Foundation MONA: Primate Rehabilitation Centre, Spain

Close up image of a chimpanzee with his hand covering his face, at Fondacio Mona

Volunteer Organisation Profile

Location:Riudellots de Selva, Spain

Languages Spoken: English (primarily), Spanish is an advantage

Species On-site: Chimpanzees and Macaques

Type of Organisation: Non-Profit organisation and Registered Charity

Aims of Organisation: To rehabilitate and provide ongoing care for chimpanzees and macaques that have been rescued from the entertainment and exotic pet industries. These primates have been habituated to humans so are not suitable for release. The centre provides the most natural home possible with large enclosures, enrichment stimuli and opportunities to form natural social groups. Secondary aims of the organisation include behavioural research and public education.

Types of Volunteers Accepted:

Long Term Keepers:Permanent volunteers are welcomed from a variety of backgrounds, and must commit to a 6-month minimum stay. Volunteers do not pay the charity to participate, and in addition, EU volunteers are usually assisted with financial and legal relocation support through the European Voluntary Service (EVS), as part of the Erasmus program. The shelter currently accommodates up to 4 long-term volunteers at a time. Read more below.

Short Stays as a Keeper:Short-term working holiday positions are available for those wanting a behind-the-scenes taste of working as a primate keeper. No previous experience is necessary, and the volunteer period can be from two to three days. There is a fee associated with these positions, which is used to cover the shelter’s running costs. Please note that there is no hands on contact with the animals in any volunteering role. Read more below.

Veterinary Staff: Vet or nurse training is not required to be a volunteer. Positions are more suited to those wishing to work as primate keepers.

Research Links: The organisation in heavily involved in promoting research in both ethology (behaviour) and primatology, including via Masters programs through European Universities. Furthermore, the foundation has participated in a number of international research projects, much of which has been published in scientific journals, abstracts and books. There is potential to be involved in primate research and further training at MONA.

A resident chimp at Fundacio MONA closely observes a cut apple as she pulls it apart in her hands

Introduction

It was a brisk January afternoon as I exited the station in Riudellots de Selva and made my way along a sun-dappled trail towards Fundació MONA. Nestled on the train line between historic Barcelona and the rustic city of Girona, Riudellots de Selva felt like a wonderful rural escape from the urban bustle. As I approached the long pebbled driveway, the hoots of chimpanzees echoed across the fields- an intriguing sound against the backdrop of the Spanish countryside.

The visitor centre was based in an attractive wooden building, which stocked a number of chimpanzee souvenirs and post-cards. As I waited on the balcony, I could see a pack of chimps sunning themselves in a nearby enclosure, grateful for the warmth on a frosty winter morning. Soon, I was greeted by the head keeper, Alba, who offered me a mug of hot tea, then lead me to a small garden behind the visitor centre where her team of enthusiastic long-term volunteers were gathering.

Background of Fundació MONA

The centre was founded in 2001, primarily to provide a permanent home for the many primates that have been rescued from exploitation in circuses, TV commercials and the illegal pet trade. It was created as an alternative to zoos to emulate the most natural environment possible, while nourishing the primates both physically and psychologically. The founder, a veterinarian, still sits on the board of trustees, and a team of professionals from across Europe keep the shelter running on a day-to-day basis.

visitors look on at chimpanzees on a wooden playground at Fundacio MONA
Visitors observing the chimpanzees (Photo credit: fundaciomona.org/)

Facilities

As well as housing the primates, the site features a cheery visitor centre and provides some on-site accommodation for long-term keepers. There are no on-site veterinary facilities. There are plans to move to a new expanded facility in 2020, which will provide space for additional species of primate and further facilities for public education.

Volunteer Roles

Please note that Fundació MONA is a shelter that seeks to emulate an enriched natural environment for their rescued primates, and therefore, keepers do not have any physical contact with the primates at any time. In addition, any necessary veterinary treatment is arranged through local vet practices, so MONA volunteers would not be involved in hands-on medical treatment of primates.

a happy group of volunteers stand in front of a chimpanzee enclosure at foundation MONA

Long-Term Keepers

Long-term keeper positions are suited to those interested in careers in primate keeping. Positions must be applied for well in advance, and usually involve a minimum 6 month commitment (although those with significant previous primate experience may be able to arrange 3 month stays). This role involves team work, so would suit those with good communication skills, high motivation and a reasonable level of physical fitness.

Daily tasks of the keepers vary, but may include preparing meals for the different primates, creating new enrichment challenges, cleaning enclosures, performing maintenance tasks, leading tour groups, assisting with research and observing the chimps and their social interactions.

To find out more about these roles, visit the Fundació MONA Volunteers page, the European Voluntary Service website.

Short-Term Keepers (Working Holidays)

Short-term keeper positions are suited to those with only a few days to spare, or those wanting a taste of life as a primate keeper. There is a fee associated with these positions, which is necessary to support the sanctuary. The cost depends on the length of placement and your previous association with the foundation.

Daily tasks of working holiday volunteers include working closely with the keepers to prepare meals, create enrichment environments, cleaning enclosures, and observing the animals from behind the scenes.

A panoramic view of the front of the sanctuary

Practical Information

Accommodation

Some accommodation is available on site for limited numbers of long-term volunteers, which includes self-catering facilities. Short-term volunteers will need to arrange their own accommodation, and may be able to commute on the train from the nearby city of Girona (which is a beautiful city in its own right, and a filming location for Game of Thrones).

The rustic city of Girona is definitely worth a visit

Working Hours

Long-term volunteers typically work 4 days a week, and are encouraged to spend the 5th day improving their Spanish skills (EVS provides an online language learning platform for participants). The length of the working day may vary based on needs of the animals, but are strictly within the EU guidelines.

Location- Getting to the Shelter

Address: Carretera C-25, Riudellots de la Selva, Girona, España

The shelter is in a village on the main train line between Barcelona and Girona. The train takes around 1h30 from Barcelona Sants station in central Barcelona, or 10 minutes from Girona station. You can find the timetable for this train online, mostly in English, at the Renfe website. On the timetable, the station you want to get off at is ‘Riudellots’, however be aware that the express trains may not stop at this small station.

The sanctuary is an easy walk from the train station on a sunny day.

From the station at Riudellots, the sanctuary is a pleasant 10-15 minute walk. Rather than walk along the main road, its nicer to take a stroll along a country path to get there. So, exit the station on foot and turn left immediately. You’ll walk down a driveway beside the railway lines, until you reach a passageway under the tracks on your left. Follow the path under the track as it winds right, then left, and then along a leafy path between the fields. After 5 minutes of walking, you’ll reach a road, cross it, then turn right and cross a small bridge. The driveway to the sanctuary will be on your left.

When you turn off the road, the entrance to the sanctuary is down a long gravel driveway.

If you are driving, the sanctuary is marked accurately on google maps, and there is plenty of parking.

Further Information

If you’d like to know more, Fundació MONA has an informative website in English and Spanish. You can also follow the sanctuary on facebook for regular updates.

Are you interested in what its really like to be a long-term volunteer at MONA? I sat down with Sally, Sarah and John to talk all things MONA and their love of primates- you’ll be able to read the interview soon!

Pinterest image of macaques, chimpanzees and a Fondacio MONA signpost

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