playing, laughing and hugging…

But instead of wasting time trying to put it all in words, we suggest you have a look at this video to see for yourself how well her new life at MONA started. And don´t worry, there are many more updated, photos and videos to follow!


Paris Climate 2015 COP21

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These days in Paris is being held an incredibly important summit for our planet. During the latter our world leaders will have to agree on several points in order to take action against global warming, a topic that is vital to our cause, and biodiversity.

We hope that the 195 countries that are taking part in the meeting  to replace and better the old Kyoto agreement will keep in mind the weight of their decisions and that they will act accordingly and set aside their economic interests.

We can all do our part in order to take action against global warming, our possibilities and daily actions matter.

  • Reducing your CO2 emissions: find other alternatives to taking your car, but in case you cannot, choose a low emission model vehicle.
  • Save up on energy: from using low energy light bulbs to using more efficient household appliances, using the ac and heater moderatly, turning off the tv and shutting down your computer when you are not using it and properly isolating your house ; there are so many ways in which you can save up on energy and reduce the amount of CO2 that gets shot up into the atmosphere.
  • Reduce your water consumption.
  • Moderate your consumption, re-use and recycle: our planet is finite and so are its ressources.
  • Always try and purchase local and seasonal produce, in doing so you can help reduce the carbon footprint.
  • Make sure that you know where the wood furniture and paper that you purchase come from, ask for them to be certified.
  • Educate the younger generation: they are the ones that will suffer the consequences of climate change. It is important that the younger generation, through education, be aware of the actions they need to take in order to stop climate change.

Here at MONA we are aware of all that and that is why we have been working for years towards informing those around us with guided visits and our department MONAEduca. This way we are doing our part fighting against the injustice of our (only) planet.

We truly hope that a great agreement will be signed during the COP21.


Charity Calendar 2016

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You can already make (or make yourself) this gift!

This 2016 we want to be with you on your best moments!
This beautiful 2016 calendar helps save and give a proper life to primates who have not always had the luck on their side but finally found at MONA their home.

You can get yours, online at: http://fundacionmona.org/en/regala-solidaridad/

Or find it at our friend shops (points of sale):

  • BIONOFRE (ecological fruit & vegetables shop)
    Girona, C. De la Rutlla, 15 – Tel 872980239
    Banyoles, Ctra. Camós, 79 – Tel 972581474
    Vilamalla, Mas Nofre s/n – Tel 972525116
  • Bookshop ALTAÏR (guides, maps and travelling literature)
    Barcelona: Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes, 616 – Tel 933 42 71 71

We would like to thank all the collaborators that made this Calendar possible: Audax energia, Rest. Campllong Local Social, Rest. Les Oliveres, ENNA Marketing i Comunicació Creativa, Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava-Girona, Montanacolors, Lush Cosmetics, Seguritec, casa colònies Can Solà, Rest. Can Barris i B12 Rest. Bar Vegà.


Be part of the solution for these animals today