Fence construction continues!

With thanks to our amazing sponsors the next faze in construction on the 'Chimpanzee Habitat for Conservation and Education' began yesterday!

Lwiro Roots and Shoots continues!

Roots and Shoots Lwiro now has a new instructor – Roger! Roger did an amazing job at teaching the children about World Forest Day and the importance of forests in the lives of people and animals! And most importantly, what the children can do to save their own forests in Congo!

The children had such a fantastic time they couldn’t stay in their seats! Roger also used story telling and songs in his lesson. The children were keen to share their own stories and songs as well.

Amazing support from amazing organizations - THANK YOU!

The CRPL is so happy to announce that since January 2011 we have been awarded four grants.

The International Primate Protection League US– a fantastic supporter of the CRPL - awarded us one of their end of year grants. While the International Primate Protection League UK also awarded us a grant. These funds will contribute to the running costs of the CRPL and the continued construction of the fences. We thank IPPL for their ongoing support.

Chester Zoo awarded a grant for the completion of a parasitological study working within the CRPL and Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
And Columbus Zoo have awarded the CRPL a grant to cover the costs of the electric and solar power system for the ‘Chimpanzee Habitat for Conservation and Education’.

The assistance of these organizations is so appreciated. We can not thank you enough.

How do you feed over 100 primates?

It is a challenge to find the right food and enough of it here in Lwiro to feed the 100 plus primates in our care. In the dry season, food can be hard to find or the quality isn’t fantastic. Generally we purchase all of our dry stock in bulk from Bukavu (the city 60km from Lwiro). And we purchase all of our fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers either from the twice weekly markets or when they come to the door to sell us their goods. However, even with this system, sometimes we found it hard to get enough food. So, as the sanctuary was growing, we decided it was time to start a farm of our own. Still 80% of our food is purchased from local people, but our farm gives us a little security and the opportunity to grow items not found here in Lwiro already. Having a farm also means more employment in the local area – so everyone wins.

Here at the CRPL we grow:

• Bananas
• Mangoes
• Avocadoes
• Papaya
• Guavas
• Kumquats
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Apples (although, the trees are not yet mature)
• Custard apples
• Zinziber (a forest fruit)
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Pumpkins
• Eggplants

Custard Apples

Orange

Banana tree

Zinziber

Papaya

Corn (mais)

Pumpkins

Having fun in the infant group!

Maiko

Julius

Papy our caregiver grooming the babies! Aketi waits for his turn.

Papy tickling Aketi!

Misisi!

Maiko chasing the others...

Learn more about the CRPL

The CRPL is officially managed by a committee of three organisations:

Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) represented by Radar Nisuli, Directeur et Chef de Site au PNKB.

The ICCN is the wildlife authority in DRC. They are in charge of protected areas and community conservation development around these areas. As well, they fight against the illegal animal trafficing and confiscate animals from poachers or private individuals who are housing endangered animals illegally. http://www.iccn.cd

Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles (CRSN) represented by Jacques Mwanga, Chef du département de Biologie du CRSN;The CRSN was established on July 1, 1947 by Prince Charles of Belgium. The CRSN has aimed to raise, promote, conduct and study the sciences of human and nature especially in the Belgian Congo and Rwanda-Burundi. http://crsn-lwiro.blogspot.com; http://www.fieldmuseum.org/congo_french/instcrsn.html

NGO Coopera represented by Carmen Vidal, Technical Director.

Coopera is a Spanish NGO which was established in 1994 in Logroño (Spain) to carry out international cooperation projects for development through local NGOs. Since foundation, we have developed projects in Kenya, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Angola, Guatemala, Peru, México, Israel and now in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

During this time we have stated that the exploitation of natural and biological resources; together with its loss, is one of the main causes of poverty.

For this reason, we use the conservation of biodiversity as a key strategy for the social and economic development of local communities. COOPERA NGO has always used education as the main tool for the interventions’ durability.

Coopera NGO has been working in DRC since November 2006 developing a “Community Conservation Program” in South Kivu Province. www.coopera.cc

The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) has extended its conservation network across central Africa by granting membership to the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre in the Democratic Republic of Congo, bringing the total number of PASA member sanctuaries that care for orphaned apes and monkeys to 20.

Lwiro is the first new member admitted to PASA since 2008. The facility was accepted into PASA following a detailed application process that included a site inspection and a vote of the PASA advisory council. http://www.pasaprimates.org/

We also are certified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) was formed in 2007 by nationally and globally recognized leaders in the animal protection field for the sole purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries in the United States and abroad.

http://www.sanctuaryfederation.org/gfas/home

Coopera NGO, is also the representative in the field for other international NGO which supported the CRPL since the beginning. These are:

· Venner av Lwiro from Norway

· Rainfer, a Spanish primate rescue center from Spain

· Friends of Lwiro from Australia,

· Wildvets, Spain

We have received funds from different organizations. Without their help our work could not continue. All the animals from Lwiro Rehabilitation Center say THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT SUPPORT:

· IPPL: International Primate Protection League, USA

· AWARE Germany: Animal Wild Aid Rehabilitation and Education, Germany

· ISP: International Primatological Society, USA

· Fundacion Altarriba, Spain

· AIZA: Asociación Ibérica de Zoológicos y Acuáriums, Spain

· Kristiansand Dyre Park, Norway

· Sea World and Busch Gardens, USA

· Chester Zoo, UK

· Zoo de Barcelona, Spain

· FAADA: Fundación para la Adopción y el Apadrinamiento de los Animales no-humanos, Spain

· MONUC: United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Congo

· Fundacion MONA, Spain

· Taronga Zoo, Australia

· Rotary Dandenong Club, Australia

· JGI Spain: Jane Goodall Institut Spain

· JGI Uganda: The Jane Goodall Institute Uganda

· JGI Holland: The Jane Goodall Institute Holland

· JGI Australia: The Jane Goodall Institute Australia

· Disney, USA

· Oregon Zoo Foundation, USA

· Spanish Ministry of Environment

· Equip Vert, Spain

AND TO ALL OF OUR PRIVATE DONORS WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS MEAN A GREAT DEAL TO ALL OF US! THANK YOU!

Rest in Peace Monuc

The CRPL management is very sad to announce the passing of Monuc. Monuc was a very beautiful female chimpanzee who was always a gentle soul. She lived in a group with other adult chimpanzees and enjoyed watching the outlook from the cage! Monuc arrived in July 2002 and was most likely born in 2001. Like all chimpanzees at the CRPL Monuc was poached from the wild – loosing her family and suffering greatly in the process. We gave her the best life we possibly could and only wish that she is in a better place now. Our veterinarians are following up results, but it seems she has passed away from an infection. We can not express our sadness at loosing Monuc – there are no words for it!

Pepin arrives at the CRPL!

A new baby Cercopithecus ascanius has arrived at CRPL! This little red-tailed monkey was confiscated in the Miti area in the South Kivu Provence. The confiscation was completed by the ICCN (Institut Congolaise pour la Conservation de la Nature), the Congolese Governments Authority for Conservation. He was being kept as a pet.

The little male has been called Pepin and will remain in quarentine for a one month period before being introduced to the other baby monkeys.

When Pepin arrived he was given a thorough examination by Dr. Luis Flores (Wildvets veterinarian - currently managing CRPL short term) and Dr. Masunga (our local vet incharge of animal rounds and daily medications). The examination showed that Pepin was in very bad physical condition - thin, poor hair condition and full of parasites.

Pepin is now being provided with lots of food and water and a clean environment. He has improved significantly since his arrival! We can't wait until he also has some play mates!

Enrichment for the animals!

The staff at the CRPL have been giving the animals some enrichment today! Firehose with special treats inside and lots more. See the pictures below.

More work on the fences....

Work on the enclosure continues! These pictures show Michel, Vincent and their wonderful team of local men hard at work soldering the remaining brackets in place and then painting the posts. The first coat of pain (red) is a rust deterrent – we want to be sure this enclosure lasts a very long time! And the second coat of paint (green) is to blend the enclosure into the surroundings.

This is going to be a spectacular construction – especially once the chimpanzees are inside! We still have a way to go, if you would like to be a part of the project click the donate button to your left! We will bring you more updates as soon as we can!