13 years later, the IKEA monkey is all grown up — and his sanctuary is at capacity
CBC
Darwin knows what cameras look like – and how to avoid them. From inside his enclosure, the monkey of Toronto Ikea parking lot fame spots us out of the corner of his eye and bolts under the table.
The now 13-year-old Japanese macaque has seen enough of the spotlight to last a lifetime.
Darwin was just a baby when he was found in a North York Ikea parking lot in 2012, wearing a diaper and shearling coat, and seized by animal services. He’s been living at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary in Sunderland, Ont., ever since.
Executive director Daina Liepa had just started volunteering at the sanctuary when Darwin first arrived.
When she saw the videos of Darwin circulating online, she noticed he was walking around on two feet – Japanese macaques are naturally quadrupeds. She said the video made her think the coat and diaper were too small for his body.
Liepa said she thinks Darwin's upbringing around humans has made him shy around strangers as an adult. "He probably doesn't feel as comfortable being around people, because he was forced to be around people when he didn't necessarily want to be.”
Tuesday marked the 13th anniversary of Darwin’s escape from the parking lot and the beginning of his life at his newfound home.
These days, Liepa said Darwin loves using his indoor swing and eating grapes. She's considering introducing Darwin to his next-door neighbour, Chiquita – another Japanese macaque who calls the sanctuary home – to encourage companionship.
Story Book is the only primate sanctuary in Canada, and at 24 monkeys and lemurs, it's reached maximum capacity.
Liepa said the sanctuary recently had to turn away two monkeys who were referred there because it doesn't have space for more.
"We've never had to say no until now," she said. "Not only are there two monkeys out there that need a home, but I know there's a lot more."
When it does accept new primates, the animals often arrive at the sanctuary in need of immediate medical care.
“A lot of monkeys and lemurs lose their lives during the process of being trafficked,” Liepa adds. “When they arrive, they’re close to death.”
Like in Darwin's case, primates are most often referred to the sanctuary through animal welfare services.
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