A lifetime of suffering has come to an end for young Unyil
Blog
Unyil was made to be a "dancing monkey," and trained from just 10 months old to perform unnatural tasks for entertainment.
The two-year-old long-tailed macaque has faced a heartbreaking start to life. Stolen from his natural habitat as a baby, Unyil witnessed his mother being killed in the brutal process of capturing him
His life in captivity was marked by unimaginable suffering. He was taught to stand upright, wear clothes, hold a bucket to beg for money, and perform degrading tricks like walking on stilts, playing dead, and assuming prayer positions.
His days were spent chained to a field alongside other captive monkeys, including Jono, another young macaque who was also rescued. Despite being near each other, Unyil and Jono were kept apart, and Unyil, fragile and scared, longed for the comfort of companionship.
At a time when he should have been with his mother, learning to navigate the forest and playing with family, Unyil was left all alone, isolated and denied even the smallest forms of comfort.
After 14 months of performing tricks on the streets, Unyil’s torment has finally come to an end thanks to our continued partnership with the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN). This recent rescue mission, one of the last major operations in our joint effort, marks another important step towards ending the cruelty faced by street-performing monkeys like Unyil.
Now safe at JAAN’s rehabilitation centre, Unyil’s journey toward recovery has begun, though it is clear the trauma he has endured will take time to heal. He remains fearful of humans and shy around other monkeys, but the local team is taking great care to ensure he has the space and time he needs to settle into his new surroundings.
For now, Unyil must remain in quarantine to prevent the spread of diseases before he can be introduced to a surrogate family of other rescued monkeys. While he is still adjusting, it’s encouraging to see that he is eating well, enjoying sweet fruits like mangosteen and watermelon, which are his favourites.
Unyil’s medical assessment revealed that, while he is underweight and a little dehydrated, he still has his milk teeth, which means his teeth were spared the cruel clipping that many street monkeys endure. JAAN’s team is focusing on helping Unyil gain weight and strength before conducting full medical exams, including tuberculosis testing and blood sampling. He is receiving vitamin supplements and a nutritious diet to boost his immune system and parasitic treatment to address his initial health issues.
Although Unyil’s first days at the centre were marked by fear and anxiety there have already been noticeable improvements. He is calmer now, observing the other monkeys in quarantine with curiosity, and eating regularly. While he still doesn’t play or interact much, these small signs of progress give us hope for his continued recovery.
Together with JAAN, we are committed to helping Unyil heal and giving him the chance to live a life free from suffering. This rescue is just the beginning of Unyil’s journey to freedom, and with continued care and support, he will one day join other monkeys in a natural, peaceful environment where he can finally experience the comfort and companionship he was denied for so long.
Image credits: Images are by Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN)