Dr. Liz Tyson: Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary Director

BeProvided Conservation Radio

I am honored to have Dr. Liz Tyson as our guest today. Liz is an animal advocate with over 16 years of experience working for animal protection and conservation. Since 2018 she has been with Born Free USA and is currently the Program Director; here she is responsible for running the largest primate sanctuary. She is also leading the organization's campaign program to help stop illegal pet trade and roadside zoo operations.

Liz has worked as a freelance consultant for the organization’s linked charity, Born Free Foundation in her native United Kingdom for some years prior to taking up her current role. She has been all over the world — UK, Ireland, Colombia, Spain, Middle East, Bolivia, Ethiopia, and Peru —advocating for animals. Some of her work includes running sterilization programs for street dogs in the Middle East, and working with indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon to bring the end to hunting of wild primates.

In this episode, Liz shares the stories of the monkeys that come into the care of the primate sanctuary team. The sanctuary gives monkeys a second life after a traumatic first life. She shares the stories of rescued animals from terrible conditions at roadside zoos and how people think a monkey makes a great pet then abandons it after they realize it IS a wild animal. As these stories are sad to hear, people need to hear them to understand that wild animals as pets and these roadside zoos should not be happening.

But on the light side, we get to hear about the crotchety but lovable Mrs. Wilkin who walks with an uneven gait.

We will hear about one of Liz’s favorites (even though he pays her no mind!), Gizmo, a long tailed macaque monkey with big ears and a crooked smile.

Here are ways you can learn more and help!

Visit their website: https://www.bornfreeusa.org/primate-sanctuary/

Sign up for their newsletter (at the bottom to their webpage) to stay up to date on current legislation and news about theillegal pet trade and roadside zoos.

Adopt a monkey and learn more about them! https://www.bornfreeusa.org/primate-sanctuary/adopt-monkey/

Donate!

Fund a Need! https://www.bornfreeusa.org/primate-sanctuary/fund-a-need/

Enjoy the audio below and the gallery of photos of the monkeys at the sanctuary!