Dublin Zoo Becomes Primary Donor for the Critically Endangered Sulawesi Crested Macaque

Successful first fundraising run through Dublin Zoo announced as an annual event in support of threatened species worldwide

• Dublin Zoo held its first-ever Run for Wildlife in aid of the Critically Endangered Sulawesi crested macaque
• Dublin Zoo is now the primary donor and lead advocate for Selamatkan Yaki, supporting conservation of the Critically Endangered Sulawesi crested macaque
• Selamatkan Yaki representatives Prof Vicky Melfi, Founder, and Dr Sue Wiper, Programme Director, from North Sulawesi, Indonesia, visit Dublin Zoo to announce the enhanced partnership
• Run for Wildlife announced as an annual event, spotlighting different threatened species each year

Following the success of its first-ever Run for Wildlife in July 2025, Dublin Zoo is proud to announce a strengthened partnership with long-time conservation partner Selamatkan Yaki, becoming the programme’s primary donor and lead advocate for the Critically Endangered Sulawesi crested macaque, or “yaki”.

Held on Saturday, 26th of July, the run welcomed over 700 participants and raised an additional €3,500 in support of Selamatkan Yaki’s vital work in North Sulawesi, Indonesia – over and above Dublin Zoo’s ongoing financial support as the programme’s primary donor. Throughout the day, the event at Dublin Zoo also celebrated Indonesian culture and the importance of global biodiversity with the support of the Indonesian Irish Association and representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia.

While still in its early days, the strong public response to the Run for the yaki has inspired Dublin Zoo to make Run for Wildlife an annual event, each year spotlighting a different threatened species.

The Sulawesi crested macaque, known for its jet-black coat and mohawk-like crest, can be seen in the Asian Forest habitat at Dublin Zoo. In the wild, just 4,000–6,000 individuals remain on the island of Sulawesi. The species is in rapid decline due to hunting, habitat loss, and the illegal pet trade.

Dublin Zoo has supported Selamatkan Yaki since 2010, helping to deliver a conservation strategy based on education, outreach, protected area management, and sustainable development, all rooted in long-term research and community collaboration.

Now, with this enhanced partnership, Dublin Zoo is offering increased financial support, capacity-building, and public engagement – furthering its mission as a global conservation leader.

The announcement coincided with a visit from Prof Vicky Melfi, Founder of Selamatkan Yaki, and Dr Sue Wiper, Programme Director, who delivered a public lecture and met participants of the Run for Wildlife.

Prof Vicky Melfi, Founder of Selamatkan Yaki, said:

“Selamatkan Yaki means ‘Save the Yaki’ in Indonesian, and our work is focused not only on protecting this unique species but also the forests they call home and the communities who depend on them. To be chosen as the spotlight for Dublin Zoo’s first-ever Run for Wildlife was incredibly meaningful for our entire team. It raised much-needed awareness of the yaki and its status as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and it brought the story of this remarkable primate to a wider audience. Dublin Zoo has been a valued partner for over a decade, and this deeper collaboration — both in terms of funding and shared outreach – is a powerful boost to our work on the ground in North Sulawesi. Together, we are helping to secure a future for the yaki in the wild.”

Dr. Susan Wiper, Programme Director for Selamatkan Yaki, said:

“We are delighted to receive such strong support from Dublin Zoo – not only financially, but also through their extensive expertise in species and conservation. Selamatkan Yaki is proud to be partnered with such a dedicated and committed team. Our work is vital in raising awareness across education, government, and local communities to ensure that the people of North Sulawesi understand the importance of conserving their unique flora and fauna. By fostering this understanding, we aim to empower communities to make informed decisions that will secure the future of their forests and wildlife for generations to come.”

Dr Andrew Mooney, Senior Conservation and Science Officer at Dublin Zoo (who visited North Sulawesi in 2024 to take part in conservation workshops with the Selamatkan Yaki team and witness their work first-hand) added:

“This strengthened partnership with Selamatkan Yaki is incredibly important to all of us at Dublin Zoo. For over a decade, we’ve been supporting efforts to save the Sulawesi crested macaque – an intelligent, charismatic, and Critically Endangered species only found in North Sulawesi. Now, as their primary donor and dedicated conservation partner, we’re working closer than ever with the Selamatkan Yaki team, deepening our commitment to protecting this extraordinary species and their forest home. It’s a powerful reminder that conservation is a shared effort, and that together, we can make a difference for wildlife.”

Pictured are Dr Andrew Mooney, Senior Conservation and Science Officer at Dublin Zoo, Prof Vicky Melfi, Founder of Selamatkan Yaki, and Dr. Sue Wiper, Selamatkan Yaki Programme Director visiting from North Sulawesi, Indonesia and Dr Christoph Schwitzer, Director of Dublin Zoo

Every visit to Dublin Zoo directly supports global and local conservation efforts. This includes helping to fund over 30 conservation organisations around the world, including Selamatkan Yaki. These partners are working on the ground to protect wildlife and their natural habitats across the globe, driving meaningful, lasting change for species and ecosystems in urgent need of protection.