CERCOPAN

Category: Cercopan, Monkeys, Nigeria, Uncategorized | Date: Dec 14 2007 | By: admin

I had barely walked through the door yesterday, when my manager’s phone started to ring. “I know where there is a monkey” a woman’s voice informed me “is that CERCOPAN?” We often receive calls of this nature. People seldom give their name and it is rare the person on the line can tell us what type of primate they have seen, but each call fills me with hope. Our message is obviously getting through.

The woman gave a good description of where the primate was being held and explained “It’s been there a long time, chained outside in all weathers”. I thanked her and said we would send someone round immediately. Jerry the Senior education officer generally attends such confiscations, accompanied by our vet Uche. On this occasion however, a third member of the team would be required. The monkey was in a notorious part of Calabar, which even the police are nervous to visit.

Abonema and the chain that held him for over two years.

Jerry, Uche and Richard, (the Rhoko Camp Manager), arrived at the scene to find a male mangabey chained to a rusty fridge in full sun, with neither shelter nor water. Although the dusty piece of waste ground was initially deserted, they quickly found themselves surrounded by a gang of about 20 large men. When Jerry asked about the owner of the monkey, a man stepped forward and blew marijuana in his face, obviously hoping to provoke a reaction.

In the thirty minutes that followed, the gang smoked and sold drugs openly and Jerry heard them debating whether or not they should beat their visitors. He also noticed them offer a cigarette to the mangabey. Eventually Jerry was handed a phone and the voice on the other end asked if he was there representing CERCOPAN. The caller explained that CERCOPAN staff had been there once before, and that whilst he had managed to hide the animal on that occasion, he knew one day we would return.

To everyone’s relief, the man soon appeared, tensions eased and Jerry was able to explain why monkeys do not make good pets. Whilst it is illegal to keep primates as pets in Nigeria, we prefer to educate people about the law and the natural needs of monkeys, rather than arriving on the scene with law enforcement officers. In this case, despite initial appearances, the owners of the monkey turned out to be understanding and rather amicable. With repeat offenders however, a more heavy handed approach is necessary and in such cases we are supported by the appropriate enforcement authorities.

A bystander providing water for Abonema.

As the animal was being placed into a travel case, the gang requested cash so that they could stage a party to say goodbye. Owners often ask for money, but once they realise that we will NEVER pay, they are usually happy to donate their monkey and some even visit CERCOPAN to check on their former pet’s progress. Jerry refused their request and explained that by taking responsibility for the animal we would actually incur considerable costs in terms of vaccinations, food and shelter. Uche kindly offered to treat the man’s dog for free however and in response the man told him that he had named the monkey “Abonema”.

Abonema arrived at CERCOPAN HQ to a very warm welcome and of course a banana. He was placed into quarantine, where he will be monitored for three months before starting a new life with monkeys of his own kind. Although we were all very excited about the arrival of a new mangabey, the first in 2 years, I could not help but feel downhearted. His very presence signals that yet another of these magnificent endangered animals has been taken from the dwindling wild population, probably after his mother was shot for meat. Whatever the future holds for Abonema, I know that his life changed for the better today. Who knows, one day he may even join our release programme and be given another chance at living free.

Abonema in his new home.