An Orphan's Life is not Easy
Posted at 8:03 am April 8, 2006 by Bethan MorganI returned to my work in Cameroon on Thursday after speaking at the State of Endangered Species event at CRES, where I talked about my work in Cameroon, particularly concerning the bushmeat trade and its effects on the endangered primates here.
At the event I was happy to hear that people were following the story of Soso, the young drill that I rescued from a roadside trader in late 2004, and his adventures with new-found friends at the Limbe Wildlife Center (LWC), a sanctuary for orphans of the bushmeat trade here in Cameroon. (Read Bethan's previous blog about Soso.)
Soso has spent the time since his rescue with two other orphaned drills: Tyson, a slightly older male, and Euymujock, a smaller female drill. Orphans cannot be released into the main drill enclosure at the LWC without many months of relationship development, both with their age mates and also with the larger drills through the security of an iron grille. In the wild, all these orphans would have a mother and family members to protect them from the rough-and-tumble of growing up, but in sanctuaries they have to fend for themselves and look after each other.
Two weeks ago, in the few days before I left Cameroon for San Diego, I was happy to see Soso, Tyson, and Eymujock being released into the main group, first in the daytime only, then, when I was in California, they even spent the night with the large drill group of over 35 drills. However, despite all the preparation and some very positive initial days with the group, sometime on Wednesday Soso was bitten by another drill and his eyelid was half ripped off.
Poor Soso! He was immediately taken from the group and looked very sorry for himself. Felix Lankester, the veterinarian and manager of the LWC, waited for the inflammation to subside and then "glued' the center of the eyelid back on yesterday. This photograph was taken a few hours after the operation, and today I have heard from Felix that Soso is doing well and should make a complete recovery (there was a danger that if the eyelid could not be repaired Soso would eventually lose the use of his eye). Soso's integration into the group will resume as soon as his eye has healed.
This story serves to remind us that while sanctuaries fulfill a vital role in the rehabilitation of orphans of the bushmeat trade, these animals still face an uphill struggle to lead safe and fulfilling lives.
Dr. Bethan Morgan is a Conservation Research Fellow with the San Diego Zoo's CRES.
Here's more information about Bethan's work in Cameroon.
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April 10th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Thank you for the update. I live in Los Angeles & it's just a little too far away to attend exciting events such as the CRES event on the weekdays. Habitat loss and the killing of fellow animals is a serious issue for so many species! Thank you for making such an effort on behalf of the animals who need it so much. You & Soso take care!
April 11th, 2006 at 7:12 am
This is very scary about Soso. I am glad that he received immediate and effective care. Of course, in the wild, he would just have to deal with it by himself, as I am sure many little orphans have had to do. If I had the responsibility for re-introducing Soso to the group, I would be extremely nervous; but I suppose it is all a part of the necessary socialization process for this young drill. I am hoping for the best for him.
April 11th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
It is so inspiring to read articles about any animal being reintroduced into their own community, it is a shame that it was not as many would have hoped, but hopefully in the future Soso will have better relations with his peers & become an intricate part of his " new" drill community.