the ORIGIN OF ORPHANS  - The bushmeat trade
Hunting for bushmeat in most of West Africa is a tradition which has been part of daily life for 100's of years. However, the vast majority of hunting for bushmeat is no longer for subsistence (i.e. food to feed the family) but rather a cash economy. Rural communities supply bushmeat to urban traders for financial gain. However, it still can be a source of livelihood (bottom left selling bushmeat in Iko Esai) and meat for isolated rural villagers, and hunting for local consumption and sustenance of some species is sustainable, and encouraged.

It must be emphasized, however, that commercial hunting of species which reproduce slowly can never be sustainable**  and not only creates an 'empty forest syndrome', it also creates large numbers of orphaned primates; nursing infants, orphaned when their mothers are shot for meat. Most of these orphans end up living miserable lives as village pets (top left); many perish from their wounds or from inappropriate care. Those who come to CERCOPAN are the lucky ones, most often donated as a result of discussion and heightened awareness, but occasionally confiscated by wildlife officials.

CERCOPAN's ORPHANS
The majority of CERCOPAN's over 130 primates are orphans, by-products of the bush meat trade. Over the past 10 years, a nation-wide network has developed in Nigeria through contact with the Cross River National Park and State Forestry Departments, and visitors to CERCOPAN.  It is through this network that orphans or unwanted pets are identified

On average, 1-2 primates arrive at the centre  every month; some of these have been in captivity for many years, while others may only have been away from their mothers for a matter of days.  More and more, primates are donated by concerned owners who have heard about CERCOPAN's programme. We have had many donations as a direct result of our school outreach programme.

**We are also carrying out training and support for alternative livlihoods for people in our host community and this assistance is vital for lboth ocal support and well being.

QUARANTINE AND REHABILITATION

Once a newly arrived primate has cleared all tests during a rigorous 3 month quarantine period, the process of social rehabilitation begins. First, individuals must learn to become part of a group with their own species. Some can take up to a year before they are fully versed in the social behaviours required of normally functioning members of a dynamic social group.  Others, particularly young animals, adapt within days, soon forgetting their human surrogate families. Daily behavioural monitoring evaluates progress of individuals and changes in dominance hierarchy, as well as facilitating early identification of any illness.
 

Please consider ADOPTING AN ORPHAN PRIMATE and help us in our vital conservation work