Summer 2007
Jun 27, 2007
In This Issue (scroll below:)
~ Rainy Season at Sanaga-Yong Center
~ Cameroon Chimpanzee Reintroduction Group
~ IDA-Africa Gaining Ground ~ Protocol Agreement
~ Born To Be Wild, IDA-Africa Benefit, July 12, Beverly Hills
~ Botswana Safari for Two - Buy Your Raffle Ticket Now!
The thunder started rolling into camp at Sanaga-Yong Center just around dusk as a sort of artistic ending to a crisp day in which the green of the trees contrasted sharply with the blue of the sky. Not even five minutes after the first roar of thunder, the trees were swaying and the palm leaves where fanning the skies...it began to pour.
This was a familiar, nearly daily occurrence this time of year and as a car shifts gears for a common change in terrain, the staff and volunteers also fell right into stride. For most of us rain simply means grabbing an umbrella, running from awning to awning, or avoiding puddles. At Sanaga-Yong Center it means so much more.
The night passed and in the morning all pathways through the bush were transformed into mini muddy-red rivers. The rain persisted.
As usual, before the chimpanzees leave their overnight quarters to enter the forested enclosures, the morning staff patrols the perimeter of the enclosures watching carefully for branches hanging precariously from trees or any that have already fallen. A large branch could easily damage the electric enclosures, compromising the safety of the chimpanzees. The perimeter is patrolled again in the afternoon, this time the staff is accompanied by the chimpanzees who walk around the inside perimeter.
Caretaker walking perimeter to check security |
Jacky leading the group on patrol |
Although the sun will break through the clouds for at least a portion of the afternoon, until then, a close watch is kept on the electricity levels supplied by solar panels. Without adequate sun, the energy levels could fall too low causing a breach in the safety of the enclosures. Until all is secure and the rains have cleared, the chimpanzees remain in the overnight quarters. For most this is just as well as they really don’t like the rain, they spend the time sleeping or playing.
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Kiki (above) resting and Muna (r) awaking from a rain-nap.
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Solar Energy Electrical Building
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The morning work crew is often smaller than usual after heavy rains. Some are unable to walk the long distance to the Center because of the rains or they may have situations at their homes that prevent them from leaving.
At the daily organizational meeting, some of the staff are wearing their IDA-Africa issued rain gear and others shiver in their drenched clothes, unprepared. With such a reduced crew, we can't afford to lose anyone more so we dig through boxes of clothing left behind by former volunteers to loan dry clothes and rain gear.
With heavy rains, construction of the new enclosure for Tati, Amigo, Katchka and Jimi is put on hold as it all takes place out in the open. Staff is reorganized to address the plethora of other tasks that need to be done to care for the chimpanzees.
Delivery of the Center generator that had been repaired in town is postponed because the roads have turned into nothing more than muddy slide-ways. Similarly, the Sanaga-Yong Center truck that became stuck a mile from camp the previous day is not retrieved until the following evening. The bi-weekly purchase of supplies in the market as well as the purchase of fruit from the nearby village is delayed.
There are almost always windows in which the rain opens to some sunshine and it is through those windows in the heart of the rainy season that vital preparations are made for the time when the rain will return. This is the time for stocking up on food and supplies that we are unable to acquire during the rains.
Throughout the camp, rain collection containers are full...this water is used for cooking, bathing, all cleaning tasks, drinking for humans and chimpanzees, and any other purpose for which water is required.
In the afternoon, the rains give way to a brilliant sun. The ground is steaming and as the day fades the night sky becomes a blanket of stars. The following morning the sky is dark and the winds are gathering...preparing for rain.
Some unique chimpanzees love the rain.
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Avery (avobe) and Johnny(r) playing in the rain.
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Katchka (above) hanging out in the rain
and Johnny (l) catching rain drops. |
After the rain, the forest becomes a whole new playground.
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Massamba and Rob playing in puddles (l). Amigo and Jimi playing (above). |
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Amigo
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Jack looking at his reflection
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Cameroon Chimpanzee Reintroduction Group
In 1999, Dr. Sheri Speede founded IDA-Africa to help protect and conserve endangered great apes in Cameroon and to establish a life-saving sanctuary for chimpanzee orphans of the illegal bushmeat trade. Today, Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center is home to 59 chimpanzees ranging in age from one year to over 40 years. It is a safe place where these inspiring individuals can recover, form adoptive families, and live the remainder of their lives in peace.
But for some resilient chimpanzees Sanaga-Yong Center won’t be their final stop – rather it is a healing place on their way back home. In Defense of Animals-Africa, in partnership with two other conservation organizations in Cameroon, has formed the Cameroon Chimpanzee Reintroduction Group (CCRG), a unique partnership under the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) that will focus on reintroducing some chimpanzees back to their natural forest habitat.
The CCRG will begin analyzing potential release sites in Cameroon later this year. Its goal is to reintroduce a rehabilitated group of chimpanzees to a protected forest of Cameroon beginning in 2011. We'll keep you posted about this exciting development.
Protocol Agreement
Recently IDA-Africa's work in Cameroon gained very significant ground. In April 2007, Dr. Speede and officials from the Government of Cameroon signed an agreement Dr. Speede has been working toward for eight years.
The official “Protocol Agreement” formalizes the collaboration between the Government of Cameroon and IDA-Africa to promote protection of Cameroon's remaining wild chimpanzees and gorillas and to improve the lives of individual captive chimpanzees.
This now legally recognized collaboration empowers IDA-Africa, lending the voice and formal protection of the government to our work.
BORN TO BE WILD
Thursday, July 12, 2007 ~ 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
The Bernheim Estate
13211 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Join Rachel Hunter, Cobi Jones, and other chimpanzee-loving celebrities for hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, silent and live auction, a chance to win a safari for two, live music from Prince Diabate and much more!
Meet Internationally Acclaimed
Sheri Speede, DVM, Founder & Director
Dr. Speede will share stories and footage of orphaned chimpanzees and visions for the future of Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center and great ape conservation.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SPECIAL EVENT
Win a Safari for Two to Botswana
 Experience the wild places of Botswana, the last true Eden on the planet. The magnificent Okavango Delta, the renowned wildlife areas of Linyanti and Moremi. These wild and remote areas will reconnect you with your natural spirit ....
Buy your raffle ticket now - limited 2000 being sold. Need not be present to win!
Click here to learn more and to purchase your raffle ticket.
IDA-Africa
700 SW 126th Ave
Beaverton, OR 97005
503-643-8302
info@ida-africa.org
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