Our Story
Where did it all begin?
Historically, Monkey Forest as a concept began in 1969 in Kintzheim, France. Two nature enthusiasts - Gilbert de Turckheim and Jacques Renaud, developed a pioneering idea to allow Barbary macaques to live in relative freedom, replicating the natural conditions of their wild habitat to a remarkable standard.
Their passion for primates led to the opening of La Montagne des Singes in Alsace, the first park of its kind and the start of Trentham Monkey Forest’s journey.
Fast forward to 2005, Trentham Monkey Forest became the fourth and final park to open its doors and the very first in the UK on the grounds of the historic Trentham Estate in Stoke-on-Trent.
The project was spearheaded by Guillaume De Turckheim, son of the original founder, who saw Stoke-on-Trent as the perfect home for this conservation project to continue.
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1969
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La Montagne Des Singes Opens
Our first research centre for Barbary macaques
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Frenchmen, Gilbert de Turckheim
and Jacques Renaud opened
‘La Montagne des Singes’ (Monkey
Mountain). A pioneering venture
to allow a species of monkey to
live in relative freedom with similar
conditions to the wild. Passionate
to share their love of primates and
nature with visitors to the area.
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1974
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La Foret des Singes Opens
Our second park in Rocamadour is born
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Another conservation facility for Barbary macaques.
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1976
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Affenberg Salem is created
The 3rd park arrives in Germany, near Lake Constance.
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200 monkeys relocated
from our sister parks.
Fallow deer and stork
live alongside the
4 groups of Barbary
macaques.
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1986
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A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE ATLAS
Reintroductions back into the wild.
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349 monkeys were reintroduced to Morocco
further bolster the declining
wild population.
The monkeys travelled by plane,
trucks and even by mule!
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2005
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Trentham Monkey Forest Opens
We arrived in Stoke-On-Trent!
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On the 19th July, 2005, Trentham Monkey Forest opened it's doors for the very first time after a year-long rejuvenation project of this phenomenally vast woodland, once landscaped by Capability Brown. We were the last piece of the conservation jigsaw as the 4 parks align in their mission to protect and support Barbary macaque monkeys
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