Murijiza - miracle

A couple of weeks ago the keepers got a big surprise while feeding the monkeys in the morning. There was an extra head to count! Overnight, Vienna, a female Owl-faced monkey had given birth. The strange thing is that only female monkeys are currently living in this cage. However, five months ago Sidney (who has passed away) was also in the cage. After the females hurt him he was removed from the cage for one month to recover and afterward was place back inside the cage. The next day Sidney was found dead, with no injuries at all to his body. We can only assume that Sidney is the father of this new little monkey who has been named Murijiza (miracle in Swahili). Of course, it is not ideal for sanctuaries to breed animals, and we do what we can to prevent this. However, we have limited recourses and facilities. At present we are working on implanting all of the female monkeys with contraceptives.

-Andrea-

New arrival, Hombo

A baby Blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis) arrived on the 8th of September with the staff of the ICCN. He has been named Hombo as he arrived from the Hombo forest in South Kivu.

Hombo

New arrivals, Civets!

Civet babies on arrival

On the 18th of August we were told by the ICCN to expect the arrival of a civet that afternoon. No other details were known except that the civet was coming from Lulingu by airplane. We began looking for suitable housing and food so that we would be ready for when the animal arrived. When the ICCN representative arrived he was carrying a small basket and inside it were three baby civets. They were so young that their eyes were closed most of the time, they were very unstable on their feet and they could not eat solid food. We are not well equipped for caring for animals such as these dogs like omnivores at Centre for rehabilitation of Primates in Lwiro. However, we always give the best care we are able, to any animal that arrives. As they were so small we decided it best that they stay in the house to be cared for around the clock. They were receiving three hourly milk feeds day and night.

Almost a month on, the three baby civets are doing very well. They have grown tremendously, have their eyes open and bright and run around a lot. They are still receiving milk feeds regularly and yesterday we began offering small amounts of meat. They now spend the day in a small make-shift yard, but still sleep inside at nights.

-Andrea-

Misisi is doing well!

Misisi

Misisi was introduced to the nursery cage about one and a half months ago. From the first day she adjusted well and remained in the cage day and night. Misisi is now extremely dominant within the cage. She loves to play with all the other babies and needs constant attention from them all. She demands to be the first to have milk in the morning and the porridge at night.

Maiko with Misisi in the background looking for peanuts

-Andrea-