Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

The Zambian Primate Project* team remains busy investigating reports of illegally held primates across Zambia. Whilst they have suffered the loss of contact in recent weeks with an important informer in Patauke, reports continue to reach the team, and there is hope that 3 vervet monkeys can soon be rescued from illegal ownership, following information received in Lusaka. The details of such plans cannot, for obvious reasons, be revealed in advance, but sometimes sensitive information leaks, as was illustrated just a few months ago when someone illegally owning a monkey was tipped off about an imminent confiscation operation and, sadly, killed the monkey before it could be seized.

On a more positive note, the integrations of those monkeys that the team have managed to save, are going well for this year’s release troop, which currently stands at 34 vervet monkeys. At the same time a further 7 vervets have already been integrated to form the basis of a separate troop that will hopefully be up for release next year.

The yellow baboon troop now numbers 13, with Jaklini’s integration well underway. Doreen is still struggling to fit into her new troop with her adoptive young charge, Charlie, remaining - for the most part - separate from the rest of the group, and fearful of their bullying. Although she has been living in the enclosure with her troop for almost two months now, it is still uncertain if she will integrate well enough to be released with them, or if she will instead form the basis of a subsequent release troop. The team is working hard to give her every chance of release this time around, conscious of her age, and not wanting to have to wait another year or two for her to have her freedom.

With so many monkeys rescued – and yet more in need of confiscation – a network of surrogate parents has been set up to care for baby primates taken in by the project, to offer the 24 hour care these unweaned babies require. Lusaka Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) have been very enthusiastic helping identify five potential surrogate parents so far, all of whom have relevant experience of hand-rearing young wild animals. This collaboration with LAWS has also provided an opportunity to raise additional awareness of the Zambian Primate Project within Zambia.

To help the team care for rescued monkeys undergoing rehabilitation, donate here.

View a copy of the latest report from ZPP here (pdf 500KB)

*Formerly Lunga Luswishi Wildlife Project