Ellis Park Sumatra is a sanctuary for wildlife with special needs
We rely solely on the generosity of donors to keep our operations running. Regular donations really help us.
SPONSOR A RESIDENT
All our of 100+ residents have some form of disability and require special care. For a small amount each month, you provide a unique opportunity for a animal to thrive. By sponsoring an animal, you can help their care and well-being.
Amelia
Amelia was rescued the same time as Henri. She too is just a tiny baby, however she is extremely traumatised. Amelia is showing signs of depressive behavior and is very frightened of humans, she becomes very aggressive if approached. When Amelia first arrived at Ellis Park, she hid in a corner and it took days for our veterinary team to coax her out from hiding. Veterinary treatment and weighing her is impossible without her being sedated. Amelia is slowly becoming familiar with her new surroundings and has formed a lovely bond with Henri. The two of them love wrestling and playing together. Unfortunately, Amelia is unable to be released into the wild, as she has been deprived of bear skills for too long and wouldn't survive if she was to be released.
Brad
Brad had been kept as a pet in a steel cage the size of his body. All his teeth fell out as he tried for years to free himself by biting on the steel bars. His captor finally decided to free him and did so in a village waterway, posing risk and fear to the locals. We were called to rescue by the authorities. We constructed a special enclosure for Brad where he is able to wander and enjoy his very own water dam.
Henri
Henri is a victim of the illegal wildlife trade. He is only a baby and had been kept in a cage separated from the other baby bear Amelia, with absolutely nothing to stimulate him. Nothing to climb, nothing to keep his mind active and was often deprived of food and water. The ground in the cage was littered with discarded bricks, making it difficult for him to even walk. We had hoped that Henri could join Mano at forest school, however, as he had been deprived of anything natural in the cage, he hasn't learnt how to use his claws to climb or forage, which are essential for survival skills in the wild. Henri is extremely playful since he arrived at Ellis Park, however he is very clumsy. He especially loves playing with Amelia.
Rina
Rina was rescued end 2018 from a wildlife traders house in Bandung, West Java. In the back of the house, we heard the cry of a lonely primate we later named Rina. She was chained to a pole and both hands were open to the bone, she was biting herself and crying in pain at the same time. The owner had thrown gasoline on her hands in an attempt to dry the wounds: These wounds were a result of her trying to free herself and from being in agony. It was extremely shocking for our rescue team to see her in such a state, so we took her with us. We couldn't save her hands, the bones were visible, her tendons were torn and broken, the arm was infected. The veterinary team made the difficult decision to amputate both arms. Rina managed to adapt to her handicap yet she cant ever be released back in to the wild.
Trinity
Trinity spent 20 years of her life as an illegal pet, locked in a small, filthy cage at the rear of a property. Trinity had half her right arm amputated with a machete, as she clung to her mother when she was brutally killed. Her left leg was also broken below the knee and never treated, deeming it unfunctional. When we rescued her, she also had a very tight chain around her neck which had imbedded into her flesh. Due to her disabilities, Trinity can never be released back into the wild.
Elsa
Elsa is an albino monkey and was confiscated in 2017 along with her twin Anna, from an international wildlife trader. They were rescued during a raid where three baby gibbons and the two albino monkeys were about to be placed inside small boxes, inside a sports bag, inside a car trunk and then sent to the airport to be exported illegally. Anna and Elsa were tiny babies and needed our intensive care and nursing, just as their mums would do, from whom they have been brutally taken away from to be sold as a pet. Our team cared for them intensively for over one year around the clock, feeding them every two hours like their mum would do. In March 2023 a massive reticulated python found its way into Anna and Elsa's enclosure and sadly killed Anna, leaving her twin Elsa alone. Elsa was bred in captivity and in fact are a mistake of nature due to breeding for a unique look. Due to this, she can never be released into the wild.
Baron
Baron's story is very sad. Back in 2014, Baron was an ex pet monkey who was loose. We don't know if his owner just let him go (which often happens when primate owner cant handle the monkeys anymore), or if he escaped. Baron was confused and tried to come close to humans for food, but because people were scared of him, they threw rocks and one man beat him within an inch of his life with an iron stick. When we rescued Baron, his body was blue and bruised, he was extremely depressed and his eyes thick, swollen and closed shut. He had such bad concussion from the beating that he couldn't walk straight and had difficulties maintaining his balance. It was later discovered that the beating had resulted in brain damage. Over the years this has improved, but he can never be released back into the wild. Baron is currently living at our Java rescue facility and will relocate to Ellis Park as soon as we have room for him.
Pearl
Pearl has a very sad story. She is completely blind and has been alone all her life. Noises frighten her and she is extremely nervous, as she cannot see what's happening around her. We rescued Pearl from a government quarantine facility where she had spent many years. She had been confiscated by authorities from the illegal wildlife trade. Pearl now resides with us and we hope to gently introduce her to another quiet primate, so she can feel safe and secure in the company of a friend.
Baby
Baby is an extremely young Sumatran Gibbon who we rescued from a wildlife trader, we found her and many others packed in small cages. She was destined to be sold on the black market. As she is only a few months old, Baby will be receiving intensive care in our onsite clinic for quite some time. Sadly, then she was taken from the jungle, the poachers killed her mother as she clung to her. Due to her young age, we are unsure at this stage if she will able to be released into the wild.
Oscar
Oscar is a nocturnal Slow Loris who sadly climbed a power pole and grabbed hold of the wires. Oscar suffered severe electrocution and burns as a result. Oscar sleeps during the day and becomes active at night. Slow Loris are solitary creatures and their cuteness is very much a curse. Often poached from the jungles to be sold as illegal pets. Slow Loris have toxic bites which can be fatal to humans, therefore poachers snap off their teeth so they can be handled.
Flea
Flea is the head of our family of Meerkats. He is one of the 1,300 animals found during the interception of an illegal wildlife smuggling attempt. Flea and his family are mischievous and curious little critters. They love digging in the sand, playing and scratching. We often put hessian bags in their enclosure, which they love to hide in.
Balou
Balou was poached from the jungles of Sumatra by a wildlife trader, she was smuggled from Sumatra to Bali. When our team found her, she was packed into a compartment on a bus on the way to Denpasar. Since her rescue in 2016, Balou had lived at a rescue centre alone, without any companionship. Balou was taken from her mother before she was weaned and would have normally stayed with her for nearly three years, learning the essential skills of the jungle. As that opportunity was stolen from her, she would not survive if released.
How much of my donation goes to the cause?
100%
We do not deduct any admin fees. All donations go directly to Ellis Park and our residents.
Donate monthly and help feeding and caring for our residents
Your donation will help us with providing food, medical care, distraction and toys, maintaining and upgrading enclosures, and much more!
Join 500+ supports!
COFFEE SACRIFICE
Coffee sacrifice is a wonderful way to support us and help the wildlife in our care. For the cost of a coffee, you will be making a big impact.
Join the 200+ trees!
Plant a remembrance tree at Ellis Park for a loved one.
Plant a fruit tree at the Ellis Park Wildlife sanctuary in the memory of a loved one.
Your remembrance tree will include the name of your loved one on site. Once your tree has been planted we will send you a certificate with a photograph of your tree.Your remembrance tree will help feed the disabled wildlife in our care.
WHAT IS ELLIS PARK?
Some animals rescued from abuse and the illegal wildlife trade carry wounds that never fully heal. Disabilities, trauma, or a lifetime without survival skills mean that returning to the wild simply isn't possible for them. These animals deserve more than survival, they deserve a place to thrive.
Ellis Park is that place
Located in Sumatra, Indonesia, our sanctuary provides a loving, permanent home for wildlife that can never be released. Here, each resident receives specialised care, a safe environment tailored to their needs, and the chance to simply be! Free from fear, free from chains, free from suffering.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Ellis Park is operated by JAAN Indonesia, a local wildlife NGO that has been rescuing and protecting Indonesian wildlife since 2008. Before Ellis Park, there was no solution for animals that couldn't be released back into the wild.
JAAN desperately needed to expand and open it's own sanctuary. Thanks to Lorrinda Jane, Australian musician Warren Ellis was introduced to JAAN's co-founder Femke Den Haas. They all met through Zoom call during Covid and Warren immediately wanted to get involved. In 2021, the existing Sumatra Wildlife Center (JAAN's rehabilitation facility in Sumatra) was able to extend with 5,000 square meters of land for Ellis Park.
Warren Ellis
"I was first introduced to Femke and her work with animal protection in Indonesia by my old mate Lorinda Jane in February 2021. Within the space of 30 seconds I knew I wanted to support Femke and her cause. I was blown away by what she has achieved, she is a force of nature. It was the story and images of Rina (the monkey with both arms amputated) and a little dog with a broken jaw that made me want to help.
For a long time I have wanted to get involved with helping animals but was never sure where and what to do. Femke told me there was some land available next to her wildlife centre in South Sumatra, that would be ideal for a forever home for animals who are unable to be released back into the wild due to their injuries sustained from maltreatment by humans. Eventually my family and I were able to purchase and donate the land to JAAN Indonesia.
So it is with great pleasure we are able to open the Ellis Park wildlife sanctuary. A beautiful work in progress. Rina is the symbol of our sanctuary. Things need to be built and animals need to be healed and fed, you can help with building costs or by sponsoring a resident. The dream is to eventually extend, so we can house elephants and other large animals needing a forever home. Please help if you can by donating and follow the growth of Ellis Park."
MEET THE TEAM
Every donation, no matter how small, helps provide a safe and loving home for the 100+ animals in our care.
We are grateful for any support you can offer. Your contribution can make a huge difference in the lives of abused wildlife.
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Watch Ellis Park the movie!
A heartwarming film was made about Australian artiest Warren Ellis and Ellis Park Sumatra.