CERCOPAN

Category: Cercopan, Monkeys, Orphaned baby monkeys, Saving endangered monkeys | Date: Jun 16 2009 | By: cercopan

by Dani Mancini

As my time at CERCOPAN goes by, I am finding myself being given more daily duties and responsibilities and, after returning from the bush to CERCOPAN’s centre in Calabar, I was only more than happy to be given the daily duty of feeding the infant monkeys throughout the day. 

Bella

There are many different groups of young monkeys who all need a milk supplement to their normal fruit diet in order to continue developing properly. Amongst the monkeys I have been put in charge of preparing milk for are 6 juvenile monas, 1 juvenile red tail, 1 juvenile putty and our newest baby orphan putty, all of whom range from just a few months old to around 4 years. In the wild, the monkeys we have here at Cercopan would continue nursing for a few years after birth so, when in captivity, it is important to continue to supplement their diet in the same way to ensure they do not miss out on any of the essential vitamins and minerals they require for growth.

Dani giving infants milk  

The milk given to the monkeys is made from the vitamin rich powdered milk, Nan, which is given at 2 hour intervals throughout the day between the hours of 9 and 6. In order to imitate the milk the infants would naturally receive from their mothers the milk is served lukewarm and, for the youngest of our infant monkeys, in a little milk-bottle to simulate their mothers’ teat. The best part about being able to feed the young monkeys here is that it is the perfect opportunity to get to know each individual personality. I always try and take a few moments to stay and watch the infants when they feed as it is the most fantastic way of learning first hand  just how unique and complex each individual can be. I’ve also gained a slight amount of trust from the infants - one of the young monas, Tina, now even insists on giving me a little groom each time I go to deliver her group’s milk!. It has also shocked me just how intelligent these young monkeys are, if there’s a way of getting to the milk before they are supposed to, they will find it. Even the monkeys in neighbouring cages hatch cunning plans to steal the infants’ milk. Billy the one eyed mona, who neighbours the young red tail, for example, has found a way of reaching through his cage mesh to get to the milk bowl next door. And when he’s got it…he certainly isn’t prepared to let go!  Whilst all volunteers here at CERCOPAN are more than willing to invest the time needed to dish out these milk supplements, I am growing to understand that it is proving to be a huge financial strain. Each day the young monkeys work their way through a whole tin of Nan and, given that it is a high cost item, it is one of CERCOPAN’s largest food expenditures. It is, however, integral to our young infants’ development that we continue to enhance their diets in this way so in some cases, cut backs are having to be made elsewhere. 

However, I have to add that the more time I spend here, the more I am inspired by how much NGOs such as CERCOPAN can achieve with so little funds and, whilst I am volunteering here, I am determined to do all that I can to help.

 Bella and Jerry

Tags: africa, animal, baby monkeys, Cercocebus torquatus, Cercopan, Cercopithecus erythrotis, Cercopithecus mona, Cercopithecus nictitans, Cercopithecus preussi, Cercopithecus sclateri, Conservation, endangered species, infant monkeys, mona guenon, mona monkey, monkey, Monkeys, Nigeria, orphaned monkeys, Preuss’s guenon, Preuss’s money, primate nutrition, primates, putty-nosed guenon, putty-nosed monkey, rainforest, rare species, Red-capped mangabey, red-eared guenon, red-eared monkey, rescue, save endangered species, Sclater’s guenon, Sclater’s monkey, threaten species, wildlife

2 responses so far

Category: CERCOPAN supporters saving rainforests and orphaned mon, Cercopan, Monkeys, Nigeria, Orphaned baby monkeys, Rain Forests | Date: Apr 28 2009 | By: cercopan

A big thank you to Phillip, Brigitta and Wanda for your kind donations. Brigitta and Wanda, your donations have been used to feed and care for a new baby red eared guenon called Jerry who has just arrived with us. I will post some pictures of him for you over the next couple of days. Phillip, here are some photographs of Bella, she is still living alone as there have been no suitable babies to place her with, but new orphan Jerry is almost through his preliminary quarantine tests and will be placed with her very soon. Check back later in the week to see how they get on…..

Tags: africa, animal, Cercocebus torquatus, Cercopan, CERCOPAN supporters, Cercopithecus erythrotis, Cercopithecus mona, Cercopithecus nictitans, Cercopithecus preussi, Cercopithecus sclateri, Conservation, donations, endangered species, mona guenon, mona monkey, monkey, Monkeys, Nigeria, Nigerian wildlife, orphaned monkeys, Preuss’s guenon, Preuss’s money, primates, putty-nosed guenon, putty-nosed monkey, rainforest, rare species, Red-capped mangabey, red-eared guenon, red-eared monkey, Sclater’s guenon, Sclater’s monkey, threatened species, volunteers, wildlife

One response so far

Category: Cercopan, Monkeys, Nigeria, Orphaned baby monkeys, Saving endangered monkeys | Date: Mar 18 2009 | By: cercopan

As a rule, the orphan monkeys brought into our rehabilitation centre will have originated no further than 50 miles from Calabar, in the forests of Cross River State. But Bella, our latest recruit, travelled 500 miles to get here, and came in by plane! And it was our Blog that triggered booking her ticket. If you take a quick look at a map of Nigeria, you can find Calabar tucked away in the South-Eastern corner, close to the Cameroon border. In the South-Western corner you can’t miss Lagos, and then a little further West you will find Badagry, the last coastal town before the Benin border. Bella was seen being walked on a string  nearby Badagry by a keen conservationist and animal lover (Phillip) who works in the area.

Phillip saying goodbye to Bella

He made the decision to take her into his home, not yet sure how to resolve the issue of her long-term care. Recognising her as a young female Mona monkey, Phillip surfed the internet for any possibility of being able to place her into expert hands. He came across our Blog and posted a message asking if we could take her in. Regardless of the distance involved, we pride ourselves in offering sanctuary to any displaced Nigerian forest monkey. So we immediately started to make plans for her journey to Calabar.  By good fortune, our Mona expert, Sylvain, was due back into Nigeria shortly, spending a night in Lagos. So we had Bella collected from Badagry by car to coincide with the evening of his arrival. After a brief excursion to check out the curtains in the flat, Bella was settled down by Sylvain for a good night’s rest in preparation for the flight ahead. 

Bella in the flat in Lagos

Armed with a fit-to-fly vet’s certificate, and a dog travel box, Sylvain was allowed by the airline to supervise her loading onto the plane. Although a little shaken up by the one-hour plane ride, Bella arrived happily to her new home in Calabar safe and sound. She is already loving her surroundings, with the regular warm milk and variety of foods, and the interesting surroundings of her own kind.

Sylvain loading Bella onto the plane

Bella has taken very well to joining the CERCOPAN fold, already best friends with the two neighbouring Monas. Despite the short time they have been together, they are already very taken with Bella, grooming her through the mesh and cuddling next to her, sharing in the warmth of their closeness.  

It’s a happy beginning to a new way of life for Bella - La Bella Vida!

Bella making friends

Tags: africa, animal, baby monkeys, Cercocebus torquatus, Cercopan, Cercopithecus erythrotis, Cercopithecus mona, Cercopithecus nictitans, Cercopithecus preussi, Cercopithecus sclateri, Conservation, endangered species, mona guenon, mona monkey, monkey, Monkeys, Nigeria, Nigerian wildlife, orphaned monkeys, Preuss’s guenon, Preuss’s money, primates, putty-nosed guenon, putty-nosed monkey, rainforest, rare species, Red-capped mangabey, red-eared guenon, red-eared monkey, Sclater’s guenon, Sclater’s monkey, threatened species, volunteers, wildlife

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