Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Darwin, The Ikea Monkey, To Remain At Sanctuary After Change Of Ownership

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Sep, 2015 03:55 PM
    SUNDERLAND, Ont. — The Ikea monkey doesn't have to worry about finding new digs now that new owners have bought the sanctuary and the property where he lives.
     
    Darwin — who became famous in 2012 when he was found wandering outside a Toronto Ikea store wearing a shearling coat — has been living at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary since a court placed him there.
     
    Darwin and 19 other monkeys faced eviction after the sanctuary's previous owner went through a divorce and decided to sell, according to Story Book board member Daina Liepa.
     
    "This is our dream to stay here because moving the monkeys would be incredibly stressful on them," Liepa said.
     
    The board had trouble raising money to buy the land since it went up for sale about a year ago. They feared they wouldn't be able to find Darwin and the other animals a new home.
     
    Then, Liepa said, two generous benefactors came forward to buy the property and officially closed the deal in mid-July.
     
    Liepa said the new owners want to remain anonymous, but the day-to-day operations of the sanctuary will remain with the board and its team of volunteers.
     
    They have big plans to expand the sanctuary — potentially doubling its capacity for monkeys — and renovating the existing structures on the sprawling land northeast of Toronto.
     
    Liepa said they also plan to make themselves heard in the community, raising awareness about the exotic pet trade in Canada.
     
    "We feel strongly that people should be aware of what we're doing, who we are and what our intentions are and encourage education about primates," Liepa said.
     
    The sanctuary has an agreement to bring in two more monkeys once they are done being used for research at an unnamed university.
     
    "It's so easy for universities to euthanize them — it's much cheaper and easier — but we want to make it easier to keep them alive," she said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Car-Truck Collision In Quebec Leaves 3 Dead

    Car-Truck Collision In Quebec Leaves 3 Dead
    Quebec Provincial Police say all three victims were in the car, which ended up beneath the truck due to the impact of the collision at about 8:30 p.m.

    Car-Truck Collision In Quebec Leaves 3 Dead

    Indo-Canadian Edmonton Lawyer Justin Sidhu Who Smuggled Drugs Into Prison, Gets 4 Years In Jail

    Indo-Canadian Edmonton Lawyer Justin Sidhu Who Smuggled Drugs Into Prison, Gets 4 Years In Jail
    Charged with delivering six grams of banned methamphetamine to an inmate at a remand centre, Justin Sidhu was convicted of drug trafficking in June this year

    Indo-Canadian Edmonton Lawyer Justin Sidhu Who Smuggled Drugs Into Prison, Gets 4 Years In Jail

    B.C. Coroner Identifies Boater, Hiker Who Died In Separate Incidents

    VANCOUVER — The BC Coroners Service has identified two men who died in separate incidents. Sixty-seven-year-old Steven Munro died in a boating accident.

    B.C. Coroner Identifies Boater, Hiker Who Died In Separate Incidents

    Calgary Bake Shop Customer Leaves Staff A Whopping $525 Tip, By Accident

    Calgary Bake Shop Customer Leaves Staff A Whopping $525 Tip, By Accident
    Workers at the Sidewalk Citizen didn't notice the generous gratuity until they were cashing out at the end of the day.

    Calgary Bake Shop Customer Leaves Staff A Whopping $525 Tip, By Accident

    Oops! Ontario Couple Accidentally Sells Treasured Wedding Video In Garage Sale For $3

    Oops! Ontario Couple Accidentally Sells Treasured Wedding Video In Garage Sale For $3
    Randy Ladouceur of Penetanguishene, about 150 kilometres north of Toronto, says the video was in a box with a few dozen other VHS tapes including "The Land Before Time" and other cartoons.

    Oops! Ontario Couple Accidentally Sells Treasured Wedding Video In Garage Sale For $3

    Eeeew! Calgary Cab Driver Assaulted With Bag Of Vomit

    Eeeew! Calgary Cab Driver Assaulted With Bag Of Vomit
    A 33-year-old woman has been charged with assault after a bag of vomit was hurled at a Calgary cab driver.

    Eeeew! Calgary Cab Driver Assaulted With Bag Of Vomit