The situation at our Calabar HQ has now reached crisis point. If we are to continue rescuing monkeys orphaned by the bush meat trade, it is vital that we begin constructing new enclosures immediately.

A Baby putty just after being rescued

Many of the babies whose stories you have followed over recent months; Abonema, JB, Murphy, are all now ready to leave quarantine and to be placed into family groups….sadly with the recent influx of animals, we simply have no suitable enclosures available at the moment with sufficient space to house them. In addition, it is imperative that we are able to respond to information about orphans being held at homes in Calabar and must be able to continue to confiscate orphans being kept as pets in Calabar, not only to underscore the fact that it is illegal to keep them, but also to save each individual from what would otherwise be a very sad existence.

After much negotiation, we have managed to find some land that we can rent to extend our operations. We hope to build four new enclosures but the only way that we can do this is with your help. Please help us to help them. Anything that you can give no matter how small could really make the difference for those animals that are still waiting to be rescued.

 The Life of a family pet

The costs of this project are as follows:

4 enclosures (labour and materials - chainlink fencing, 4×4 wood, planks, plywood, ropes, concrete, block work, poles, watering bowls, standoff fencing to keep visitors back) approximately $2000 each - $8000

Rent of land for two years - $400. Perimeter chain link Fencing, support posts and concrete - $400

TOTAL - $8800

Baby mangabey with surrogate ‘teddy’ mother at Calabar HQ

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Hello! I am a student from Roehampton University London and am at CERCOPAN until June working on my Masters in Primatology. Everyone here has been exceptionally helpful and accommodating, this is my first time in Africa and I can’t imagine it without the support of a team like CERCOPAN. Since arriving exactly one month ago I have had the pleasure of spending time at both the Calabar site and Rhoko site. Both are distinctly different from each other and offer their own personal blend of Nigerian flavor.

Lisa climbing a tree at Rhoko

Calabar is a true metropolis with restaurants, public transport and internet cafes. The people are a diverse mix-from those raised in Calabar or nearby villages to those from states other than Cross River State. No matter where they are from the people are always friendly and have been teaching me different words and phrases in Ibo, Efik, and Akwa Ibom – 3 of the over 200 languages spoken in the Cross River State alone.

Often while I am observing the mangabeys at the Calabar site I am approached by local people who have come to visit CERCOPAN. A few days ago a 13-year-old boy was asking me all about the monkeys – their names, what they were doing, what I was doing. After explaining all of it to him he told me he would like to go to the UK as well – like me. “That’s great I told him”, you’ll have to work very hard though – UK is very expensive; He then basically told me this wouldn’t be a problem as he would bring his sheep with him and that would (clearly) cover any expenses he might encounter. Conversations like these are just one of the many reasons I am thoroughly enjoying my time here in Nigeria.

Rhoko is a truly different experience as CERCOPAN’s “Bush Site” it really is like taking a trip to the country after the hustle and bustle of Calabar. Everything slows down and instead of falling asleep to the sound of motorbikes passing I drift off to the majestic sounds of the forest with crickets, hirrax and frog noises. The people here are from CERCOPAN host community of Iko Esai and could not be more welcoming everyone knows my name and greets me enthusiastically despite the fact I have only been here a week. Each time I visit the keepers I am practically forced to feed plantains in an overwhelming gesture of hospitality that I have yet to witness in any other country. My cultural experiences in Nigeria have far exceeded any expectations I had before arriving yet almost pale when compared to the monkeys I have met here at CERCOPAN - they continue to amaze me.

Jacel, balancing on branch in the Mangabey enclosure

My Masters Project comprises of stress levels among the mangabeys at Calabar (in traditional cage enclosures) and those at Rhoko (in their large natural enclosure). Having the 2 sites is a unique opportunity and makes CERCOPAN an ideal place to conduct research. My first impression of the mangabeys here is how they are surprisingly resilient. To be separated from their mothers so young is a textbook indicator of low survival rate, slower growth rate and depression. However, thanks to CERCOPAN, these mangabeys not only have survived but have thriving in normal, healthy social groups! Talk about beating the odds.

While in Calabar and Rhoko may diverge in cultural feel, the uplifting message brought to both by CERCOPAN is constant. When I first moved from the US, to London to begin my Masters Program I knew I wanted to do a project at a primate sanctuary but hadn’t a clue which one. I now consider myself very fortunate to have chosen CERCOPAN because – although have only been here a month – it is clear that CERCOPAN’s involvement in the community and dedication to rainforest conservation, primate conservation are what make it such a success.

Village Life

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