About the animals

1. Are any animals born at AAP?

Very rarely does an animal get born in our rescue centre. The female animals at AAP get an implant placed to prevent them from getting pregnant. If AAP didn't place implants, our centre would soon fill up with young animals and no space would be left for animals on the waiting list. Nevertheless, some animals do get born at AAP. The reason for this is twofold: Some animals are already pregnant on arrival and in very exceptional cases the implant does not function adequately.

2. Can the animals at AAP also be kept as pets?

As far as AAP is concerned no exotic animals should be kept as pet. The very many animals from individuals that AAP has taken in over the last decades make it clear that keeping exotic animals as pets often leads to drama for man and animal alike. Apart from that, it is prohibited by law to keep certain animals, among which monkeys and apes.

3. Can I hold a monkey or have one on my lap?

No, at AAP you cannot hold or even touch the animals. Most of the animals that are taken in by AAP have led a traumatic life. They need to recover mentally as well as physically. Because many of the animals lived without company before their arrival at AAP, they must learn how to deal with peers and how to behave as an animal.

AAP uses a strict hands off policy to give the animals the opportunity to quietly learn how to deal with peers and to acquire a place within their peer group.

Besides, wild animals can be dangerous and unpredictable. For example, a full grown chimpanzee is five times as strong as a full grown man. Also, smaller animals can bite and inflict considerable wounds.

4. I own an exotic animal and cannot deal with it anymore. Can AAP take care of it?

At AAP, we register all possible problems that come to our attention. Unfortunately it is not feasible to undertake rescue operations in other countries. AAP tries to persuade tour operators and travel agencies to urge holiday makers not to have their picture taken with animals. Also, AAP endeavours to provide as much information as possible and to make governments and organizations aware of the suffering that goes on in the animal trade and the entertainment business. Click here for more information.

5. Whilst on holidays I saw a distressed monkey. Can AAP help?

AAP registers all possible problems pointed out to them. Unfortunately it is not feasible to undertake rescue operations in other countries. AAP tries to persuade tour operators and travel agencies to urge holiday makers not to have their picture taken with animals. Also, AAP endeavours to provide as much information as possible and to make governments and organisations aware of the suffering that goes on in the animal trade and the entertainment business.

Have you seen an ape or a monkey in distress? Let us know! Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .