Trunkline Magazine (Louisville Zoo) December 2018 | Page 7

You Helped Save Animals
Pan African Sanctuary Alliance Member:
Colobus Conservation
Colobus monkeys are fun to
watch as they climb through the
trees and munch on leaves, but
their wild cousins are facing threats
due to deforestation and hunt-
ing. Our conservation partner, Pan
African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), is
the only alliance of wildlife sanc-
tuaries and global conservation
experts working across Africa to
protect primates and their forest
and savanna homes.
One of PASA’s member conser-
vation organizations is Colobus
Conservation. This is a 24/7 emer-
gency response team for primate
welfare, including a veterinary clinic
just for wildlife. For over 20 years,
they have rehabilitated and released
hundreds of monkeys. In addition to
providing veterinary care, Colobus
Conservation also builds colobridges
that allow monkeys to cross roads
safely, trims trees around power
lines to reduce primate electrocu-
tions, and works with communities,
providing weekly school groups
with opportunities to visit and learn
how to live alongside wildlife.
Below, read about two special
colobus monkeys rescued by
Colobus Conservation.
Angolan colobus monkey Betsy
has always had a special place in
the hearts of Colobus Conservation
staff. She was found by the staff
at only two weeks old, orphaned
Angolan colobus monkey Betsy and young monkey Kuishi at a PASA sanctuary.
in the wild. With loving diligence,
Betsy survived against all odds,
making headlines as the world’s
first successfully hand-reared and
weaned Angolan colobus monkey.
In the last year, Betsy’s story
became even bigger and better, as
she took on the role of full-time
foster mom to colobus monkey
Kuishi. Kuishi came to Colobus
Conservation with his mother that
was paralyzed. His mother tragically
died, leaving him orphaned. He
initially needed 24-hour care. When
he was introduced to Betsy, she im-
mediately adopted him. It was truly
remarkable that Betsy had the skills
and knowledge to care for Kuishi as
she had never cared for an infant of
her own or even observed another
monkey raise an infant. However,
from the moment Betsy and Kuishi
were introduced, they became in-
separable. Betsy's instincts kicked in
and she became a first-rate mother.
Kuishi now lives with Colobus Con-
servation’s other colobus monkeys
that will all be released into the wild
together as a troop in the future.
Kuishi in Swahili means “survivor,”
which he certainly is. We could not
be prouder of Betsy and Kuishi!
Did you know?
25 cents from every Louisville Zoo general admission ticket and $1
from every membership goes directly to conservation partners world-
wide. Collectively, these quarters and dollars can make a huge impact!
Just by visiting the Zoo or becoming a member, you play an important
part in helping vital conservation efforts around the world.
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Winter 2018 • 7