The Colobus Trust is a conservation organisation designed to promote the conservation, preservation and protection of primates like the rare Angolan Colobus monkey (Colobus angolensis palliatus) and its coastal forest habitat in southern Kenya. The Trust was established in 1997 in response to an outcry from local residents about the high number of deaths of the Colobus in the Diani area. Now, 10 years later, the Trust has numerous projects concerning the wildlife and the citizens of Kenya, including animal welfare, biological/ecological research, community development and education, forest protection and enrichment and eco-tourism awareness programmes.
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Mission Statement:To promote, in close co-operation with other organisations and local communities, the conservation, preservation and protection of primates, in particular the Angolan Colobus monkey (Colobus angolensis palliatus) and its associated coastal forest habitat in Kenya.
* Conserve and protect the Angolan Colobus and its habitat in Kenya;
* Inspire interest and participation in primate and environmental conservation;
* Promote the welfare of primates and to reduce the impact of human development on the environment in Diani and Kenya;
* Further understanding of the primate species and their conservation;
* Be able to respond and deliver a high quality primate rescue and rehabilitation service; * Become a model for other conservation based charities in Kenya to follow and emulate; a considerate employer through training and fair wage structure, to be self-funding, producing high quality valuable work and to be transparent.
Summary of Programme:
With fewer than 5000 Angolan black and white Colobus (Colobus angolensis palliatus) remaining in Kenya, this subspecies is currently one of the most threatened primates in Kenya. Diani, located on the south coast of Kenya, harbours an important but threatened population of Angolan Colobus monkeys (270 individuals in 2006) making it an important area for conservation. The Colobus Trust has been working tirelessly for ten years to conserve the rare Angolan black-and-white Colobus, the other primates of Diani, & the unique coastal forest on which they depend.
Immediate impact is the key to our work because of the rarity of both the Colobus and the forest. The ecological value of the forest itself is considerable, both as a Colobus habitat and in its recognition as one of the 25 top Global Biodiversity Hotspots by Conservation International. The economic potential of the Colobus monkeys and the forest is substantial for businesses and the local communities; both however are currently undervalued assets in Diani. Conservation solutions have been developed within five human-primate conflict areas. These conflict areas are habitat loss and loss of community natural resources, primate pests on farms and in hotesl, poor road traffic and power line management and snaring and trapping of primates. In addition to the conservation solutions, the Colobus Trust works with 33 local schools providing environmental workshops, assisting in the development of wildlife clubs and donations of educational supplies. During an average year our dedicated team of 11 staff members, with help from volunteers:
* Provide veterinary treatment care for 115 primate casualties of human / wildlife conflict.
* Prepare 1095 meals for the ex-pet monkeys in rehabilitation at the Trust.
* Trim back overhanging vegetation from 18,595 metres of un-insulated power lines, to prevent monkeys from being electrocuted.
* Spend 52 days building and maintaining monkey bridges to allow monkeys to cross busy Diani Beach road in safety.
* Collect 130 illegally set mammal-snares from areas of forest and bush.
* Educate 1058 school children during activity-filled, all-day environmental workshops.
* Conduct 2250 eco-tours of the Colobus Trust plot for Kenyan and international visitors, to educate them about the importance and value of Diani’s wildlife.
* Host 41 volunteers from Kenya and around the world, for up to 3 months at a time.
* Work on a daily basis with local community groups on a range of issues including; habitat protection; support for local environmental initiatives; support for wood carvers working with sustainably produced timber; primate pest management, and much more.
We are a successful, thriving and valued community-based organisation
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