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

Baboons at Knowsley Safari Park (UK) turn to potatoes to keep warm

Written by Alasdair Davies

6. January 2010

The chilling arctic weather front currently moving across the UK is of concern to zoos and safari parks – some turning to the offer of hot potatoes as a method to keeping their resident primate populations warm. Photograph: Knowsley Safari Park/PA Original article: UK faces coldest winter in 30 years

Campbell’s monkey calls deciphered by researchers

Written by Alasdair Davies

13. December 2009

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Researchers claim to have deciphered the way primates communicate. The article by Chris Green from The Independent details the various calls made by Campbell’s monkeys with an aim to interpreting what they mean. The article reads: The secret behind the origins of human language may lie in the jungle chatter of a species of monkey, a team [...]

University of Cape Town’s Baboon Research Unit commended by WWF

Written by Alasdair Davies

21. November 2009

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The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa have commended Cape Town University’s Baboon Research Unit. “UCT’s Baboon Research Unit (BRU) has paved the way for the Cape Peninsula’s baboon population to be elevated from the status of a little known, much maligned population to one that may prove to be the benchmark for the successful management [...]

A new initiative aims to find out where are forests go: The Forest Footprint Disclosure

Written by Alasdair Davies

8. October 2009

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Article by Alasdair Davies, Web Development Director, The Great Primate Handshake. Do you know where the wood-based products you use on a daily basis actually come from? It’s a difficult question to answer as the paper trail and information necessary to identify a source is often hidden from a consumer’s eye, honestly unknown, or not declared [...]

Vervet Monkey Foundation: Volunteer Opportunity

Written by George Tyson

24. September 2009

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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

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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 [...]