Swansea Valley’s Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary has once again counted on its ‘rock’ solid relationship with Tarmac’s Aberthaw plant which has come to the rescue and donated tonnes of cement to build a new monkey enclosure.
The new enclosure is now home to two groups of monkeys – mangabeys and capuchins – and caters for all the needs of the nine animals who currently reside here. The cement has ensured that the animals have a safe and warm environment in which to live and thrive.
This is the latest donation by Tarmac’s cement plant in the Vale of Glamorgan, which has a relationship with the sanctuary going back 19 years when it was first opened by husband and wife team, Jan and Graham Garen.
Jan explains:
“We first approached the company for a donation of cement when it was owned by Blue Circle and ever since then the company has always been forthcoming in providing support and products to help us in our plight to rescue animals from across the world.
“This latest delivery of three tonnes of cement was just what we needed to help build further enclosures for the growing number of primates we are taking in.
“As a registered charity we are solely reliant on donations like this and frankly they keep the sanctuary running. Sadly, and more shockingly, we have taken in 28 new arrivals since Christmas and so this donation of cement has been a godsend.”
The sanctuary, which is in the Brecon Beacons National Park area, rescues and provides a home for many types of unwanted animals, especially primates, such as chimpanzees, baboons, mandrills, spider monkeys, vervets, capuchins, mangabeys and marmosets. The charity also houses wolf dogs, horses, donkeys, cattle and pigs.
Tarmac Aberthaw’s Environmental Co-ordinator, Kara Bennett, is delighted that the supply of cement has been able to make such a difference and said:
“We know of the fantastic work that Jan, Graham and the team undertakes in rescuing animals that would otherwise be euthanised and so when we were approached about providing support to help in the development of the sanctuary we didn’t hesitate.
“We are delighted to have paid a visit to see the monkeys in their new home and can testify that they seem very happy with their environment – built with local Tarmac concrete!”
Aberthaw Cement Plant is the only cement works in south Wales. Cement made at Aberthaw has contributed to some of Wales’ most significant construction projects of recent time, including Pembroke Power Station, The Millennium Centre and home of the Welsh Government – The Senedd, both in Cardiff Bay.