Our mission is one of education and understanding, and to meet these objectives, we strive for all guests who having visited any of our sanctuaries (Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary) to leave with a greater understanding of the primates, birds, apex cats and wild animals in general and to understand the threats and challenges they are facing. One of our main areas of fo
cus is to educate the public about the adverse effects of keeping wild animals as pets, in terms of both their physical and psychological health. Also important is to create visitor awareness about the rapid decline of natural habitats due to logging, mining, agriculture and urban sprawl. We encourage the visiting public to buy goods wisely, purchase only what is sustainable, to avoid products made from animal parts, or those that result in the cutting down of trees to manufacture, all the way to avoiding the purchase of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics that were tested on animals. We are a body which strives to improve the lives of captive animals including primates, birds, apex cats and any other wild animals. We simultaneously strive to challenge and change legislation which allows and/or supports trading in wild animals, or the holding of wild animals as pets. SAASA does not subscribe to any form of animal exploitation, we oppose the practice of charging clients for, or allowing clients to touch, riding, or walk wild animals on leashes and any other form of exploitation of wildlife. OUR MISSION IS:
To encourage understanding of and a commitment to the conservation of wild animals including primates, birds and apex cats. To communicate the need for healthy natural habitats; and recognition of the wild animals need for interdependence of people, their natural environment and its component resources. We are committed to reaching and engaging the largest number of people possible to enable them, through knowledge and understanding, to develop the motivation and skills to make informed choices about their lives in relation to the wise use of the natural resources around them. The South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) provides wild animals in our care with a stable environment, one with permanence and where there is no exploitation. At SAASA, care far exceeds what is required in the regulations regarding animal welfare. All SAASA sanctuaries are most importantly, places which are conducive to the wellbeing and ultimate rehabilitated both physically and emotionally of the wild animals in our care. At SAASA we strive to achieve an effective balance between conservation and economic reality. Our sanctuaries are therefore often tourism driven in order to be financially sustainable. A safari at any of our sanctuaries is much more than just an unforgettable forest and wildlife adventure; it is the vehicle that allows you to become part of what we do for the wild animals in our care. It is because of sanctuaries such as Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Jukani which go beyond idealism, and who strive to do something positive, that we can look forward to a more optimistic future.
