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[Press Release: May 7th, 2002] DE BURCA CAMPAIGN VISITS MONKEY SANCTUARYWicklow Green Party councillor and General Election candidate Deirdre de Burca was canvassing at the Rathdrum Monkey Sanctuary last Thursday (see attached photograph - free for use), despite the fact that monkey's don't have the vote!Councillor de Burca was showing her support for the Monkey Sanctuary, Ireland's first and only sanctuary for unwanted monkeys. Prior to their arrival at the sanctuary the monkeys had been in laboratories in England for ten years while they were experimented on. However today they live on islands in a spring-fed lake of about 3 acres in size and about 25 feet deep. Four other monkeys come from a small zoo in England. Although native to South America the monkey's don't seem to mind the cooler Irish climate and, compared to their previous life in the laboratories, it is a paradise. There is a lot of work involved in running the sanctuary and the sanctuary is always on the lookout for donations of money and material and for volunteers who wish to become involved. At the moment the sanctuary is looking for help with the cost of building a third island for two of the Monkeys who belong to a different group than the others. There are many costs involved in running the sanctuary, including veterinary bills, electricity bills (high in the winter as the monkeys houses must be heated), insurance, petrol, wood and building materials and more. The Green Party is advocating funding for research into alternatives to animal testing and the provision of support to agencies promoting animal welfare. For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org. |