Fundraising suspended for Joey and Tubman

As of this morning we received unexpected news from the press that Joey and Tubman were going to Wales. We are shocked and disappointed by this sudden decision by the Johnstone family who own Mole Hall. Many of us feel betrayed by the family since they had already agreed a month ago, with the full support of the staff at Mole Hall, that the chimps would be retired to the Mona Foundation sanctuary in Spain.

I have personally worked with Joey and Tubman for over five years to improve their living conditions and have formed a great relationship with the staff. It is therefore very disappointing that the family has gone behind our backs and given the go-ahead for the chimps to go to Wales.

We only want what is best for the chimps and hope that Joey and Tubman will be well cared for and happy there. We would like to thank the public and media for being so supportive of our campaign and we feel we owe it to our supporters to return their donations in light of the fact that they are not going to Spain now.   I want to also thank my UK team for their mammoth efforts.

Ironically we were ready to go!  We had the offer of a free flight to get the chimps to Spain and we were ready to take them in December.

We are very sad that Joey and Tubman will not get the chance to live in a semi-naturalistic environment with the sun on their backs.

Lorraine Docherty, Ph.D., Director of MONA-UK