Out and About with Silke

We take you out and about with premier primate rehabber Silke at Bambelela.

This week

The first task the team took on this week was the ‘greener transitory cage’ project, which involved purchasing and rolling out grass into the monkeys’ enclosures. This provided not only enrichment for the monkeys, but also a source of food, making their time at Bambelela as enjoyable as possible before they are released into the wild to live their free life.

Over a tonne of corn was very generously provided to the team this week, which will be used to feed the monkeys. With high prices on the market and low food availability at the site, donations such as this are incredibly appreciated and make a huge difference to the organisation, allowing the monkeys the best chance of care and subsequent freedom.

Also this week, Christina and her baby Liberty, who had to be taken into care after receiving a nasty injury to her arm, returned to their family in the wild. The infection to the arm is over, and Liberty’s arm is healing well.

Christina and Liberty being taken back to their home in the wild

Back in their home, where they have been living since December 2014

This week also saw the team rescue an abandoned baboon orphan from a farm in the early hours of the morning. Orphan baboons cannot be returned to their natal troops, as they are a very unique species with very unique requirements. This little boy was therefore transferred to a Baboon rehabilitation center, where he will be cared for and learn to bond with others of his kind for the next 5-7 years, before he is then able to live a free life. He will eventually be released back to the wild together with his bonded troop once they are all old enough and able to survive on their own.