Colobus Trust

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Jan 23 2008 | By: admin

During the last three days we have treated 5 monkeys, and observed a sixth, that have had wounds inflicted upon them by other members of their own species. Unfortunately, only two of these remain alive. Whilst back at the Trust we have struggled to understand why in just over 48 hours this has occurred?

The only explanation we have is that the stress put upon these monkeys by the hottest time of the year, which has lead water and food shortages within the forest, has gotten too much for them. This has led confrontations to exacerbate rapidly. We hope that this is not a long-term issue, as we need to focus on problems caused by man, not by monkey.

Therefore we would like to issue a passionate plea to all monkeys. Please stop fighting among yourselves, you are not the enemy. Hmm, kind of echoes our thoughts on another disagreement within another species of primate.

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Category: Marketing | Date: Jan 18 2008 | By: admin

It has been three weeks since our fundraiser was held and we are now ready to announce the final figures.

The two day kitesurfing event was one of the highlights of the festive period and, despite falling in the middle of the election troubles, saw a large number of visitors. With over 300 people turning up for the Hawiian Night.

Everyone at Forty Thieves Beach Bar welcomed us with a great enthusiasm and helped in the redecoration of their bar. With Colobridges hanging from the celing and posters on every available post, it looked great. We set up shop selling our t-shirts, postcards and ethical tradecrafts and were joined by Lalesso an ethical clothing company who make European style clothing out of traditional Kenyan Kangas. This enterprise set up by a Diani resident proved insanely popular and we became clothing merchants for two days!

The kitesurfing was amazing, with international level competitors wowing the crowds, and us, with their speed and gravity defying jumps. All we could do is sit back and watch.

The two days of competing were followed by a Hawiaan Party, the proceeds of which went to The Colobus Trust. This party was huge with many locals and vistors from both up country and abroad enjoying themselves in typical coast fashion.

By the end we were very tired and very happy. The total raised is nearly KSh 200,000 (USD 3000) which is a phenomenal amount. Obviously, this would have never been possible without the help of numerous people. Money raised came from our many areas so there are so many people to thank that we are afraid we can only mention a few. Firstly, to Boris and his team at H20 Xtreme who put the whole event together. Secondly, to everyone at Forty Thieves & Ali Barbours who were of constant help before, throughout and after the event. Thirdly, to the girls at Lalesso, who donated all the profits raised by their sales at the event. And, lastly, we would like to say a big thank you to Lindsey Kennaway. Without her help we would never have achieved what we did. There are also so many others whose names we have not mentioned. Especially those businesses who donated prizes to our raffle. We are sorry we cannot mention you all personally.

Some of the money raised has been spent on maintaining our property here. Unfortunstely we are unable to buy many of the items on our wishlist as the money needs to be saved to secure the trusts future in these difficult time. This is due to the numerous cancellations we have had from our volunteer program, which is where most of our money comes from. So, please if you can support us during this tough period, please, please do.

Thank you all,

Gwili

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Category: Habitat Restoration/Conservation | Date: Jan 15 2008 | By: admin

Yesterday we sent a team up into the hills above Diani to help an important project, The Chitanze Medicinal Woodland Community Group. Who’d called for our help.

(One of the waterfalls in Kaya Chitanze)

Kaya Chitanze, is a breathtakingly beautiful forest situated on an escarpment overlooking Malaganji Elephant Sanctuary. It is home not only to Colobus, Elephants, Leopards & Baboons but also to some of Kenya’s most beautiful birds. We were even lucky enough to see a pair of African Crowned Eagles and their fledgeling chick in their nest. This was a privilage as there are only a handful of breeding pairs in the whole of the coast.

(The Female African Crowned Eagle) (The team taking a well deserved rest)

One of the main programs the CMWCG undertake is to grow indigenous tree seedlings, which are then given out, for free, to local schools, businesses and residents to grow. As we are in the midst of a very hot dry few months. It has been very hard for them to water these plants and when their river dried up we were called in to help. We turned up with our team of seven volunteers and staff and started work straight away. The work was long and hot but eventually we had built an area where water could collect and once the pump was working we had time to sit back and enjoy the beauty all around us whilst the thirsty plants drunk themselves silly!

All in all a happy day for everyone!

Gwili

One response so far

Category: Marketing | Date: Jan 10 2008 | By: admin

Today we’ve continued on with our regular activities here at the Trust: In the morning we conducted a Colobus Check with the new volunteers, and this afternoon we have once again sent a group to do de-snaring in the forest.

We have also sent out renewal notifications to everyone who has sponsored a Colobridge or adopted a Colobus monkey from our troop in the past in the hopes that we will get more funding for projects. There is a second troop in the area which we are now trying to name and photograph, so soon we will have new monkeys that you can adopt. For more information please see our Adopt a Colobus page.

Many thanks to all of you who have joined the Colobus Trust cause on Facebook using the causes application. The cause has now over 40 members and it is great to see that more and more people will know about Diani’s Colobus Monkeys and what the Colobus Trust does. And please join if you haven’t done so yet.

Isabelle
Colobologist

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Category: Marketing, Primate Rescue/Rehabilitation | Date: Jan 09 2008 | By: admin

It’s the start of a New Year and we are planning on starting afresh here at the Trust. New projects are under way, including the building of more water troughs in the forest for the animals during the dry season, and building a taxi shed by the Colobus Trust cottage. We are now also discussing and making solid plans for the release of the ex-pet vervets being rehabilitated (see Sal’s ex-pet vervet post).

Our annual fundraiser at the kite surfing competition at Forty Thieves Beach Bar was a great success, as we have raised around 80,000 KSh from the sales of our raffle tickets as well as receiving part of the proceeds from the entrance fee for Hawaiian Night at Forty Thieves and half the proceeds from the sale of Lalesso Clothing items which were being sold throughout the event.

With regards to the political situation, we have only been indirectly affected by it here in Diani. Last week was when the situation was a bit more tense, especially in Ukunda and Mombasa. Some governments have issued alerts for their citizens to leave Kenya, and so last week we lost 4 volunteers who decided to go home early. Here in Diani we had only been affected by food and fuel shortages, as well as the lack of cash in ATMs. But thanks to our wonderful cook Jared we were able to make do with the little that we had. Right now things seem to be mostly back to normal and we’ve even had two new volunteers arrive this week.

All of this still cannot take away attention from the plight of the colobus — road traffic accidents and electrocutions have continued and will continue to happen regardless of any other problems we may be facing, so this week we have resumed our work and once again Diani’s primates are our primary concern.

Isabelle
Colobologist

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Category: Uncategorized | Date: Jan 03 2008 | By: admin

The festive season has been an interesting one here at the trust and it has certainly not been as relaxing as the Christmases I’m used to.

On Christmas Eve we had to respond to a call about a Colobus infant that had been abandoned by its mother. By the time we got there the infant, previously resting on the ground, had been driven up a tree by dogs. We followed its movements for a while and although it moved slowly there were no visible signs of illness or harm. Soon it became more active and returned to its mother. On seeing this we decided its best chance of survival would be with the mother and left it to enjoy Christmas with the family!

Christmas Day passed smoothly. We treated our Ex-Pet Vervet Monkeys to homemade vegetable ice-lollies for lunch, whilst the rest of us relaxed.

On the 27th as the rest of the country flocked to the voting stations we prepared for our fundraiser. All was well until the evening when the fire broke out, though that is a different story (or blog).

The fundraiser went exceptionally well, with attendance levels a lot higher than we expected given the circumstances. The wind was strong so the kite surfers were happy and the weather, as usual, was perfect. We sold over 300 raffle tickets and raised Ksh 54,000 from that alone. The rest of the money raised is yet to be calculated, so expect an update when we have the final total.

Since then things have gotten complicated politically. But, don’t worry about us, we are fine and safe. The lack of Internet is our main adversary, but else wise all is good, for us at least.

Wishing you a belated Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year from all at the Trust!

Gwili

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