Friend,
About a year ago, a young macaque named Jono Wanto was rescued from the streets of Jakarta, where he was forced to perform as a “dancing monkey.” Trained to walk on stilts and endure painful treatment, Jono had spent most of his young life in fear. Every day was marked by suffering, until his rescue offered him a chance at something he had never known before: freedom.
Today, Jono lives safely at the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) center, a partner of World Animal Protection. Since arriving, Jono has been on a steady path of recovery. He’s become more social, confident, and—true to his monkey nature—more playful every day. While he and the other monkeys are not quite ready for release this fall as planned, he’s continuing to learn the skills he’ll need to return to the wild when the time is right.
But Jono’s story is just one piece of a bigger change.
When performing monkeys were banned, Jono’s former handler, Wanto, lost his livelihood. Instead of being left behind, he was offered a new chance: Wanto transitioned to a new profession as a clothing vendor—one that supports his family without harming animals.
This story is a powerful reminder that when we work together, we can protect animals and create more compassionate solutions for people, too.
Friend, this is the kind of change World Animal Protection is working for every day—and by supporting our work, you're part of that movement. We are so grateful to have you with us.
