CERCOPAN

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Jan 30 2009 | By: cercopan

CERCOPAN wishes to send a big thank you to Christine C and Wanda H for their donations. Money to feed monkeys is always the hardest to raise, as companies and foundations generally prefer to support stand alone projects. Yet the monkeys at CERCOPAN are the greatest ambassadors for conservation as they attract 30,000 visitors a year to our education centre to receive environmental/conservation education. In Calabar alone we must find around $75 per day just to feed the monkeys, so donations such as yours are so desperatly needed. 

Thanks again

Claire  

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Category: Uncategorized | Date: Jan 30 2009 | By: cercopan

Early last week we woke up to fantastic news…..Kemi, the adult female in our pre-release group had given birth! The group are currently living in a newly constructed enclosure awaiting formal consent to release them at our forest site. Clearly this new birth means that the release will need to be delayed a little, but we are not disheartened. The new baby is living proof that the group has successfully bonded and that the adult male and female will be able to successfully reproduce in the wild! We will keep you posted over the coming weeks on the baby’s

progress…

Proud parents Ominaira and Kemi with the new baby

Mother and baby

Baby already making friends

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Category: Uncategorized | Date: Jan 28 2009 | By: cercopan

Thanks to Ludovic L for the kind donation, our first this year. With the current wolrd financial crisis it is becoming harder and harder to raise the funds we need to operate each month so your donations could not be more important.

Best Wishes

Claire

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Category: Uncategorized | Date: Jan 15 2009 | By: cercopan

From January 2009, CERCOPAN will be offering short-term volunteer working holidays for those who wish to experience what it is really like to work on a conservation project in Africa. Opportunities are available to volunteer at Rhoko camp for either 2 or 4 weeks and the programme will include all training, so no prior experience is necessary. As part of the experience, among other tasks, you may be involved in collecting primate behavioral data, conducting wildlife surveys, radio tracking released monkeys, construction tasks around camp, hands on primate care and habituating wild monkeys. Please see the brochure below for full details….

volunteer-brochure-2009.pdf

Spaces are limited, so we strongly advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

The current available dates are provisional and may be extended to include additional months if demand is sufficient.

This programmew will not affect our original qualified short-term volunteer programme available for those with considerable prior experience/ appropriate qualifications. Please see our website www.cercopan.org for further details.

Both programmes accept international applicants from all countries.

Volunteer Kristine Krynitzki enjoying nature at Rhoko camp

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Category: Uncategorized | Date: Dec 01 2008 | By: cercopan

LISA WITH ORPHANED BABY PUTTY  ’EMA’

Hello!  My name is Lisa Reamer, I did my Master’s thesis project here at CERCOPAN from March-May 2008 and am now back working with CERCOPAN as a volunteer – I just couldn’t stay away!  It’s such a great project and I enjoy being here a lot, so I thought I would share with you some of what I am working on while back in Nigeria.  My main project here at CERCOPAN is the habituation of a group of wild putty-nosed guenons who live in the core area at Rhoko, CERCOPAN’s forest site. 

The term ‘habituation’ refers to acclimating wild animals to human presence.  Basically, when wild animals see humans they generally flee.  When researchers want to observe wild animals it is important that the animals engage in natural behaviours and don’t react to people being present.  To achieve this normal, relaxed behaviour in the presence of an observer the animals must have increased exposure to humans until they realize that they are not a threat and begin to ignore them.  When this occurs and the animals go about their daily lives without acknowledging the humans, the animals are said to be habituated.  So, here at CERCOPAN, this is my job.  I am working with Ayitu, Etan and Usor, three local Research Assistants from the CERCOPAN staff; and the four of us, in groups of two, go out every day to search for the group of putty-nosed guenons who live in the core area.  The core area is an ideal location for a habituation of wild monkeys.  When habituating primates, or any animals, researchers must consider the animals’ safety first.  If you teach an animal that humans are not a threat it leaves them vulnerable to hunters.  Thankfully, CERCOPAN’s core area is a hunter-free zone and we have day and night patrol in the area to ensure hunters do not enter.  This ascertains the safety of the putty-nosed guenons who are the subjects of this habituation project.

YOUNG PUTTY IN THE TREETOPS

The hardest part of habituation is finding the monkeys as putty-nosed guenons spend much of their time high in the forest canopy, making seeing them very difficult.  Equally difficult are all the birds and other animals that live in the core area who rustle tree branches and cause me to mistake them for monkeys until I can get a visual confirmation.  It is intensely disappointing to think you have found the monkeys and then realize the movement was actually a just squirrel!  However, the feeling of utter excitement when we do actually make contact with the wild putty-nosed guenon group is indescribable.  It is absolutely exhilarating to be in the presence of these amazing animals. I cherish every minute we spend with the group – which generally isn’t many as they flee upon seeing us.  As we continue to make contact with the group our time spent with them before they flee should get longer and longer.  The research assistants, who have worked in the forest much more than I have, see the monkeys more frequently than me. This is good because the more we see the monkeys the better the habituation is going, however, I can’t help being a little jealous when the research assistants see the puttys without me.  The height of this jealousy came after I returned from the forest for lunch one day to find out that Ayitu, one of the research assistants, had been to the staff toilet and seen the monkeys!  I spend the whole morning searching for them and all Ayitu has to do is go to the toilet and there they are – so unfair (but hilarious)!!! 

MAP OF THE FOREST

The process of habituation has been known to take anywhere from 3-8 months with other guenon species and we are only a month into the habituation here so we have a while to go yet but I feel we are on track.  So far we have seen the group over a dozen times and have begun to get an idea of their home range (the area in which they live).  As Ayitu found out, they actually live VERY close to our camp!  We also know that there are 9 putty-nosed guenons in the group, 2 of which have babies (so cute!).  There are 4 red-eared guenons that can generally be found with the group as well; although we are finding the red-eared guenons are much more fearful of humans than the putty-nosed guenons.  When different species mix in one group like this it is called polyspecific association and is very common in guenon species.  In fact, it is the reason we have decided to habituate this group of putty-nosed guenons, so that our next release group of mona monkeys may join the putty-nosed guenon group if they want.  Our monkey release groups here at CERCOPAN are constantly monitored for health as well as for behavioural changes and since this means observers are constantly with them, it makes it difficult for them to join wild groups as they flee at the sight of humans.  It’s kind of like our release group are the new kids in the neighborhood but can’t make friends because of their over-protective parents (us) always being around.  So by habituating this group of wild putty-nosed guenons we are actually helping our now-captive mona monkeys who will soon be released into the wild!  It’s a big project but it’s important and I’m loving it!  Thanks for reading and wish us luck!!!

PUTTY-NOSE GUENON

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Category: Uncategorized | Date: Nov 23 2008 | By: cercopan

By Uche Anyaorah, CERCOPAN’s Vetrinarian

The quarantine is one of the most important sections of the rehabilitation facility. It is the section where newcomers to any health facility, especially if they are suspected to have been exposed to a communicable disease, are kept for a period of time depending on the time required to ascertain their health status, and also depending on government regulation. While these individuals are in the quarantine tests are carried out to be absolutely sure that they are free of communicable diseases, which may pose a threat to others. The quarantine is instituted in places where there has been an outbreak of disease or where there has been an epidemic of unknown cause. The quarantine period can range from three months to one year or more.

The monkeys that are donated to CERCOPAN come from different homes and from different forests. A typical scenario is when a hunter shoots the mother and takes the baby from a remote forest. He then sells the baby to a man who lives in the city. The man brings the baby to his son as a present. They live with the monkey for a few months or even years before hearing about CERCOPAN and eventually donates the monkey to us, realizing monkeys should not be kept as pets. So this means the monkey has gone through many stages where it might have been exposed to a disease - from the forest to the hunters home then to the home of its buyer and then to us. This makes it necessary then that a good regimented quarantine procedure should be applied to make sure the monkey does not introduce infections to the healthy animal population or even to the humans who take care of them.

KEEPERS ABAKUM AND AUSTIN WORKING HARD ON THE FIRST ENCLOSURE

In order to achieve this a good quarantine facility is invaluable. Our quarantine building has not been in a very good state for a while now due to lack of funding. We have always tried to make it better but there is so little we can do when only limited funds are available. For a long time now there has been an urgent need to make our quarantine safer for all concerned. The rooves leak and the babies in there have to climb to a corner to avoid being wet in heavy rains. I have seen Joy and Melody –the two hug-hug babies in the quarantine do this often.

KEEPER MATTHEW ENSURING THE PRECISION OF THE PROJECT

Luckily all that has changed now as we are in the process of rebuilding the whole quarantine. This was made possible by the generous donation made by the DISNEY FOUNDATION. Due to their benevolence we will be able to continue our work in a safer environment for the monkeys and also the humans. All our staff members are excited about the new quarantine. Also exciting is the design and construction being handled in-house. The primate caregivers and I have come up with a design and we are in the process of completing the first big enclosure to hold a family of four mona monkeys. After this, we will bring the old structures down and build a brand new one, which will be partitioned into five additional sections. In general, better safety procedures will be instituted to make sure that only authorised persons (and animals!) enter the quarantine to ensure that that everyone is well protected.

FIRST ENCLOSURE’S FRAMEWORK JUST ABOUT COMPLETE

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Category: Uncategorized | Date: Sep 28 2008 | By: cercopan

Background                                                                                                             

CERCOPAN have two centres in southeast Nigeria. One is in the town of Calabar where we have our administration offices, primate enclosures, education/visitors centre, permanent veterinary facilities and staff accommodation. The volunteer would be based at our second centre at Rhoko in the Nigerian rainforest which is about 80 km away from Calabar and 8 km from the village of Iko Esai, with possible temporary duties in Calabar. There is a dedicated workshop with tools and power tools (used in conjunction with portable generator). There is a VHF radio and mobile phone antenna for communications with Calabar. There is a refrigerator, laptop, and solar power. CERCOPAN has been assisting the Iko Esai community to protect more than 20,000 hectares of community forest on the borders of the cross River National Park since 2000.                                                                                                                                  

Volunteer responsibilities                                                                                         

The volunteer will be responsible for undertaking and managing the construction and maintenance of the physical environment of Cercopan’s Rhoko operations and where practicable at our establishment in Calabar. This will involve the management, training and development of local staff.

Duties in 2008 will include constructing three high specification ecotourism chalets at Rhoko camp, assisting with project management of construction of community centre in Iko Esai, maintaining, repairing, replacing, constructing, upgrading existing Rhoko camp built environment and services including: Staff accommodation, ecotourism accommodation, Dining/communal area, Workshop Offices, kitchen, Nature Trail furniture and signage, viewing platforms tree platform, fencing primate enclosures, simple furniture for accommodation. In addition, the volunteer will also assist with the construction of the new CERCOPAN administrative and rehabilitation site, including, enclosures, buildings, fences etc.

 Requirements
-Appropriate technical qualification within a construction and/or building services discipline (e.g. BTEC ordinary/higher national level diploma or equivalent) or equivalent high level of work experience
-It is essential that the volunteer has sufficient work experience and skills to undertake the duties described above. We are looking for a good all rounder who possesses a wide range of skills/knowledge/experience. We accept that strengths in some areas will offset weakness in others with the overriding need to get the job done which may require the volunteer to learn on the job.
-Driving licence essential, ability to drive 4 x 4 and some knowledge of basic vehicle maintenance beneficial

Personal Qualities
-Must be able to live and work in the rainforest environment
-Hands-on person who can lead by example
-Good interpersonal skills, ability to resolve conflict in a diplomatic way
-Ability to work well with people of different cultures and skill levels
-Ability to motivate and build confidence in a team environment
-Flexibility and ability to think laterally
-Good negotiation skills

Terms   

One day off a week and 4 weeks holiday a year. Stipend and travel coverage dependent on qualifications, experience and length of stay. Bed, board provided. 1-2 year contract preferable, but would consider 6 months to 1 year.

Position to commence as soon as possible.

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Category: Uncategorized | Date: Aug 25 2008 | By: cercopan

CERCOPAN (Centre for Education, Research and Conservation of Primates and Nature: www.cercopan.org) is urgently recruiting for a volunteer veterinarian to start September/October 2008. The voluntary position involves managing the veterinary programme for a busy primate rehabilitation (over 150 primates of 6 rainforest species) and conservation project in southern Nigeria. Duties include management and training of primate care staff, training veterinary nurse, developing and implementing a programme of training for a newly employed national veterinarian. The position will also involve monitoring preventative medicine, following reintroduction and quarantine protocol guidelines and coordinating veterinary activities.

This is a challenging and rewarding position for anyone interested in making a contribution to primate conservation and working in wildlife veterinary medicine.

Requirements: Experience or second degree in wildlife veterinary medicine

Provisions: Room, board and a Sterling stipend are provided, as are flights (from Europe/UK only) for a minimum 1 year contract, preferably 2 years.

Please send covering letter, references (preferably email contact) and CV to claire.coulson@cercopan.or OR zena@cercopan.org

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Category: Cercopan, Conservation, Monkeys, Nigeria, Uncategorized | Date: Aug 17 2008 | By: cercopan

By Austin Igbebor, Primate caregiver

Austin

Sclater’s Guenons (Cercopithecus Sclateri) are Nigeria’s only endemic primate. At CERCOPAN we provide home to the only individuals of this endangered species known to occur in captivity. Sclater’s monkeys are beautifully coloured and very unique among our guenons. Most hot afternoons, they spend time relaxing and grooming themselves while other monkeys are foraging for insects.  The sclater’s monkeys are really beautiful to behold with their “punky” hairstyle finely cut out by nature, which gives them a sharp look as if they are just coming out of the barbers shop. The sclater’s monkeys have white ear tufts, milky white nose and their tails are a combination of three colours half way red, halfway white and black at the tips. Sadly, despite these qualities of beauty and uniqueness, they are being seriously hunted and their habitat destroyed and this is having a devastating impact on their wild population, slowly driving these wonderful creatures to local extinction. CERCOPAN as a forest monkey rehabilitation centre has come to the rescue of this primate species.

Austin feeding Scarlet

Currently at CERCOPAN we are rehabilitating a small group of sclater’s monkeys consisting of six individuals, they are cared for by me (Austin) and my fellow care givers. We provide them with various kinds of stimulating enrichments such as ropes tied at various angles, poles, tree branches, wooden platforms, bamboo poles, wood shavings etc….. All these enrichments enable them enhance their natural skills and instincts within the confines of their enclosure.

Now let me briefly introduce you to our dear Sclater’s monkeys. They have a well and strictly organized social structure, and a one male-multi-female behavioural structure. “Frankie” is the alpha male and sole protector of the group, an absolute leader with no contenders (of course there’s no other adult male in the group to compete for the position of the alpha male with him!). “Scarlet” is the alpha female and the oldest member of the group, a foster mother who protects and cares for all the other Sclater’s babies who arrive (including Frankie who is now the alpha male). Scarlet nurses and carries the orphans in the ventral-ventral position guaranteeing their security.

Alpha male, Frankie

“Ubie” an adult female loves eating and spends most of the time relaxing with “Uto” a juvenile female who is the most aggressive of all the Sclater’s. Uto takes so much pleasure in threatening and harassing “Naira”, a very calm and low ranking member of the group. Sadly,  Naira is mostly deprived of the most vital and valuable social activity of a monkey, grooming, and this is gradually cutting her off from the social glue that bonds individuals together.

Naira

Finally the baby of the group, a very stubborn orphan infant male whose parents were killed for the bush meat trade. He was not too long ago weaned by Scarlet his foster mother and is now beginning to practice adult activities like mounting naira, exhibiting dominate displays and expressing high aggression. In the future, thsi monkey will possibly be a major contender to Frankie. At this point I will like to introduce to you “Pegasus” the baby sclater’s, a good looking fluffy monkey who still takes milk from a bottle every morning and evening to supplement his mothers milk. How he loves drinking his milk, always looking expectant. Though Pegasus proves to be very strong he always solicits for supports from Scarlet when he’s in real trouble.

 Scarlet and Pegasus

I pray that someday our sclater’s monkeys will begin to procreate and that they can eventually be re-introduced back to their natural forest ecosystem where they will have all the benefits of their natural habitat at its best.

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Category: Cercopan, Monkeys, Nigeria, Uncategorized | Date: Aug 07 2008 | By: cercopan

by Emma Higgs

Who wouldn’t want to hand rear orphan monkeys?! After working with wildlife for over 10 years, I again reached a time in my life when I was free to try something new. From seals to monkeys and from Ireland to Nigeria, that was the size of the change I was looking for. Cercopan seemed like a wonderful organisation. The monkeys are mainly the result of the tragic, ongoing bushmeat trade but with Cercopan’s multifaceted approach to dealing with the issue as well as with the casualties it seemed to me that great strides were being made by this NGO.

Emma, Melody and Joy

‘Joy’ was one such casualty, an orphan baby Mona monkey. She arrived at Cercopan with her ‘owner’, a young girl. It was with much persuasion that she was eventually handed over to our care. As seems to be the norm, the girl was expecting Cercopan to pay for the monkey, but as it is illegal to keep monkeys as pets in Nigeria anyway, it is policy here not to pay for them. Trying to talk the person around is the first method the staff here use, if this doesn’t work then the monkey has to be officially confiscated by the Forestry Commission.

Joy

The keepers here at Cercopan get to name the orphaned baby monkeys when they come in with no name, but with little idea of her personality ‘Joy’ is an uncannily fitting name.

Weighing only 300g, yet being roughly 3 months old, Joy was very underweight for her age. She was taken inside and settled in with a surrogate (teddy) monkey, offered milk, baby formula, and eagerly grabbed the bottle and started sucking away. She needed no encouragement to start putting on weight.  

Joy arrived shortly after our other baby Mona; Melody. The contrast is stark. Poor Melody is still very insecure and clingy whereas Joy, after a feed, snooze then cuddle, was more than happy to start exploring the couch, climbing the cushions and leaping around in an altogether joyful manor!

Melody Joy and “Mum”

Teeth and hair are ways of assessing a monkeys age when they are babies. Despite the 8 week head start, Joy is the same weight as Melody. She has however, a larger than life disposition! Much as we are saddened by the arrival of orphaned baby monkeys, we were delighted for Melody’s sake that she would now have a monkey playmate and teacher. It is the norm, so I’m told, that when you introduce one orphan to another, by the end of the day they will be inseparable. The end of three days later there seems to be some bonding going on.

Bonding

Joy just seems to be so full of the joys of life that she can’t help bounding around at playtime, leaping on Melody’s head, grabbing her by the hair and altogether trying to rough and tumble with petrified, still psychologically damaged, delicate little Melody. Life really hasn’t gone as planned for Joy but it looks like she is not going to let that get in the way of making the best of what’s to come…

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