On Saturday 5th July we were called with news of an injured colobus at Baobab Resort. We packed up the gear, nets and all, and rushed over to where the monkey had been sighted. Much to our surprise, when we got there we did not find an injured Colobus, but in fact found a tiny baby Sykes monkey, which had been abandoned by its mother. The initial check showed that the baby, which looked to be about 2 weeks old, still had the umbilical cord and amniotic sack still attached, and had a large clump of fly eggs on its back indicating that it had not been being groomed by its mother. We checked around but could not find the mother anywhere. The level of dehydration indicated that the baby had been away from it’s mother for at least 1 day if not more, and it was evident that the mother was not going to return for it. When we got back to the animal welfare clinic we cleaned the baby monkey, and gave her a physical check. The baby was found to be a baby girl, and apart from being dehydrated, and having a small graze its right cheek, it had no other injuries. She was then given a glucose mix, which she drank quickly, and was then wrapped up and allowed to sleep.
As the Colobus Trust does not normally hand-rear abandoned monkeys, a local woman Kirsten was contacted. Kirsten has many years experience in hand rearing a range of different monkey species including Sykes monkeys, and said she would be happy to take her, but it would have to be the following week. As a lot of care is needed for such a young animal I volunteered to act as the monkeys ‘Surrogate mother’. Scientifically, as Toto’s situation was due to natural circumstances, and not because of human impact, we should probably have left the baby monkey where she was and let nature take its course. However, the hotel wanted the baby removed so as not to disturb its guests, and knowing that Kirsten would take her in, we decided this was the most humane thing to do. As with most cases of hand-reared animals, it is likely that the baby monkey will become habituated and therefore will never be able to be released. In most rescue cases the monkeys care for at the Trust are not given names. However we realised that as we would be caring for her continuously we needed to call her something. One of the staff members referred to the baby monkey as Toto, as it is the Swahili word for baby, and we decided that this was a good name for such a tiny little creature.
Toto moved onto baby milk later that night and continued to do well. I sat up with her to make sure she was eating and sleeping ok. At 4 am it was obvious that she was doing fine, so I wrapped her up in her blanket, and we went to bed. She slept in the bed happily, and during the night decided that the most comfortable position was to lie along my collar bone. The following days Toto continued to do well, doing all the things a baby monkey should do, except by the end of day 2, I realised she hadn’t pooed yet. We rang Kirsten and she suggested we tried feeding her grapes. We did as instructed, and not only did Toto love them, but her constipation was soon relieved. She was obviously a lot more comfortable, and was now becoming a very lively and happy little Sykes.
Since she was rescued Toto’s strength has continued to improve and she is becoming more inquisitive and playful every day. Although I will miss looking after her, I know that Toto will do well with Kirsten and she will enjoy having other baby monkeys to play with. Emma Shepheard - Walwyn (Colobologist)
A wet, yet fun, two weeks since my arrival at the trust. Several days have been spent out with the casuals searching the woodlands for snares. On one outing we found more than 10 snares, the next day we found none, but that is probably better news. After several days at the cottage I hadn’t caught sight of the colobus monkeys and was wondering whether man’s encroachment in Diani had finally got the better of them, but at the end of the week we went out on the colobus check and totaled 37 individuals, divided into 5/6 troops. We even saw some making use of the colobridges - nice. Some of the highlights of last week included the successful capture and release of a python invading a local resort. I am told that snakes (whether poisonous or not) are viewed as dangerous pests by most of the locals. They are therefore normally dispatched immediately. To get this one out of harms way was good news for our serpentine friend; if only monkey capture and release were so simple! During our outreach programme our young volunteer Claire (who comes from Seattle (with her parents!)) proved popular with the local kids. We visited Mkokoni School, on route to Mombasa. This school had a great programme dedicated to tree conservation. The children were knowledgeable of trees and their roles in ecosystems and in many ways in speaking of the ills of deforestation we were preaching to the converted, but they enjoyed learning more about how they could help the primates of Diani.
Hi! I’m Claire, and I’m a 9-year-old volunteer at the Colobus Trust. I am from Seattle, Washington, in the U.S.A. It is an amazing and beautiful place here, with monkeys everywhere! A troop of nine Colobus monkeys roam around these grounds. Tumaini, born in April (the baby Colobus monkey) is acting so grown up (or at least trying to) but is still so tiny and cute!
Yesterday, 15 kids from Magutu Primary School came to learn about the Colobus Trust and what they do. I think they learned a lot and I learned a lot too! Afterwards we played on the beach and that was fun too (I think it was the most fun My favorite place here is the beach with white sand, palm trees, crabs crawling all around, and the beautiful warm water. Me If you ever come to Diani, COME HERE AND HELP SAVE THE COLOBUS MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check out our family photos on the Flickr Colobus Trust photo group:
Today I’m in Diani Beach for a week now and the first week of working at the Trust has passed very quickly. I will give a short impression of the Trust and my first week of volunteering, after introducing myself. The first day of my stay I have helped John with animal welfare. In the beginning it was strange standing in the cages and feeding the vervets, while they are jumping around. But now I’m used to it and I really enjoy doing it. The second day I have seen my first Colobus. In the garden of the Trust lives a group of approximately 8 Colobus. These animals are so beautiful! Egbert Jager
In 2005 i graduated with BSc honours in Zoology at Glasgow University in Scotland. During my student years I took part in one of the university expeditions to Ecuador and I helped organize another to Bolivia. While there I studied an array of animals from tropical birds in the Andes and the Amazon to leaf cutter ants, bats and, most inspiring of all, primates. In 2007 I started my MSc in Primate Conservation at Oxford Brookes and the course has been able to award me with essential skills needed for a future career in conservation, such as; Primate Diversity and Biogeography (eg threats to primates, taxonomy, systematics, speciation, ecology, behaviour, biodiversity, habitat protection), Human Wildlife Conflict Issues (eg hunting, pest control, eco-tourism, economic pressures on forests, design and management of reserves and parks), Environmental Education (eg philosophy - the relationship of awareness to action, planning and practice) Helen Simmons
Having been in a cage from the 3rd of April 2008, the female juvenile Sykes monkey has finally joined family and friends in their daily struggle. Today is the 13th may 2008 and it is exactly 0ne month and ten days since our dear patient was admitted. Our vet had no hope on his survival, his diagnosis was not promising. In most cases, animals with posterior paralysis due to spinal injuries do not do very well, so the vet suggested we put the patient down to relieve him of the pain. We could not buy this idea of putting him to a sleep, though in pain he showed a sign of hope in life. From the face of the monkey, she obviously looked traumatized. So a good diet, proper medication and dedication did the magic; she went home happier than ever and with only a faint limp. This is thanks to our supporters who made sure that there were drugs and food to this poor little fellow. It is now very true that young fellows can easily come back to a normal life even after multiple fractures of the body. John Jared Abuor
This time of year is low season in Kenya and life is very tough. The effects of this, along with a high rate of inflation and a high level of unemployment caused by Post Poll Chaos, have led to a staggering increase in the amount of hunting. In the last fortnight we have had sightings of several hunting parties reported to us in Diani and in the neighbouring Tiwi Beach. Although hunting has traditionally been practiced here since the dawn of humanity, the small, fragmented forest patches that are left on the coast cannot sustain such pressure. We must also mention that the hunting of wildlife is illegal in Kenya. Sadly this global trend (the collapse of wild animal populations in areas of high human disturbance) has occurred throughout history.
The main targets here are small antelopes, most commonly the Suni Antelope. However, in some of the less disturbed forests, Bush Pigs, other antelope & large ground birds are targeted. Suni’s are one of the smallest of the antelope species, weighing only 4-5 kg, but are sadly targeted for their meat, which is locally considered a delicacy. They are hunted by using packs of dogs, or more commonly, snares. Snares are fashioned using a length of wire or cord. One end is secured (usually to a fence or small tree) at the other a noose is tied. They are then placed on outskirts a patch of forest, often along the small trails used by animals. Then, when the Suni leave the shelter of the forest to feed, in the mornings and evenings, they are at risk of catching their leg in a noose. If this happens the suffering the animal goes through is immense, the snare only immobilises the animal. They then suffer until either they die of starvation or the wounds inflicted by the sharp wire, or are found by the hunter or another predator. Other animals (in particular Baboons, Vervet Monkeys & domestic animals such as cats & dogs) are often accidentally caught in snares, this leads to infection and usually the loss of a limb or death.
The Colobus Trust has been carrying out an active desnaring program for the last decade, focusing on areas of the forest in which hunters are reported. In an average year we collect a thousand snares. Unfortunately for the last 4 months we operated on a reduced schedule due to a lack of manpower (a large team is required to work efficiently) and funding. Last week we were able to start work again, and we did so with a passion. In the ten days we collected over a hundred snares! Unfortunately yesterday we found one Suni too late. The poor animal had a snare cutting her leg to the bone. In the struggle to try and get free she broke the leg and eventually strangled herself on the wire. It was apparent from the post mortem that she had been trapped for some time before she died.
We have been working in collaboration with the South Coast Residents Association on this matter and they have been very supportive and great at raising awareness and funds. We have also been able to increase our efficiency this second week through the addition of three casual labourers. The money to pay these enthusiastic chaps, who are all boat captains by trade but make excellent desnarers, was kindly donated to us by Luciana Parazzi, one of our trustees and the SCRA Chairperson (so a big thank you to her). More good news with the donation of 50,000 KSh from Diani resident John Buckle (thank you John!). This money is to be used solely for the employment of desnaring casual labourers. This is fantastic as it allows us to attain the numbers necessary for a proper transect sweep! This afternoon we have sent out a team to Kaya Ukunda, this is a local scared forest and is shockingly still being targeted!
Desnaring is now moving up on our weekly schedule and will be added to the other daily conservation activities we undertake. Next week, thanks to the SCRA, we will have a large team of casuals and CT staff sweeping areas where we know, or suspect, that snares are being set. On Monday we are also going to be working with Kenya Wildlife Services, who are sending a team down from the Shimba Hills NR to join us. This is very promising for us and we are sure that their presence will help discourage people from setting snares. We also hope to make a few arrests to set an example. If you would like to help, please donate using the “Sponser a Desnarer” window or just write “this donation is to sponser a desnarer” in the comments box. Remember, not only will you be helping our work to protect wildlife, but you will also be giving a very grateful unemployed Kenyan a job! Regards, Gwili
On the 25th of April, a consultative stakeholders meeting was convened as stipulated by National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), at the Baobab Resort to discuss the Environmental Impact Assessment report. In attendance were representatives from Baobab Beach Resort’s management, Pollmans, The South Coast Residents Association, The Colobus Trust & the District Environmental Officer designated by NEMA and Mr Suresh Patel, the lead expert undertaking the EIA for Baobab Resort. Mr. Suresh led the discussions and the meeting was open and candid in discussing all the concerns on environment impacts envisaged that the development could have on the forest. We firstly discussed as to why this process was 5 months overdue. Our main concern was the impact the extra guests and additional staff would have on the environment and other pertinent environmental concerns, namely the water recycling system, electricity, sewage and garbage disposal systems. We have assurance that Baobab Beach Resort’s has adequate facilities and this was confirmed by the District Environment Officer and as with any other tourism establishment, would be assessed by NEMA periodically. We were also told that these systems were to be evaluated (using scientific analysis where possible) and this would be published in the final report. Encouraging is the involvement of Abdulaziz Abdalla, Pollmans Special Project Executive who is also representing Baobab Resort. Over the years he has worked in conservation undertakings involved with the Kenya Wildlife Service. He presented a balanced reporting on the matter and has pledged to work with the Colobus Trust in a mutual cooperation in addressing issues pertaining to tourism development and its effects on the Diani’s Forest Ecosystem. We report to our supporters and readers that we are glad that this matter has taken an amicable turn and look forward to seeing the final report and hope that Baobab Resort can be an example for others. We are still being notified of numerous developments underway in Diani, where large areas of natural beauty, and importance, have been cleared. Sadly this is a nationwide problem and soon many unique habitats, and their inhabitants, will be lost due uncontrolled development. Therefore we desperately need NEMA to clarify the laws governing development and see these upheld. If this is not the case and development goes on unabated then we are faced with a bleak future for Diani. The forest cannot take this level of disturbance and fragmentation, and at current rates it will not be able to support a viable Colobus population (and many other species) within the next decade. Please help us fight for what is right, without your help all our work will be in vain. We are currently forming a partnership with other like-minded organisations and people to promote truly eco-friendly tourism in Kenya. But this work will be undone, unless the government and developers commit themselves, in action, to protect Kenya’s remaining beauty, before it is too late. Watch this space! Gwili Gibbon
As always, things at the Colobus Trust are very busy this week. We have increased the amount of desnaring teams we send out in response to a large amount of hunting parties reported to us by local residents. As well as this we have been continuing to try and find a way forward in our fight to have the EMCA Laws (put in place to control development) upheld and to see them followed by developers. Yesterday we learnt of 3 plots in the forest to the south of Diani that have been cleared for development. This is ridiculous because this is an area where the Land Rights are still in question! We really have our work cut out for us!
Still, spirits are high at our base. We are currently being visited, daily, by Luciana’s Troop (one of our Flamboyant Trees is in flower) and everyone is happy to see the youngest member of the troop. Renamed Tumaini, the Swahili for ‘hope”, after we saw what a strong, inquisitive, young monkey he/she was. Tumaini has already grown considerably and will continue to do on a diet of nutritious milk. During the next 3 months Tumaini will stay near her mother or nanny (Colobus share care of their infants within the troop) and rarely venture more than a couple of feet away. After these 3 months Tumaini will start to develop the coat of mature Colobus, going through a bizarre looking “grey” stage. Tumaini has already had a warm welcome from the family and is learning fast. Though she is a bit neurotic when it comes to his/her brother who is very interested in playing mum and constantly tugs at her tail! Gwili
The plight of Guereza colobus monkeys in central Province of Kenya was exposed into the limelight by a local farmer back in 1998. He reported that several human induced mortality agents and sub lethal threats were decimating the local population of these primates.
The colobus Trust managed to capture and translocate 14 colobus monkeys from malewa valley in Kipipiri to Soysambu in the rift valley Province . The success rate of the project was 82%.
The Colobus Trust would like to send two field assistants back to both capture and release sites to find out:- (a) If there are other colobus monkeys at the capture site, and if they monkeys are still a problem to the communities. Budget Transport 9,000.00 Subtotal 50,200.00 Please join the many people dedicated to conservation, by sending your contribution to us via the “donate” button. Thank you very much. Hamisi Pakiah. |
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The Colobus Trust was established in Diani Beach, Kenya, in 1997 to save the endangered Angolan colobus monkey which was a frequent victim of roadkills. The Trust's trademark is Colobridges - bridges over the roads for save overpass. Gwili, a Welsh volunteer at the Trust reports on the day to day activities in an busy local primate conservation charity 
