Two new Colobus monkeys have arrived in Karura: not imports, but babies conceived in the forest since their parents were translocated from degraded habitats on the fringes of the Aberdares as part of the Colobus Reintroduction Project. The births are testimony that Karura is good Colobus habitat and that the re-introduction is working.

So far, there are 88 black-and-whites enjoying their new Karura home: 96 were originally trapped, 6 died from stress during the operation due to their poor condition, 4 died shortly after release from natural causes, and there have been two births. The monkeys have spread out from the holding cage and release point in the centre of the main forest (see Map), and some 14 groups are beginning to settle down in more-or-less predictable home ranges (grey areas on the map).  The mortalities, which have been amazingly low for an operation of this kind, are shown on the map as black numbers; the two births, as a *.

Karura Colobus home ranges: still in flux (click on map for larger view)

The project aims to establish 100 Colobus in the main forest. The capturing operations led by Peter Fundi, lead scientist from the Institute for Primate Research (IPR) were suspended during the recent rains that made tracks impassable. Operations will resume as soon as possible.

IPR and the National Primates Task Force reckon that a further thirty animals can be supported in patches of indigenous forest in the Sigiria side of the forest. A large portable cage is being designed as suitable release areas are dispersed and not accessible by vehicle. The new arrivals need to be kept in a holding cage for a couple of days to allow them to calm down from the trip and adjust to their new environment, so they do not panic, scatter in all directions and lose each other when released.  

Anthony Kuria

IPR Research Assistant, Anthony Kuria, diligently tracks the monkeys' movements daily, using donated binoculars and camera. Even though it's notoriously difficult to get accurate counts of arboreal primates in a forest habitat, Anthony is quite confident about the numbers in each central group (numbers in white on the map). The situation is still fluid, with animals joining and leaving groups, particularly adult males who may get edged out by larger rivals.

Group D, just one male and one female, has been seen intermittently in Gigiri gardens. Group F, just three individuals (a fourth fell out of a tree and broke its neck some months ago) probably accounts for sightings in some Wispers' gardens. Group N is shown in the old Muthaiga neighbourhood, but it is not really known where the seven individuals have ended up. Anthony has checked City Park thoroughly, so perhaps they have dispersed along the Mathare River. FKF and IPR would appreciate news of any sightings outside the forest boundaries.

Why would they move out of the forest at all? Probably a combination of several factors: lone males exploring new areas; the inherent species- and old-tree-richness of adjacent neighbourhoods; following the bad habits of troops of Sykes who just love visiting Karura's neighbours; and attractive special food sources in gardens, such as flowering Bombax trees.  

One oddity: along the family trail near Junction No 3, the black-and-whites enjoy hanging out in the large huge gum trees growing along the Gitathuru river, especially around midday. It's a strange site to see an iconic African primate loafing in the branches of an equally iconic Australian tree. But they don't eat Eucalyptus leaves: Anthony confirms that when it's time to feed they head for known food plants in indigenous patches of forest.

Male in gum tree near Junction 3

Colobus are not pesky bird-feeder and fruit-bowl thieves like Sykes: they are strictly leaf-eaters. Anthony's observations confirm that they favour Karura's indigenous trees: Albizia, Markhamia, Vepris, Olea, Shrebera, among others.  They also occasionally snack on the notoriously spicy Muthiga (Warburgia ugandensis), Croton bark, Ipomoea flowers, and even the colourful petiolate bracts that are usually thought of as bougainvillea flowers. All of these also occur in neighbourhood gardens, augmented by the tasty pink-and-white flowers of the exotic Bombax (Ceiba speciosa).

The re-introduction of this threatened sub-species of Colobus Monkeys (Colobus guereza kikuyuensis) began eighteen months ago. (See previous issues of the newsletter and Facebook pages for more info and images.) Apart from Anthony Kuria, there is also a University of Nairobi grad student, Nyawira Gitaka, and two BSc students from Chuka and Pwani Universities collecting daily data on movements, distribution and behaviour, underscoring the educational value of the project. Our heartfelt thanks to AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) for having made this beautiful project possible.

Colobus-spotting is yet another excellent reason to visit Karura Forest!

The Ivory Coast team echoed its big-brother Africa Cup of Nations win earlier this year by fielding the competition's top team that edged out the Biafra Free State team 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out.