One of our favorite excursions when we go on a day out is the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary. It a very cool learning experience for the entire family. The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary is situated just north of Clearwater at 4600 Alternate Highway 19 North, Palm Harbor. The site is situated between Klosterman Road and Alderman Road. Here is our guide to everything you can do at the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary.
Introduction
The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary was founded 1954 as a retirement home from chimpanzees that had worked in show business. The idea of a haven for rescued and retired animals took off and today over 120 animals live out their days in comfort and safety.
The Sanctuary was the inspiration of Robert and Mae Noell. They were performers who staged shows that included magic, juggling, vaudeville and performing chimpanzees. The couple loved their chimps and determined that once they were no longer performing, would enjoy a carefree retirement. They bought the site of the Primate Sanctuary as they felt it would enable them to care for other retired animals too.
The animals include primates like monkeys, orangutans and chimpanzees. Also, there are reptiles and birds of various kinds. These animals come from a variety of places, including those rescued from homes where they were abused, the trade in exotic pets, rescued from research laboratories and retired animals from the movie industry and show business.
The Sanctuary is a non-profit making organization which relies on donations for its funding. Individuals, companies and corporations and charitable foundations all help by donating much needed funds. Volunteers are also an important part of the organization.
The residents
The level of care given to the animals that live at the Sanctuary is exemplary. As a result, many of the animals live much longer than they would in the wild. A chimpanzee living in the wild might expect to live to about 34. In the Sanctuary the oldest chimpanzee – called Sheila – recently passed her 74th birthday.
Sheila is one of the stars living in the Sanctuary. Shawn the chimp is a talented artist, and Julie and Ruby the orangutans are waiting to meet you. Another favorite is Pongo the orangutan who might seem a bit distracted sometimes but does really enjoy visitors.
The Sanctuary is also home to some smaller primates including some gorgeous capuchin monkeys, a gang of mischievous macaques, some really lazy lemurs, some chattering baboons along with spider monkeys and vervets. Other than the primates that are the main occupants of the attraction, there are ducks, goats, geese and tropical birds – macaws, parrots and cockatoos.
Some local wildlife is also protected and cared for at the Sanctuary. There are snakes – you can even hold one! – alligators, turtles and tortoises. Perhaps not quite as cuddly as the monkeys, but just as interesting.
Visiting the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is open from Thursday through Sunday each week between 10am and 4pm. It also opens up to the public on the major public holidays.
The cost of visiting is by way of donation. Adults are asked for a $15 donation and kids between 3 and 10 years of age are asked to donate $10. Toddlers – that’s those under 3 – and free to enter. It is possible to obtain an annual pass, again in exchange for a donation, which will allow access to the Sanctuary all year round.
The Sanctuary will close if there are lightning storms and violent weather conditions in the area. Some the animals get very agitated in bad weather and need protection. From a public safety view it is better to keep the site closed in such conditions.
Around the Sanctuary site are picnic tables so you can confidently bring a picnic, drinks and snacks knowing there is place to eat. Please do not bring alcoholic drinks onto the site. There are toilets on site. It must be stressed, however, that there is no shop; nor are there any concessions. You will take away wonderful memories, but not souvenirs.
Remember to take a camera with you. You will be sure to get some wonderful photographs as keepsakes of your visit. It is not possible to touch or feed by hand most of the animals – not even the alligators! Food for the monkeys and other primates is available at $1 per scoopful. There is a super system of pulleys and feeding chutes for you to use to get the food to where the animals can reach it.
Between 11 am and 2 pm each day the Sanctuary is open you can meet the caregivers (they are not zookeepers as this is not a zoo). They will introduce you to the educational animals – you can even have a snake draped around your neck! During the same hours you can visit the reptiles and meet their caregivers.
The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary is in sunny Florida so don’t forget to check the weather before you leave home take sunscreen with you, and some bug spray!
Educational Trips
The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary believes that one of its most important roles is to educate the public about the animals and animal welfare. School and camp groups are welcome to visit for a day that includes an educational tour of the site, encounters with the animals themselves plus information about feeding and caring for the animal’s health and wellbeing.
Schools are invited to timetable an in-school presentation. The Sanctuary will bring along some animals for the students to meet, and also lots of information about them. This is a learning experience that they will never forget.
Volunteering
If you found your visit informative, enjoyable and rewarding, then you might want to volunteer to spend a few hours a week helping out. The Sanctuary is entirely run by volunteers so this is an important role.
There are a number of areas in which you can volunteer. Maintenance is one important area as it is vital that the site and buildings are kept in good repair. Animal caregivers look after the animals and ensure they are all in the best of health, properly fed and kept clean.
As a gatekeeper you would be asked to greet visitors, take their money and ensure they know where to go. Tour guides need to have confidence and if possible some public speaking experience. In addition there are administrative roles and community organizer roles.
Conclusion
The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary is a lovely place to visit, where you will meet people who are devoted to the care of animals that otherwise might have been abandoned and mistreated. Spend a day at the Sanctuary and leave with lots of fantastic memories. Children will love the chance to meet some of the animals in a caring and loving environment. After a fun day out at the sanctuary, there’s nothing better than chilling in your own private garden with a hot tub and heated pool at the Eiko’s Beach House.
