In Diani, two species of monkey have been officially classified as
vermin: baboons and vervets. Yet it remains a love-hate situation as the
hotels also recognise that the monkeys are a tourist attraction.
Baboons, vervets and sykes monkeys often raid hotels and homes in the
area. Pest behaviour includes theft of food, threatening, scratching and
biting of staff and guests, and destruction of roofs and other property.
Colobus monkeys, owing to their different dietary adaptation, are the
only species that do not cause problems as they stay in the tree canopy
and their diet is mainly made up of leaves.
In the monkeys’ defence, these homes and hotels have been built in
what is, traditionally, their home range. Development has greatly
reduced the number of food tree species in the area. This is coupled
with an increase in the birth rate compared to truly wild troops as
human food and waste is readily available which requires considerably
less expenditure of energy to access and the foods have a higher caloric
value than wild forage.
Primate pest behaviour is also enhanced through the enticement of
monkeys to approach people for photos through the offering of food.
Hotels are particularly vulnerable because they serve food in open areas
and at specific times of the day. This regularity changes the routine of
monkeys in order that they can best take advantage of the situation.
In order to resolve this problem, the Colobus Trust conducts Primate
Pest Assessments and follow-up Management Workshops with hoteliers and
home owners. Topics during these workshops include the value of monkeys
(ecological and socio-economic), monkey psychology, deterrents, waste
management and individual roles in conservation. |
