The Great Primate Handshake’s first expedition within South Africa has now come to an end. It has been an action-packed month of travel, team bonding, digital media production and most importantly conservation.
Whilst on the expedition I found myself questioning many aspects of my life in the UK, from my carnivorous tendencies to my desire to ascend the ranks within the media industry. Personally, I blame the anthropologists. The anthropology team were rather keen on questions, they didn’t always expect an answer but discussions generally resulted in considerably more unanswered questions than we had begun with. Although the questioning technically finished with each discussion, I’m sure that each member of the handshake team found themselves searching for their own answers and justification, many hours post-discussion. One question that featured more frequently, as we neared the end of the expedition, was that of the reasons behind our motivation to conserve.
Prior to the expedition I’m sure that each of the volunteers would have expressed an interest in conservation, however most, including myself, were passive about conservation. There was an aspect of this expedition that caused every volunteer to become an active conservationist. For me, I believe that it was the opportunity to gain, develop and share skills related to digital media within the context of primate conservation. I genuinely believe that this expedition has not solely aided for its one month duration in South Africa, but in fact the media produced and the skills developed within volunteers, and shared with communities and sanctuaries, will enable the work and benefits to continue long after the expedition itself finished.
I quickly became aware that no aspect of the work to be undertaken had a final structure until time was taken to listen to and discuss problems and potential solutions with each of the sanctuaries visited. Each sanctuary had certain views as to how they desired the means for financial stability and their future evolution. Without taking the time to comprehend these factors the media produced may not have been suitable for the individual sanctuaries. Certain sanctuaries focus on rehabilitation, others work to avoid conflict between primates and humans through research or education, and some prioritise the care of rescued primates, whether indigenous species or not. Learning that there is not necessarily a definitive solution to all of South Africa’s primate problems, I found myself inspired to create digital media that would aid each sanctuary in the way that they desired.
Although the project has come to an end I am sure that each of the volunteers has not only been left with a wealth of happy memories, new friends and enhanced technical skills but also a sense of empowerment. Witnessing the work I have completed and hearing the enthusiasm and inspiration that has extended to the volunteers of sanctuaries visited, can’t help but leave me with the confidence that I can effect change and have a positive impact upon the world. I would like to believe that there is a part of every human being that desires to be of benefit to the world. Bearing witness to the mass of negative media regarding the future of the environment and the ever-increasing figures of crime, it is easy to become disconnected from the belief that an individual can effect change. However my experience with the Great Primate Handshake has heightened my level of consciousness regarding media and its influence and as a part of that industry, I now feel newly inspired and empowered to share my confidence in the individual’s ability to aid.
There will always be those who wish to positively affect the world. I feel it is essential that time is given to educate and inspire as many as possible so that they gain confidence in their ability to actively conserve, through utilizing their individual skills.
Each life converges to some centre
Expressed or still,
Exists in every human nature
A goal,
Admitted scarcely to itself, it may be,
Too fair
For credibility’s temerity
To dare.
Adored with caution, as a brittle heaven,
Yet persevered towards,
Surer for the distance,
Ungained it may be, by a life’s low venture,
But then,
Eternity enables the endeavouring
Again.
- Emily Dickinson
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