Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary — Attraction in Tawe-Uchaf

I'll start by saying that I think it's wonderful that the animals here have been given sanctuary as they are unable to be released into the wilds. Some may find the entrance fee for myself and my 2 young grandchildren, expensive at £18.50 but I didn't mind paying it as I understand that it must cost a small fortune to run the park. Our visit lasted an hour and that was enough time to see all the animals - my grandchildren had no interest in me reading the information boards to them, other than wanting to know the animals' names. Older children and adults could spend much longer here if they took the time to read all of the information boards. We arrived on a Saturday morning, having booked and paid online the previous evening. When we got there, the parking was limited, especially given that there are limited numbers of people allowed in the park at any one time at the moment, in accordance with Covid rules. When we got to the reception kiosk, I showed the lady my confirmation email on my phone with my entry number on - she said that we weren't 'on her list' for the morning. It turned out that I hadn't also booked a date in Eventbrite. I told her that I hadn't realised that I had to do that as well and she told me that it was on the website. I said that I was sorry but I hadn't seen that on there. She smirked and told me that it stated this very clearly. I apologised again and she said, still smirking, that she didn't have any room to allow us in that morning. My 7 year old granddaughter burst into tears. I asked when the next available time was and was told 1.30pm that afternoon. It was then almost 11.30am so I tried to comfort my granddaughter by saying that we wouldn't have that long to wait and we could go and sit in the car. The receptionist then told me very loudly that we wouldn't be able to wait in the car as they would need the parking space for another visitor that had booked properly. I ignored her words and again spoke to my granddaughter, telling her that we could drive to the top of the road and wait there. I turned back to the receptionist to confirm that we would be put 'on the list' for 1.30pm and she was just smirking at me and repeating how clear the booking instructions are on the website. She was quite rude and condescending to me throughout our conversation and had no empathy for my granddaughter's tears or understanding that I had made a genuine mistake, so I asked her to refund me, which she said she would do straight away. I then walked back to my car with my grandchildren. I could see that they were both disappointed and so decided that I had been a bit hasty in cancelling. I went back to the kiosk to say that we would come back at 1.30pm. The receptionist then said to me that I would not be welcome to come back and that I needed to leave straight away. I asked her why but she just said I had to leave. I asked to speak to her boss and she told me that her boss would tell me exactly the same. I should point out that at no time did I raise my voice or be disrespectful towards her so I stood there and called out to another staff member to see if they could help. The receptionist then went to call her boss who then came out to speak to me. She was a bit frosty towards me initially but I explained to her that I was sorry that I had made an error during the booking and genuinely just wanted to have a nice day with my grandchildren. She did admit that I wasn't the first person to make this mistake and that the receptionist had already had a lot of complaining customers that morning. I must admit that I wasn't that surprised to hear that, given her appalling attitude! I was then told to come back at 1.30pm. When we got back there that afternoon, we had to wait for a parking space. Another visitor was kicking off at the parking attendant over the lack of parking spaces. We did have a lovely time once we were in the park. If you are planning to visit, please make sure that you fully read the booking instructions to ensure that you don't make the same mistake as I did as it really could...

I am unsure how best to review this place as I have mixed feelings about it. I have given it 4 stars because overall the aim and purpose of the sanctuary is most important, and ultimately what they are trying to achieve is good and matters. These animals deserve to be rescued and given a better life. But that is the point at which I struggle. Are they getting the best life? I recognise that a charity cannot be flashy and modern and be a family entertainment centre. This sanctuary is not pretending to be this and some of the critical reviews have misunderstood, too used to zoos perhaps. This is ultimately about the animals so the overall look and feel is not as flashy. I completely respect that and was expecting it, so was almost glad to see it wasn't dressed up to look like a zoo. People coming expecting a play park and photo booths etc are not understanding the purpose. They will instead find plenty of picnic benches to allow visitors to sit and watch the animals while eating, drinking, resting. A great idea as opposed to an expensive restaurant away from the animals people come to see.

And the range of animals being offered sanctuary is amazing and brilliant for my kids to have the opportunity to see these creatures. Only by seeing and understanding them will they care. This place offers that opportunity to see these animals up close, being themselves. However, I do agree that the aim is slightly let down for some animals by the size of their cages. I understand not being in labs, or being bred for captivity is better, but some of the cages seemed too small and restrictive for the animals within. I know money is a factor in a charity, and I guess there are more animals that need rescuing than there is size and time to accommodate comfortably with only charity funds, but it results in slightly cramped conditions. I am not trying to discredit the goal of the charity, and recommend people visit and see these amazing animals. I just wish that the enclosures were expanded to give them more space to explore, be more free, more comfortable. That is one of the goals of the sanctuary and it doesn't feel fully met. I appreciate it is easy to criticise and I don't know how much it costs, so perhaps an impossible situation. But I would recommend people please visit with this in mind; visit a sanctuary knowing that the visit is money used to benefit the animals, not a greedy company who owns a zoo for profit, but in the hope that in doing so the conditions for these animals here can be improved even more. They are living a better life, but perhaps they could live the best life if their cages were expanded and further improved. Having no idea of what past all of the animals have had it is hard to know how much of the sad looks are based on years of depressing conditions, but it would be good to see them with extended spaces and opportunities to explore. All the staff we met were kind and helpful. There are drinks and snacks available, and a small gift shop with knick knacks and soft toys, and a very extensive second hand book shop. I was quite keen to buy from the charity items as opposed to the new toys, as I thought that was a great idea, but the items themselves are not great (and I visit a charity shop most weeks!), especially with the price tags. I appreciate again, this is a charity, but you can't expect people to want to spend twice as much on something in half the condition you might find in other charity shops. More reasonable pricing might help here.

As I stated, I gave four stars because I truly believe this is a great place with a fantastic mission. Definitely bring the family and let kids get to know these animals by seeing their eyes, knowing their difficult pasts and wanting to make sure it doesn't continue. But also hope that this support allows the animals currently being cared for to be given even better environments.

As a side note, perhaps a map might help, and more signs for the cages. Perhaps animals come and go a lot between enclosures. There are signs up for some cages...

After a visit today, not sure I would return nor recommend. Straight off, it’s good work to rescue animals that have been neglected from the start but with that at the surface, you then wonder whether this is better. The enclosures are dated and in a good need of repair. The wood is rotten and broken, the ladders aren’t ladders anymore. I understand Wales - and Britain in general - have a lot of rain and some things are unavoidable but I think maintaining these areas to ensure the primates have the proper stimulation and environment to carry out their normal behaviours are vital. I did find it bizarre that the enclosures had a lot of children’s toys but then this is coming from a personal stance - and experience - that encourages a natural environment.

Primates aside, the donkeys. It’s clear to see that one donkey is elderly and perhaps has ongoing medical concerns, but I don’t personally like seeing animals wonder in areas that have items stored. From a customer point of view, it makes it looks unkept and neglectful.

The raccoons had a good sized enclosure but the serval? The serval had a small enclosure with nothing to stimulate it or climb on. It did do a lot of pacing but this behaviour isn’t uncommon in animal collections.

The dogs from Poland. The information was good but what else is offered to them? Do they explore outside of their enclosure? Are they offered mental enrichment?

I saw a Tik tok of a keeper offering the chimp a fresh blanket and that’s what encouraged me to visit today but what I saw doesn’t reflect a positive feeling. I know the owners have replied previously to reviews with combative attitudes but this is from the prospective of a customer. I understand this is a sanctuary but, as a sanctuary you require funds to support it, to provide care for the animals and to pay wages to staff. The sanctuary is in need of repairs. The information provided on each animal is not user friendly as the colouring is not easy on the eyes, there were also boards that had been there so long that you couldn’t even read them. I also agree with the comment below, as an outsider looking in, using funds for personalised number plates is something that I would perhaps not consider doing. The van is also brand new and appears to be the only brand new item there but that said, a mode of transport is important.

I think this sanctuary has potential but like with most animal collections, it comes down to cost. I’ve worked in zoos, rescues and animal sanctuaries so this review is not coming from an anti establishment but a personal perspective of, “you need to do better”. If you can’t offer them more than what the animal has suffered prior, then it...