Who we are
We are a place with a unique and perhaps different approach from most zoos / zoos. Our main emphasis is on the welfare of the animals. With us, what you see is what is there.
There is no overnight closure in the cells. Some monkeys have houses (for protection from the cold, with radiator heaters), and they are free to choose to enter them or not.
The development of the forest is done for the sake of the animals. Your investment in a ticket to the Monkey Forest is an investment in animal welfare.
Our development stems from the observation processes of the care staff on our animals. Observing their behavior allows us to better understand what it takes to change, develop, add to or detract from their living spaces. So that with us you will meet plots that are built patch by patch, connected by bridges and filled with dozens of animals.
As mentioned, we do not exactly have a sampled display for the audience.
Yes, we have a team of skilled instructors at your service, explaining and answering questions. It is important for us to host you. And allow you to enjoy a "different" experience with us, such as a trip abroad. We are also busy creating quiet and seating areas for you to have space to be together. The children have a sandbox and books in our buffet.
Some history ...
The Monkey Forest began as a living area for the children of Yodfat in the 1970s. So, our squirrel monkey ancestors came from a habitat in Belgium and the place was named after them "Monkey Forest".
Even then in the 70s our attitude was that animals are an integral part of our world and we are of their world. That our destinies are intertwined and the proper sex we will treat them as partners in our life journey and not as our property. The understanding that living in cages is not the right approach to education for respect and love for nature, so the first squirrel monkeys that came to us were given a large forest plot as their territory.
Today you will meet squirrel monkeys all over the forest busy with their lives and visitor friendly. At night everyone gathers back to their plot.
In 1990 the Monkey Forest became an animal shelter, educational and touristy. Which caused us to deepen our ties with the animals and our approach to a relationship of respect and love with the monkeys and other animals in the forest.
The basis of our approach is that all animals are on one level or another like us, humans feel, feel, fear, love, get angry and live in very complex social structures that we can not really understand. Every animal and plant on our planet has a significant role to play in maintaining ecological balance. They are important to our world and deserve to live (when they are not in nature) as close as possible to natural conditions.
This is the spirit in which we treat all the animals in the monkey forest and ask you, the visitors, to respect this.
The monkeys are free to move around the entire forest as they wish.
During your visit, you may or may not meet the band in a smooth area.
In any case, there will be guides who will guide you to where they are.
We know it's hard ... but we must not pet the monkeys or try to catch them or touch them in any way.
Monkeys, on the other hand, are allowed to come to you, to sit on your knees or on your shoulder or head as you wish.
The monkeys must not be fed by hand at all.
The monkeys are wild animals and not a pet. Therefore we do not accustom them to eating by hand and do not manipulate them to approach.
Squirrel monkeys can only be fed on larvae sold locally.
The larvae are placed for the monkeys on the ground, just as they would look for larvae in the ground in the rainforests.
Please respect the instructions and obey the instructors.
thanks in advance for your cooperation!
The Yodfat Monkey Forest team
We invite you, nature lovers and animals, to come, walk leisurely along the forest paths, meet the animals that live in it, without compromising the trust created with the animals, their safety and of course it is very important to preserve and not harm the vegetation.
But wait ... what animals do we have?
Squirrel monkeys, Cancer macaque monkeys, Green honeysuckle monkeys, teachers, cappuccinos, ponies, goats, sheep, alpacas
Parrots, waterfowl, ostriches, Australian mother, ferrets, elk, Israeli turtles, water turtles, snakes and other animals that you can discover during your visit to us.
Because we are a haven for animals, there are always surprises with animals that are added or released into nature.
When you arrive, please remember that this is the pavilion of the animals in the monkey forest and you, dear audience, the guests in the pavilion.