Development in previously undeveloped countries causes habitat and species loss and a domino effect of environmental problems.
Kenya is one such country wrestling with balancing the prosperity brought on by increased tourism to the beaches of Dinai and severe habitat loss which threaten one of Kenya’s biggest draws – it’s diverse animal population.
One animal threatened by human encroachment is the Angolan Colobus monkey. The Colobus is considered a “flagship” species because of it’s dependence on the forest.
Unfortunately, in the last 25 year Dinai has lost 75% of it native forests to development and in just 2 years (from 2004 to 2006) the identified Colobus monkeys in the area dropped from 400 individuals to just 200.
Rushing in to try and stop the annihilation of the Colobus and other primate species in Dinai is The Colobus Trust, a relatively new non-profit (founded 1997), which works on numerous projects including, “animal welfare, biological/ecological research, community development and education, forest protection and enrichment and eco-tourism awareness programs.”
I’m lucky enough to have a friend on the ground in Kenya, Sara Mayer, who works for Global Vision International, and volunteers with the Colobus Trust. I sent her some questions to answer so those of us not in Africa can get a better feel for the situation in the country and how the program works.
Raegan: What’s one of the Colobus Trusts main projects?
Sara: They build “colobridges” over the roads to give the monkeys safe passage over traffic. That may sound silly, but because there has been so much tourist development in Diani (the big beach town south coast) the monkeys have lost a lot of their habitat.
Many of these animals get killed either trying to cross the roads on power lines and getting electrocuted or getting hit by cars as they cross the road. Colobus monkeys are very arboreal, their only food is in the treetops, so if they’re on the ground they’re out of their element. That’s why it’s important to string the bridges through the trees.
R: What's your involvement with the Colobus Trust and have you gotten to hold any monkeys?
S: My friend, Andrew, has been working as the Assistant Manager of the Colobus Trust for several months now. I’ve visited him and helped out on a weekend. He’s been training volunteers to care for the monkeys in the rehabilitation center.
Most notably, Erica Sykes (the baby monkey we sometimes call Stupid for reasons that are obvious if you watch her explore her surroundings) has been rescued by the Trust and I’ve spent a lot of time helping care for her. Her mother was hit by a car when she was two weeks old and the Trust staff rescued her, rehydrated her and are trying to help release her into the wild when she is big enough.
It’s tricky as she is still a baby and needs to be held almost constantly and fed every few hours. She screams when she’s put down. Loudly. At the same time, she needs to learn to be a monkey – how to forage, climb and interact with other Sykes monkeys. Recently, the Trust rescued another slightly older Sykes. They are hoping the two of them will bond and form a troupe to protect each other.
The Trust has healed/fed/saved/etc. Colobus, Sykes and Vervet monkeys for many different reasons. The loss of habitat is one of the biggest threats to all of these animals, and unfortunately for the wee Vervets so is illegal domestication. Many people seem to be under the illusion that monkeys make good pets.
In fact, before I spent a weekend getting pissed on, scratched and bitten by baby Erica (Stupid), I, too, thought a monkey would be the greatest pet ever. But no. Biting and scratching are native monkey traits – it’s no big deal when they do it to each other, but it’s not so hot when they do it to you. There are obviously other reasons besides this – but you get the idea.
R: For those of us not in Kenya can you tell us what the environmental situation is like? i.e. What's the most pressing environmental issue you can see? etc.
S: I guess I kind of addressed this one above. I would say habitat loss is the biggest factor. It removes homes, food and territory for these animals. It crams them into smaller and smaller areas.
It forces them into what we call Human Wildlife Conflict – where human populations and development collide with animal populations. Perfect example: cars and monkeys = road-kill. The key is to develop areas sustainably – which is why I think the Colobus Trust and GVI objectives are so important.
Tourism is a huge factor in the economy here, as it is in many countries, and it should be allowed and encouraged to thrive. But it has to be done with awareness for the natural environment and the very wildlife that draw people to visit there initially.
R: What is the Colobus and human interaction generally like?
S: This is a great question because it can vary significantly depending on where you are. If the troop in question is habituated to a human presence then they might happily munch on leaves and give you an occasional glance over, but not pay you much mind beyond that.
They’ll keep their distance – they aren’t cheeky like vervets and sykes, they won’t snatch food from you. On the flipside, if you encounter a troop living in a wilder setting, like the monkeys of Shimoni forest that GVI studies, then they are very likely to scurry away at the sound of you.
If you sit still for long enough they will relax while still hanging out in the uppermost branches of the tree, but they’ll eat and sleep and play and you can study their behavior for hours. Often you will find the juveniles of the group just as interested in watching you as you are in them!
R: The Colobus Trust wants the monkeys to have a healthy fear of humans but they are also trying to rehabilitate many. How do they go about meeting both goals?
S: This is a tricky one because as I said Erica sees Andrew and the other volunteers as her troop right now. With the new monkey at the Trust they are hoping to put the two Sykes in cages side by side so they get familiar with each other. Then they will put them in a cage together. So they are living as a family, eating together etc.
As the monkeys get bigger and can fend for themselves they will leave the cage doors open – this way they can forage for food but return to their familiarity. Eventually, no feeding by humans and no cage. The hope then is that the monkeys can go out into the wild and be monkeys.
R: Any additional thoughts?
S: It’s important to note that the Colobus Trust focuses on Colobus Monkeys, but will care for all types of primates in the area. You will even see baboons strolling around the grounds! (Though not by invitation!) Erica is a Sykes monkey – this species is widespread and in no danger of becoming endangered any time soon.
Her case is unique as she was rescued due to her specific situation. Most of the time the Trust is trying to heal/care for injured Colobus monkeys in the area, promote education and awareness and improve the situation all around.
This article was contributed to Celsias by Raegan Payne
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