Lisa observing mangabeys in the large 1 hectare enclosure |
In June 2008 Lisa Reader recently completed 3 months of field
work for her Masters research - read here about her experience with CERCOPAN.
"Hello! I am a student from Roehampton University London and am
at CERCOPAN until June working on my Masters in Primatology. Everyone here has
been exceptionally helpful and accommodating, this is my first time in Africa
and I can’t imagine it without the support of a team like CERCOPAN. During my
time I have had the pleasure of spending time at both the Calabar site and Rhoko
site. Both are distinctly different from each other and offer their own personal
blend of Nigerian flavour. Calabar is a true metropolis with restaurants, public
transport and internet cafes. No matter where they are from the people are
always friendly and have been teaching me different words and phrases in Ibo,
Efik, and Akwa Ibom – 3 of the over 250 languages spoken in Nigeria.
Rhoko is a truly different experience as CERCOPAN’s “Bush
Site” it really is like taking a trip to the country after the hustle and bustle
of Calabar. Everything slows down and instead of falling asleep to the sound of
motorbikes passing I drift off to the majestic sounds of the forest with
crickets, hyrax and frog noises. The people here are from CERCOPAN host
community of Iko Esai and could not be more welcoming everyone knows my name and
greets me enthusiastically- even after 1 week! Each time I visit the keepers in
their homes I am practically forced to feed plantains in an overwhelming gesture
of hospitality that I have yet to witness in any other country. My cultural
experiences in Nigeria have far exceeded any expectations I had before arriving
yet almost pale when compared to the monkeys I have met here at CERCOPAN - they
continue to amaze me.
While in Calabar and Rhoko may diverge in cultural feel, the
uplifting message brought to both by CERCOPAN is constant. When I first moved
from the US, to London to begin my Masters Program I knew I wanted to do a
project at a primate sanctuary but hadn’t a clue which one. I now consider
myself very fortunate to have chosen CERCOPAN because it is clear that
CERCOPAN’s involvement in the community and dedication to rainforest
conservation, primate conservation are what make it such a success." |
