An online fundraising campaign is attempting to raise enough money to build a new sanctuary to hold several primates, including the "Ikea monkey."
Darwin the Japanese macaque made international headlines when he was found wandering a Toronto Ikea store in December 2012. Photos were shared worldwide of Darwin wearing a shearling coat, waiting for his owners as they shopped.
Darwin was placed in the care of Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, located in Sunderland, Ont., when a judge ruled that he should not be returned to his owner.
Two years after Darwin rose to Internet fame, he and 21 other monkeys which became his new family are in need of a new home.
A crowdfunding site was set up on Tuesday asking the monkey's fans to donate money to go toward a new home.
"Our proposed new home has 56 acres of rolling hills with trees aplenty and ample space," the sanctuary's crowdfunding site says.
The facility owners hope to buy two homes on the land and an area that could easily be turned into a vet clinic. There are already 20 monkeys living at the new facility which would be taken in by Story Book.
The crowdfunding site is asking for $490,000 to buy the property and cover other expenses. According to the website:
- $250,000 would go toward a down payment
- $40,000 would go toward full-time animal care staff for one year
- $100,000 would go to building upgrades
- $100,000 would go toward future funding
As of Tuesday afternoon, only $3,270 had been raised, but the campaign will remain open until Dec. 31.
Those interested in making a donation won't leave the site empty-handed. A $10 donation buys a "virtual kiss" from Darwin while a $100,000 donation buys a land trust.
A full list of "perks" is available on the website, along with information about the organization and other ways to help out.
