HISTORY OF THE DANIA BEACH MONKEYS

The Dania Beach monkeys escaped from the Dania Chimp Farm in the late 1940’s. The Dania Chimp Farm was originally called the Anthropoid Ape Research Foundation (ARFF). ARFF was opened in the early 1940’s by Leila Roosevelt and Armand Dennis in Dania Beach, Florida. ARFF was both a research facility and zoo. Primates were imported from Africa for biomedical and entertainment purposes. The Ash family bought the property in 1951 and renamed it the Dania Chimpanzee Farm. The Dania Chimp Farm closed in 1957 when Florida Power and Light bought the land.

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Life in the Mangroves

Vervet monkeys live in close-knit groups centered around female family lines.

  • Females remain in their birth group for life, creating strong multi-generational bonds.
  • Males disperse around age five to join new groups. This is a natural behavior that prevents inbreeding.
  • After joining a new group, males usually stay for about three years before dispersing again.

In South Florida, where suitable habitat is limited, this natural male movement is more challenging, making the mangroves especially important for their stability and survival.

Help Us Preserve The Mangroves

How the Sanctuary Supports the Wild Monkeys

  • Medical Intervention

    When a wild vervet becomes injured or ill, the sanctuary steps in to provide medical care. To treat a monkey safely and legally, it must be taken into possession and once this happens, the animal cannot return to the wild.

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    These monkeys become permanent sanctuary residents, receiving lifelong care, healthy social groups, and a protected environment.

  • Monitoring & Safety in the Mangroves

    he sanctuary supports the wild monkeys by maintaining live-feed surveillance throughout the mangrove area.

    This monitoring allows the sanctuary to:

    • Track the monkeys’ health and movement
    • Quickly identify injuries or emergencies
    • Protect the monkeys from harassment and human interference
    • Support the overall security of the mangroves

    This assures the public that someone is watching out for both the monkeys and the community.
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