The Great Primate Handshake – Volunteer in Africa, working to conserve monkeys and apes through film and educational content production

Vervet Monkey Foundation: Volunteer Opportunity

Written by George Tyson

24. September 2009

Vervet Monkeys have a hard situation in South Africa. The species is seen as a pest, and because of human encroachment on their habitat, the vervet’s environment is in serious decline. David Du Toit – the founder of the Vervet Monkey Foundation (VMF) – spoke to the Handshake volunteers about the sanctuary and the plight of [...]

Jessica Ney: Education is the key

Written by George Tyson

7. September 2009

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Jessica Ney is an animal behaviorist. She is in charge of the daily tours at JGI Chimp Eden, as well as administering the volunteer program they run and conducting behavioral research at the sanctuary. She has a BA in animal behavior, ecology and conservation, and a masters in animal sciences. Following her passion for animals [...]

Julia Lloyd: Primatologist And Village Girl

Written by Kate Smith

13. August 2009

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After a 10 minute walk up a steep, dusty hill we arrived at a small collection of wooden cabins which comprise bedroom, guest quarters and office, where we were greeted by a barefoot and smiling Julia. After brief introductions she kindly showed us her office – a small, raised wooden house. The walls were lined [...]

KAFRED

Written by Kate Smith

13. August 2009

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“We are using tourism as a tool to aid conservation and community development.” Tinka, KAFRED program manager KAFRED (Kibale Association For Rural and Environmental Development) was set up in 1992 to educate the local community about eco-tourism and instigate a system where part of the income generated by visitors to the Bigodi wetlands would be invested back [...]

How To Do It: The XO Project

Written by Kate Smith

12. August 2009

2 Comments

Jeff Bittner first came to Uganda in October last year. Back in April, he had met Elizabeth Ross who founded the Kasiisi Project which offers seconday school scholarships, builds buildings and latrines, gives out sanitary pads to girls and pays for extra teachers as well as running 5 primary schools around Kibale National Park which [...]

UWA Community Projects

Written by Kate Smith

7. August 2009

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“A bridge between the park and the communities” Annette, UWA Community Conservation Warden Although no one actually lives in Kibale Forest, there are many small communities crowded around its boundaries because of the fertility of the soil. There are guards to prevent snaring and charcoal burning and both of these illegal activities are rare. Nevertheless, unless the [...]

Myende Drama Competition

Written by Jessica Shouse

3. August 2009

3 Comments

Our team woke just before the sun peeked her face out from behind the horizon to the sound of chimpanzee vocalizations this morning. There was excitement in the air as the handshakers savored the pancakes that David and Bethan had prepared. Today, we would be traveling to an island on Lake Victoria to see the [...]

What did the Handshake volunteers think of Ngamba Island?

Written by Alasdair Davies

3. August 2009

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“I thought it was an impressive facility that really understood and embraced the power of education.” Ben Gething”I thought it was a brilliant natural environment for the chimps, that they had the majority of the island and we were just there to observe. A well-structured facility.” Conor McGrath “The staff were really enthusiastic about the chimps and the [...]