The former owner of the infamous Japanese macaque that escaped from a vehicle in an IKEA parking lot is getting set to launch the first in a series of books about her darling Darwin.  Yasmin Nakhuda says she will be launching book one titled “Adventures of Darling Darwin: Monkey Mess” during a fundraising party on April 6^th.

“The writing of the book I found very therapeutic myself.  Sitting here and just thinking about him behind bars is not a very happy feeling.  By writing about him and trying to bring him to life in a different way, a happier way, I can imagine things that he would be doing and would be making him happier.”said Nakhuda. 

Nakhuda is also hoping the funds raised from the book are able to chip away at her mounting legal bill.

“The preliminary battle is approximately $138,000.  That’s what we were quoted for the first two motions (in court).  And we’ve not even gone through trial yet.  To go to trial we have been quoted quite highly as well on that.  So we’re estimating that if we do lose it could be between $300,000 or more.  If we do win then obviously it’s a different story but we still have to pay our lawyers.”Nakhuda told Newstalk 1010’s Amber Gero.

Yasmin Nakhuda says she will also be launching a new non-profit organization called Darling Darwin Monkey Friends and Co., a group that will help the owners of exotic pets.  Nakhuda hopes the organization’s first task will be helping her build a personal sanctuary for Darwin if she is awarded custody.  Nakhuda would have to move to a different jurisdiction as monkeys are illegal in the Greater Toronto Area. 

The book launch and fundraising dinner will take place on April 6^th at the Manchurian Madurai restaurant in Mississauga.  Tickets are being sold for $75.

The book will be available online at darlingdarwinmonkey.com.

UPDATE:  On Wednesday, Nakuda said that her previous estimation of the total cost of a trial was incorrect.  She has been told that the most a losing-effort could cost is roughly $150,000, not $300,000