|
COLOBUS TRUST PROGRAMMES |
|
Identify and undertake conservation projects that will
give a direct conservation impact.
In addition to the numerous special
projects and initiatives, a key aim of the Colobus Trust is to
identify and undertake conservation projects that will give a direct
conservation impact. The research direction is focused on five
main human/primate conflict areas:
- Habitat loss
- Primate pest problem
- Road traffic accidents
- Electrocution of primates from power lines
- Snaring of primates
The Trust has two cross-cutting issues: Animal rescue &
rehabilitation and education.
It is recognised that the original reasons of setting up the Trust -
specifically that of an emergency centre to address issues of animal
welfare, were successful. The Trust has well functioning response
protocols for road traffic accidents, snaring of primates and for
electrocutions. As such, the Trust is now ready to embark on what is
recognised as the core problem to primates in Diani - that of habitat
loss. The Trust considers that the root cause of primate pests, road
traffic accidents, snaring and electrocutions stems from the extensive
deforestation and unsustainable development in the area. The
deforestation continues unabated. Without making habitat loss the core
concern for the Trust, we speculate that each of the primate problems
mentioned will worsen and means of addressing them will become
entirely unsustainable.
: |
|
1. Habitat Protection |
 Over 75% of
Diani's forests have already been lost to developments during the last
25 years. Remaining forests are fragmented and isolated. The Trust has
an indigenous seedling nursery and we would like to expand this aspect
of the Trust by encouraging hotel owners and local residents to
replenish the natural environment. See
[Forest Protection]. |
|
|
2. Primate 'Pest* Management |
 Since the Trust began its work with the colobus, it
has become increasingly aware of more general human-primate conflicts in
the area. In the past 20 years, deforestation in Diani has been
rapid, and some primates have adapted to their new environment by
stealing food from tourists, hotel kitchens, and waste sites. For
example, the baboons in Diani reproduce almost three times faster than
the same species in nearby Shimba Hills.
See
[Human - Wildlife Conflict]. |
|
|
3. Road Traffic Management |
 When the Trust was founded, one of the main threats
to Diani's colobus monkeys was death caused by motor accidents.
The home ranges of these arboreal primates have been bisected by a major
road, and they are subsequently very prone to road injuries whilst
crossing through their ranges. See [Colobridges]. |
|
|
4. Electrocution Management |
 After the success of the colobridge campaign, the
main cause of death and injury for the colobus is electrocution on the uninsulated power lines in the Diani area. The Trust
works with the Kenyan Power and Lighting Company to regularly cut
back the trees beside the power lines with the goal to have the lines insulated and to have any new lines
insulated. See [Electrocutions]
and [Tree Trimming]. |
|
|
5a. Anti-Poaching Measures - Illegal Pet Trade |
Regularly the Trust receives monkeys that are a
result of the illegal pet trade. They have been confiscated from
hom es,
and also from people using them as 'beach' monkeys for tourists to get
their picture taken with. The Trust takes these monkeys and gives
them a fresh start with others of their species and puts them through a
re-wilding process in order that they can be released into a reserve. |
|
|
|
Cross-cutting Issue: Primate Rescue |
 The
Trust responds to animal welfare calls for of all primate species.
Frequently these are road injuries, electrocution, snares and cases
of animal cruelty. We have a small veterinarian clinic on site
at the Trust for when cases require intervention.
See [Animal Welfare]. |
|
|
Cross-cutting Issue: Injury Care &
Rehabilitation |
 In
as many cases as possible, the Trust treats and returns the primate to
its home troop as soon as possible. We rarely deal with long-term
captive care though we are equipped to handle short term care cases.
Generally, there is little contact between those monkeys in for
treatment and our staff, in order that their ‘wildness’ is promoted.
See
[Animal Welfare]. |
|
|
Cross-cutting Issue: Education - Tourist Awareness |
 Awareness is a large part of our work including
attempts to inform visitors of the problems they cause by feeding the
animals.
The Colobus Trust
has actively worked with Diani hotels in pest management and has
prepared numerous reports and recommendation guides for hotels in 2002
and 2003. See the
[tourist survey] carried out in October
2002 of 455 tourists from 19 different nationalities from 18
different hotels. |
|
|
Cross-cutting Issue: Education - Publicity & Marketing |
 Every
six months the Trust produces "The Colobus Update" -- an informative
newsletter to the public. Also, around three times per year, the Trust hosts an
awareness raising event like the 2002 Mt. Kenya Climb, 2002 Colobus Art
Auction / Mixer, 2003 Colobus Golf Tournament, Beach Clean-Up and 10k
Colobus Charity Walk. See [Events]. |
|
|
Cross-cutting Issue: Education- School Workshops |
30 children from 33 schools in the Kwale area come to the Trust each
year for an exciting wildlife experience .
Workbooks based on fun learning is the key to workshops' success. See
[Educational
Workshops]. |
|
|
Cross-cutting Issue: Education - Publicity & Marketing |
The Colobus Cottage boasts an information and
education centre, which is also open to the public for specific hours
each week. We have full-time staff members trained as tour-guides, who
give an education talk about the Trust, as well as a tour of our Nature
Trail and colobus information. Tourists are predominantly English,
French and German speaking.
See [Visit Us]. |
|
