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On the 17th August, Monkey Forest Members will be welcomed for an exciting, informative morning event.

Member’s will be invited to join us from 10am and will be greeted with a complimentary hot drink. The they will get the awesome chance to listen to exclusive talks from the Monkey Forest team, during our quieter morning period.

After a nice, hot beverage, Member’s will head over to our brand-new Picnic Tipi by Park Director Matt Lovatt and Park Manager Lisa Wardell who will be delivering a captivating talk all about the conservational research projects that have been undertaken at our parks during the last 50 years – a fantastic dive into the research gatherings and what makes our forest so special!

Then, Marketing & PR Manager Josh Torlop will be handing out exclusive, top photography tips to help our members get the best selfies/ wildlife shots as possible at Monkey Forest!

Josh takes a lot of the pictures that you will see on display at the forest or on social media and is looking forward to sharing little digital imagery nuggets with our amazing members.

Proof of membership will be required upon arrival.

10am – Welcome drink

10:30am – Meet in the Tipi

11am – Head to park for photos and a walk!

If you are a Monkey Forest Member and would like to join us, please book your free event here.

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We were the final part of the conservation jigsaw first pioneered in Kintzeim, France in 1969 by two passionate nature enthusiasts named Gilbert De Turckeim and Jacques Renaud

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We are SO HAPPY to share with you that Monkey Forest has been blessed with the arrival of 10 BABY MONKEYS during the past 2 months!

Since we announced the first two births of the year, back in early May, 8 more baby monkeys have been born in our unique woodland – confirming an incredibly successful baby season already at Monkey Forest, as 10 babies have been welcomed to the world and into their respective groups!

The babies are very popular amongst guests, the team and the monkeys and we love sharing the baby news with everyone as and when the little ones arrive!

We have seen some lovely, wholesome behaviours within the groups towards the babies. This includes teeth chattering towards them, which can be likened to ‘smiling’, males and females doing spots of baby sitting for mum to give her a little break and some even grooming the fur of the little ones – making sure they’re all clean!

During late spring and early summer, it is a fantastic time to visit Monkey Forest as it is highly likely that little monkey feet will be tip tapping across the forest floor and visitors will have a very good chance of spotting them in all their glory.

Usually, we hope to celebrate between 6-10 births each year within the forest. So we can safely say that this year has been a fantastic year for births at the forest.

The babies are usually born high-up in the treetops late at night and our guides are the first to meet the precious new arrivals as they make their way down from the trees in the morning, whilst clinging to mum who is usually eager to get a good breakfast down her!

Luckily, they have been greeted with this precious presence TEN TIMES!!!!

Despite there being another month to go of summer, we are absolutely thrilled to confirm this fantastic number of important Barbary macaque additions. Barbary macaques are an endangered species, with less than 8,000 remaining in the wild.

So each birth each year is incredibly important for the continuation of this fascinating yet unique species of primate.

Since we opened in 2005, we have welcomed over 150 baby Barbary macaques!

We are looking to confirm the genders of the babies soon, so keep an eye out on our social media platforms as we will be announcing them as soon as possible… keep your eyes peeled like a banana!

Book a visit to see the babies here

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Trentham Monkey Forest is excited to announce the first baby arrivals of the year as two newborn Barbary macaques have been born within the past few weeks within our unique Staffordshire woodland.

The two adorable babies were born to their proud mothers high up in the trees, overnight, as the monkeys live as close to wild Barbary macaque life as possible – living in the forest all-year-round, with next to no human interference.

The Barbary macaque is the closest wild-living primate to the UK, their numbers in the wild have been declining rapidly, with their population now isolated to fragmented habitat in the mountainous regions of Morocco and Algeria. It is thought that fewer than 8,000 remain in the wild.

We are absolutely over the moon with this small but important win for the endangered species, with even more babies expected to arrive in the coming months.

Visitors to Trentham Monkey Forest can now see these playful babies and their families as they explore the forest.

Monkey Forest Park Director, Matt Lovatt, says “We are thrilled to welcome these new additions to our Monkey Forest family. They are already proving to be incredibly popular with our visitors, who are enjoying watching them play and interact with their monkey families. Barbary macaques are a highly endangered species, with less than 8,000 in the wild, so every birth that takes place at the park is very special and gives all of us so much joy.”

Monkey Forest is dedicated to educating visitors about Barbary macaques and their importance in the ecosystem. As seed dispersers, the monkeys play a key role in widening the biodiversity of their habitat.

With our successful breeding program and conservation efforts, the park is helping to ensure the survival of the Barbary macaque species for generations to come.

Trentham Monkey Forest works closely with organisations that help protect the wild Barbary macaques in Morocco and Algeria as well as other primates that are facing threats in the wild.

For more information about Trentham Monkey Forest and its conservation efforts, and to book a trip to visit the babies, head to  www.monkey-forest.com.

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Hey fellow primate enthusiasts! Hold on to your bananas because we’ve got some wild and cheeky news – Matt Gardiner, the PhD wizard from Liverpool John Moore’s University, is on a mission to decode the secrets hidden in monkey poop!

You heard it right – Matt’s not on a crazy, dung-fuelled scavenger hunt. Instead, he’s pioneering a ground-breaking way to measure faecal glucocorticoid levels in our Barbary macaques.

Matt Gardener a PhD student from Liverpool John Moores University collected monkey faeces to trial a new measure of gut health analysis. Matt travelled to Morocco in April and  used the techniques he practised here at Monkey Forest-  to conduct the same studies on wild Barbary macaques. It is hoped that this new analysis can then be used more widely with other primates.

Now, you might be wondering, “What’s the scoop on faecal glucocorticoids?” Well, buckle up, because it’s all about the health of these fascinating primate adventurers.

Why Poo Matters: The Inside Scoop on Monkey Health

Turns out, the levels of faecal glucocorticoids can spill the beans on a monkey’s well-being. Matt believes that by perfecting his method here at Trentham Monkey Forest, he could extend a helping hand to the wild Barbary macaques residing in Morocco. Imagine using poo science for the greater good of primates!

Enter Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometry: A Poo-nique Approach

Matt’s got his eyes on a potential game-changer – Fourier-Transform Infrared spectrometry. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, promise! This cutting-edge method could be the key to measuring faecal glucocorticoid concentrations in a more affordable and efficient way. Think of it as the next level of primate health detective work!

Monkey Forest has supported in-situ conservation and research since its inception in 2005. We pride ourselves in the research we facilitate, often directly helping wild primates.

Matt’s results are in the pipeline, but we hope this research helps further support the monkey in the wild.

Stay tuned for more updates as more and more primate conservation projects unfold at the forest.

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Today is World Art Day!

So we thought,  it would be fitting (and hilarious) to blend the two worlds of classical art and our cheeky Barbary macaques to celebrate some of the wonderful,  iconic pieces of art that exist in the world!

With a creative spark and a touch of attempted humour, we reimagined renowned masterpieces, infusing them with the charm and antics of our monkey residents.

From Banksy’s poignant baby balloon piece to the serene night sky of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, each artwork undergoes a delightful transformation!

As we share these mash-up masterpieces with the world, our goal is simple: to spread joy and wonder on World Art Day and beyond. Through creativity and laughter, we forge connections between art lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Join us in celebrating the magic of Barbary macaques and the enduring legacy of creative art. See the re-imagined portraits here and enjoy these iconic pieces like never before!

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As the Easter holidays approach, Monkey Forest has hatched an egg-citing plan to make your break truly memorable. Get ready to embark on a special Easter Egg trail, all made possible by their brand-new digital companion app! This adventure promises not only fun and excitement but also the chance to test your knowledge with a quiz that could lead to a special prize.

Are you up for the challenge?

Monkey Forest has taken the traditional Easter Egg hunt to a whole new level with its innovative app.

This virtual trail invites participants to find 10 hidden eggs scattered throughout the patio area, outside of the Monkey Forest, with each accompanied by clever clues to help crack the answer.

While on the Easter Egg trail, participants will encounter questions that challenge their knowledge about the wildlife and Easter Egg facts of the Monkey Forest. From quirky facts about the resident monkeys to interesting tidbits about the lush surroundings and the heritage of the conservation project. This quest is not just about finding eggs—it’s an opportunity to learn and explore.

We understand that a great adventure needs a touch of mystery. That’s why each egg possesses an intriguing clue. These hints will guide participants to the correct answer, tapp into their problem-solving skills.

Completing the Easter Egg trail is no small feat, but the ultimate challenge lies in achieving a perfect score on the quiz. Answering all the questions correctly is the key to unlocking the potential for a special prize – which will be emailed out to winners once completed (if they get 100%!) .

Monkey Forest invites participants to put their knowledge to the test and see if they have what it takes to be crowned the Easter Egg trail champion.

With our new app, the Easter Egg trail becomes an immersive and educational experience that promises fun, knowledge, and exploration!

Do you have what it takes to conquer the challenge?

Download the app, follow the clues, answer the questions, and let the Easter adventure begin…

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Trentham Monkey Forest has successfully carried out its first-ever ultrasound examination on a monkey called ‘Pretty’ and discovered that she is in fact, PREGNANT!

The video of the scan shows Pretty’s adorable bundle nestled safely within her womb and confirms her to be the first monkey mum of the season for Monkey Forest.

Pretty was visiting the RBB Vets as part of the forest’s breeding programme. Pretty gave birth last summer at the age of 8, the equivalent of around 30 years old in human years, the same as the average mum age in the UK!

Whilst there, the team was desperate to see whether she was again, an expecting monkey mum, so asked for the ultrasound scan to be performed and were over the moon to see a beautiful bundle appear!

Every year, Trentham Monkey Forest aims for between 6-10 babies, to prolong the survival of the highly endangered Barbary macaque – a species that is sadly declining in its native Morocco & Algeria.

There are said to be less than 8,000 Barbary macaques left in the wild and over 50% of the wild population has decreased in the last 40 years.

Conservationists at the forest aim to educate, inform, and raise awareness for the species, and visits to the park help fund impactful conservation projects and research studies to protect the world’s threatened primates.

The monkeys in Trentham live in the ancient Staffordshire woodland all-year-round, this preserves the natural behaviours of the primates, potentially facilitating reintroduction to the wild.

Visitors from all over the UK come to visit and see the monkeys in this unique environment and have an immersive monkey experience, particularly in the late spring/early summer when the babies are born.

The babies are born exactly how they are in the wild year-on-year high up in the trees overnight.

The team are thrilled to hear about Pretty’s healthy growing baby as usually, the first they hear or see of baby news is when a monkey mum carries her new-born bundle down from the trees in the morning when feeding the monkeys breakfast.

Park Director Matt Lovatt said.

“This is the first time we have ever carried out an ultrasound on one of the Barbary macaques we protect here in Trentham, and we’re elated to discover that she is pregnant.

With less than 8,000 Barbary macaques remaining in the wild, the new arrivals we hope for each year play a vital role in ensuring that these fascinating primates are around for future generations to see and appreciate.”

Barbary macaques are an endangered species, as classed on the official IUCN Red List.

The primates face several significant threats in their natural habitat but mainly suffer by being taken as babies for the illegal pet trade.

The park is asking for help in guessing the gender of the baby and if you get it right, you could win a PRIVATE TOUR of the 60-acre Monkey Forest when it arrives!

To be in with a chance of winning head to Trentham Monkey Forest’s Mother’s Day post and have your best guess!

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