The arrival of Diallos and Lazaros groups at AAP Primadomus in Spain

Finally at the beginning of November this year, after months of preparation, hard work and organizing the animals were ready for their move to Spain. The groups which consist of 5 male Hamadryas baboons and a group of four male pigtail macaques , were prepared for their departure from Almere. Awaiting them was their newly constructed indoor and outdoor enclosures, built within an area of 7000 square metres of natural countryside. Early on the day of departure, the animal were loaded into the specially designed transportation crates. The loading of the crates in the van was complex , but finally they all fitted in.

Before their journey of over 2000 kilometers the animals were given some fruit. En route the caregivers regularly stopped to check the wellbeing of the animals and to give them more fruit. The following day the caregivers and the nine monkeys arrived around 19.30 at AAP Primadomus in Villena. Where the staff were waiting to receive the animals. The monkeys were unloaded and the crates were placed in sequence of who should be released first. Diallos group was the first to explore their indoor enclosure. The leader, Diallo, was the first to be released and sequentially the others. After the baboons were released, the macaques were relased one by one into their indoor enclosure. On entering their new environment all the animals were very calm and everything went smoothly. After a quiet night the animals explored their new surroundings within theire indoor enclosure and continued to do so for the next few days.

A week later they were allowed to explore the outside enclosure. The pigtail macaques needed no encouragement to go outside, three out of four went out immediately, later followed by the remaining one, Ino. The Hamadryas baboons were more reluctant they did not go out until the third day and then only three of them went out. Einstein was more reluctant but eventually went out, Michi has still not as yet ventured out, but we are hoping that this will change when he becomes more accustomed to his new environment.

Both groups are now taking advantage of nearly the whole of their outside area and are regularly looking for food that the caregivers have hidden for them. In a short space of time the animals have become used to their new environment.and can enjoy a tranquil future here at AAP Primadomus.