online casino sites worldwide

The sweetness of Africa, Waty’s dishevelled hair, Toto's look of wisdom and his position as teacher and protector in the group, the energy of Tony and the antics of Juanito...

You could experience this for yourself by taking part in Mona’s short stay volunteering holidays at the sanctuary in Northern Spain.

The chimps’ games and the relationships are so similar to our own. It was great to be so close to them, preparing and distributing their food, cleaning their sleeping areas and watching how they make their nests following a day out in the fresh air....

This was an unforgettable experience and doubly rewarding having been able to share it together with my Nephew, Pol. We both felt part of the team. Helpers and caretakers treated us very well, always ready to offer a mountain of information about the chimpanzees and macaques.

To be able to learn and have a wonderful time within the energy of these magnificent animals, and in an atmosphere full of love and care, has been without doubt an experience we look like to repeat.

If you would like to join us please email us:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Carol Garcia Mañé (short term volunteer guest)

by Amelia Sandoval

Africa is now happily integrated into the family group! Although half a year ago the association did not seem to be progressing well but within a short time Africa started to initiate contact with members of the group. Sara was the first witness of the change. We don't know who was more surprised us or Sara when Africa greeted her, as if she had forgotten that previously she had shown distrustful, evasive and even aggressive behaviour when they were together. The surprise was even greater when she decided to establish close bodily contact, smell Sara and ultimately embrace her. You can imagine our faces. Sara's expression also showed her confusion: between perplexity and suspicion, quickly changing into a nervous smile. Several times that day the scene repeated and we observed several grooming sessions between them.

She even initiated contact with other group members. Even with Juanito! Trouble-maker number one and expert in making Africa lose her temper in seconds. He was also unusually quiet on the day they were united. Of course the differences between Africa and the rest of the family didn't end at that point, but her strong personality, sociable and determination allowed her to integrate fully into the group. Being a female has also helped, as she has benefited from the support and protection of Toto, who devotes every minute of the day to her.

In August, she first went out to the outside enclosure. She went through the tunnel without hesitation, and explored inch by inch, both horizontally and vertically. She quickly adapted to the outdoor enclosure. Six months later, she roams freely and mixes with everyone. She has become an energizing part of the group, improving cohesion and promoting the independence of individuals such as Juanito. They have become inseparable companions and together they discover games and also the secrets of chimpanzee sexuality. She always searches out to our dear Victor for a hug of consolation after conflicts, and Toto is still her unconditional protector. In short, we are more than happy and she is too.

by Miquel Llorente

There is no doubt about the importance of the work that Mona has achieved within the last 10 years in the rescue, rehabilitation and resocialisation of primates. There has also been a group of people who have been working inconspicuously together studying the behaviour of the primates housed here at Mona with two main aims: to improve the welfare of these animals and also to learn about their behaviour and, therefore, ourselves also. This decade's work has really been fruitful and we hope it will be even more so in the future.

Throughout this time, there have been 31 individuals who have passed through and been a part of the Research unit team. We have also maintained partnerships and agreements with 16 Spanish and foreign universities. Opting as a priority for the training of students and also research stays has had a result that up to 121 people have carried out research projects, general help, or their doctoral thesis at our facilities, accumulating in an equivalent total of 308 months stays.

Our research in the field of Primatology, human evolution and Animal Welfare has been funded by four projects which were set-up by the Spanish and Portuguese Ministry of Science and the University of Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona. We have also been a recognised centre of interest for well-known scientific researchers and have received 11 scientists, amongst these being Jordi Sabater Pi, Jane Goodall, Richard Wrangham, Josep Call and Montserrat Colell. We believe in the importance of attending as many important scientific forums on Primatology as possible and to date have attended 47 conferences, courses and seminars. We have been present in the academic community teaching classes in two Master degrees and in 3 subjects in various universities. We believe that Mona can be a reference centre on Primatological and Naturalistic training, and have designed a training program containing 6 subject areas and 18 courses on which, to date, more than 770 people have attended.

Finally, we have believed in the sharing of results from our work, having written a total of 64 scientific papers amongst these scientific and informative articles and communications in congresses. Therefore, this was not only our ethological, but also, prodigious decade. And of the life that we dream of, we are still the best.

This is the logo Gustavo Bravo, a volunteer of the foundation since its inception, has adapted to celebrate these first 10 years of Mona’s work. We will use it in everything that we make throughout the year and we are very happy to present it to you on the cover page so that you can become familiar with it.

During 2011 all members and adoptees visiting the center will be given a sticker of the new logo.

Additionally, Francesc Punsola, creator of the original MONA logo, has made us an exclusive design for the T-shirts of the 10th Anniversary. They can be purchased throughout the year at the center or at our on-line store.

Furthermore, for the celebrations we’ll be visited by Dr. Jane Goodall and other prestigious lecturers. Other activities will also be carried out during the year and we will keep you updated. As and when we have exact dates of the various events we will post them on our website.