Volunteers Emily and Eva are
currently spending some time away from the Makasutu centre and are based at our Sambel
Kunda centre in Central River Region. The reason for this is that they are re-releasing
the three red patas monkeys that have been in our care for several months. Daynano was a
small baby monkey when he was ripped away from his mother by hunters and passed to some
children. Whilst in their care he sustained a broken leg and ended up in the care of the
wonderful GHDT team. He spent 6 months living and rehabilitating in Emily's care and this
meant they developed a very strong bond. The other monkeys were older, but also rescued
from the illegal wildlife trade and came to us to be rehabilitated before being
re-released.
Daynano was carefully introduced to the older
monkeys and over several months he learnt to live with them, rather than his human carer.
This is essential for his well-being and future and the introductions went very well. He
quickly learnt how to interact with them, even mutual grooming with them and learning how
to forage with them for appropriate foods.
Since being up in Sambel, many sites were
explored to find the most appropriate place for release. When eventually the right place
was found the three monkeys were released and it was hoped that they would join with the
local patas troop. The monkeys eventually ventured off into the bush and a couple of nerve
racking days followed where no sign of them could be found. However, after just a couple
of days the team received a phone call from someone who had found a monkey. A cattle
farmer had been driving his motorbike when a patas monkey suddenly jumped onto his back!
He was understandably a little worried about this and so took the monkey to a person who
he knew was good with animals. This little monkey was Daynano. Fortunately he ended up in
very kind hands and they knew to contact our team, but sadly it means that he has become
separated from his female companions, who are believed to have joined the local troop of
red patas.
It is now time to come up with a plan B for
him. Unfortunately, it is too dangerous for him to simply be released again because he is
still choosing to seek support and comfort from humans, rather than other monkeys, despite
him having developed a strong bond with the females he lived with. It may be necessary for
him to find a home in a monkey reserve where he will be protected, so many conversations
are being had with different organisations to help us find a way for him to have the most
natural, safe life possible.
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