Macaque Rescue

Project Summary

Across Indonesia, long-tailed macaques face growing threats to their survival. Caught from the wild, these intelligent primates are exported to overseas laboratories, kept in chains or tiny cages as pets, and exploited for human entertainment, particularly on social media.

Our partners, YIARI, work tirelessly to end this cruelty. Through rescue and rehabilitation, public education, and support for law enforcement, they are giving macaques a second chance. These social animals are being helped to heal, recover their natural behaviours, and, where possible, return to the wild, where they truly belong.

Local Partner: YIARI

Project Aims and Impact:

The Full Story

A Hidden Crisis

The illegal trade in long-tailed macaques is widespread but often overlooked. Many people assume that long-tailed macaques are too common to be at risk, but this perception is dangerously misleading. While they are still seen in cities and tourist areas, wild populations are declining rapidly.

Widespread habitat loss, illegal capture, and increasing conflict with humans are putting growing pressure on the species. In fact, the long-tailed macaque was recently classified as endangered by the IUCN, a clear sign that their survival is in jeopardy.

A Place to Recover

Thanks to your support, a dedicated primate rescue centre was established in Java in 2009. Run by our partners, YIARI, the centre provides medical care, behavioural assessment, and a safe space for recovery.

Infants are often stolen from the wild after their mothers are killed, then sold into years of confinement and abuse. Chained, starved, and often forced to perform, their physical and psychological trauma is profound. Traumatised, most require long-term rehabilitation before they can begin to recover their natural behaviours. Those that can are suitable for release are socialised in small groups, before they are returned to safe, protected forest habitats. Those who cannot be released are given lifelong sanctuary and expert care.

Changing Attitudes and Protecting Wild Populations

Our partners, YIARI, take a holistic approach to every challenge. When it comes to protecting macaques, this means tackling the root causes of the problem as well as the symptoms. YIARI work closely with local communities to shift attitudes and reduce the demand for macaques as pets or performers. Through education programmes in schools and specialist training for law enforcement, they help people recognise and respond to wildlife crime.

At the same time, YIARI are committed to safeguarding wild macaque populations by addressing habitat destruction and reducing human-wildlife conflict. It is all part of our shared mission to protect Indonesia’s primates and safeguard their precious rainforest home.