Sad loss: Bunyakiri

At the CRPL we face many challenges; and loosing animals is always the hardest of all. Sadly, little Bunyakiri a red tailed monkey passed away a few days ago. Bunyakiri was confiscated in September of 2009, in the village of Bunyakiri by the ICCN. Since arriving at the sanctuary Bunyakiri has lived with the other infant monkeys; enjoying play, sunshine and a good diet.

For the past few weeks, Bunyakiri has had some inflammation around the throat area. However, she has continued to eat and behave as normal. After much investigation and intensive care in the last few days, she passed away in the care of the veterinarian. A final investigation showed that a grasshopper leg had been caught in her throat. All of the monkeys of CRPL enjoy eating grasshoppers; they provide both enrichment and protein in their diet. Unfortunately, Bunyakiri had trouble with one and there were no symptoms to suggest distress.

The veterinarian and staff of the CRPL strive to give the best care possible to all animals. To loose a beautiful baby monkey, who had already been through so much in her life is distressing for everyone.

Update on Hilton, the mangabey from Suena

Hilton is the last mangabey who arrived at the CRPL in January. He came from Goma where he was abandoned in a compound with the nose-spot monkey and the five Suena chimps. Hilton was kept alone in a cage and he was really malnourished and mistreated. When he arrived to the CRPL he was sick and he didn’t have hair and was terribly skinny.

These last months in Lwiro he has been treated with lots of care, love and attention. He is eating a lot (he specially loves milk, onions and mangoes!) and he is recovering pretty well.

Yesterday we decided to move him in the baby monkeys’ cage. He is more than happy with the company of his new cage mates and he has already established his role in the new group. He is pretty gentle with the others but he is strict specially during the feeding times…no one can touch his food!

Hilton enjoying the sunlight with his new friends
Bunyakiri and Nunuse

Hilton grooming Malimingui

Hilton protecting his food

New enclosure for the baby monkeys

People that have been following this blog might have noticed that we've had a lot of new monkey baby arrivals in the last few months. We did not have appropriate cages for them and the little cages was getting very crowded. We tried to introduce some of them to the existing bigger groups, but with now luck, as the cages are allready full of monkeys. We desided we had to build a new cage. Luckily we had some materials from former projects so we only had to pay for some, plus the work and it turned out quite cheap.

We want to thank Raúl Cabrera a member of AICAS (Asociación Ibérica de Cuidadores de Animales Salvajes) for his kind donation which helped us build this much needed cage for the monkeys.
Putting trees inside before putting the mesh on.

Starting to put on the mesh.

Cage almost finished, only the door missing.

Yesterday the cage was finally finished and we moved 6 young monkeys, Bamboo, Nunuse, Hombo, Bunyakiri, Coco and Malimingi in. Malimingi was the first one to explore the enclosure and Bamboo, Nunuse and Coco quikly followed. Nunuse and Coco was running around playing after only minutes, and Bamboo was finding insects and grass that she liked to eat. Hombo and Bunyakiri were more scared and went into the little cage we have put into the enclosure to provide shelter for the rain. They stayed there for a while, but watching the others having the time of their life they soon came out and started exploring and playing. Soon they were ready to enjoy their first meal in their new home. They look very happy with the new cage!

-Hilde-

Putting four of the new residents inside with their old cage.

All this space is a bit scary at first

Malimingi contemplating the new space.

Hombo and Bunyakiri feels safer in a smaller space at first.

Nunuse

First meal in new home, Bamboo, Coco, Hombo and Bunyakiri.

Bamboo

New arrival, Malimingi

Malimingi on arrival with monkey keeper Jacques.

Yet another monkey arrived today. She had also been confiscated from the militaries in Goma. She's a little red-tailed monkey and we called her Malimingi, wich means big riches in swahili. She was scared and hungry, but seems ok. She'll move in with the other baby monkeys tomorrow. The four babies Nunuse, Hombo, Coco and Bunyakiri had moved into a cage together and she will move in with them. They are all about the same size. But she'll get tonight to eat and settle in a bit. And then there was 104 primates in Lwiro...

Malimingi eating a mango

New arrival, Bunyakiri

Bunyakiri

A new baby Red-tailed monkey arrived 13th of September. He is currently living with Hombo, the new baby Blue monkey. The two have become best friends and can be seen hugging and holding hands all day. He has been named Bunyakiri after the village he was confiscated from by the ICCN. We have now reached 103 primates in the sanctuary. Our facilities and budget are extremely limited but we are doing everything we can to give these animals the best life possible under the circumstances. If you feel you can help, please donate through this blog site. Every little bit helps!

-Bunyakiri grooming Hombo-

Hombo hugging Bunyakiri

-Andrea-