We had planned to collect the Capuchins today, but the enclosure is not ready.The new date for collection is 11th March 2011.The roof of our new Capuchin enclosure is going on today, so hopefully we will have plenty of time to complete it before next Friday.Baby Chino (Capuchin) spent some time with volunteer Scott up one of the trees in the new enclosure and tested out some of the branches.
Other news is that Gerry (Marmoset) came home yesterday.He had been in the animal hospital undergoing tests for almost a week.He is being treated for an ulcer and will be taking medication for the rest of his life.
Poor little Tommy (Marmoset) also visited the vet and had to have two toes amputated after a fight with Joshua.He is doing well though.
The capuchin enclosure
2011-02-23
Sonko (Marmoset) went back to the vet who said that she thought the swollen testicle had gone down a little.We were relieved that he did not need to be castrated, especially since he has already had a vasectomy.We still need to keep an eye on things but the vet was happy with his progress and will not need to see him again unless his condition gets worse.
Poppy (dog) had some teeth out (ouch !!!) but will probably be a lot more comfortable once she has fully recovered.
The volunteers are working very hard to complete the new capuchin enclosure so that we can collect the two new arrivals (two adult capuchins).They will be foster parents for Chino, the baby capuchin we are currently hand rearing.We are building the enclosure in two sections with an introduction area for baby Chino so that he can slowly get acquainted with his new mom and dad and we can be sure that they will accept him before he joins them permanently.
Sonko
2011-02-16
Poor old Sonko had to go back to the vet again today with the same embarrassing problem of a swollen testicle.At first the vet was going to castrate him, but then decided against it and decided to put him back on a course of antibiotics.
Today, we tried to find a friend for single Maverick.We put his small cage beside five or six other monkeys to see if they would get on, but no luck and Maverick was returned to his enclosure.We were really hoping that we could find a friend for him
The poles for the Capuchin enclosure were delivered and our young, strong volunteers continued work for our new arrivals.
Still no water !!!!
2011-02-03
The sanctuary faced yet another day without water.The borehole repairs man arrived to sort the problem out but could not get it working.The borehole keeps turning itself on and off.Eventually it was decided to try and fill our tank and there was slight relief as we actually got water out of the taps.We filled up as many containers as we could and some were lucky enough to take a shower but it was not long before we were out of water again.In the meantime, we are dependant on the kindness of neighbours for all our water supply.We are really hoping that it can be repaired tomorrow.
The good news is that the volunteers started on the new capuchin enclosure and made very good progress.All the holes are dug and we hope to start dropping the poles tomorrow.
Despite the water crisis, volunteers got stuck in and have been very supportive.
Baby Chino (Capuchin) arrives at the sanctuary
2011-01-07
Seven week old Chino (Capuchin)
On the 4th February, we received a call from a distraught owner of a seven week old Capuchin.She said that she had purchased the baby four days ago and now realized that she had made a mistake.It was agreed that we would take him.Within hours, we were traveling to Polokwane to collect the baby.Since it was a six hour round trip, we arrived back late at night with adorable little Chino.He was understandably confused and bewildered on his first night with us.Volunteers are taking it in turns to care for him during the night because he is still on two hourly feeds.Later this year, we will be receiving more Capuchins and will introduce him when he is old enough.
A friend for Fossy
2010-12-30
Johnny (Marmoset) was moved into an intro cage beside Fossy (Marmoset) following the death of his companion Teddy (Marmoset). We are hoping that the two of them will become friends and can live happily together. So far, it looks good. If all goes well, we will open the trap door between the enclosures within a couple of days so that they can have direct contact.
Stav (Macaque) was reunited with his friends, David, Solomon and Johanthan after having to live in an adjoining enclosure because they were all picking away at his wound.
We finally bought Pixie (dog) home after she was stitched up and have completed and separate area for her so that she can be safe from Casia who attacked her on Christmas day. We had to make a hole through the wall to Sarah's bedroom so that she can have access to the outdoors.
Much to our releif, Lulu looks better after treatment and is acting like a puppy again.
We say goodbye to Twiggi
2010-12-21
It was with great sadness that we said goodbye to fourteen year old Twiggi (Common Marmoset).She died peacefully in her enclosure.Over the past months, she had become almost blind and deaf and required additional care. Twiggi had been at the sanctuary for a number of years.She leaves behind her mate Mukka, and foster daughter Suri, who fortunately, are very close.Foster son Nigel, who was only three years old, died a few days before after he ingested something sharp which punctured his gut.It has been such a sad time for Mukka and Suri.They are being monitored closely and seem to be doing ok.
Twiggi and Nigel will be buried together in our memorial forest, under a plum tree.
On a brighter note, Fossy (Common Marmoset) is doing much better on his gluten free diet.
Three year old Nigel dies
2010-12-19
Three year old Nigel (Common Marmoset) was found dead in his sleeping box this morning.It was a very sad moment for the volunteers who pulled his little body from the box.Late this afternoon, we took his body in for an autopsy.The results revealed that a foreign body (perhaps a piece of twig or something) had punctured his gut.Nigel was a beautiful, always healthy little monkey who arrived at the sanctuary as a baby three years ago.It is very sad to lose them when they are so young.
Volunteers were also watching very elderly Twiggi (Common Marmoset) closely today after noticing that she was bleeding heavily from her vagina.It may have been just part of her female cycle so she was given a pain killer and monitored.By lunch time, she had dried up, much to our relief.
Fossy (elderly Common Marmoset), was taken in to the vet today as he was also not looking well and then started vomiting.The vet examined him and said that he should be put on a gluten free diet. He was given medication and we are hopeful that he will recover.
Volunteer will be getting an early night after a very stressful day.
Should we build an Ark ??
2010-12-15
Nothing much to report. It has been raining off and on for days. The poor monkeys have been huddled together under their heater lamps.
Roofy, our naughty cat has taken to sleeping on my computer key board and now l battle to get the "u" to work.
The rain has delayed the outdoor area of the Macaque enclosure, so the boys are looking quite bored - we were hoping to have it finished by now.
The good news is that according to the weather report, it will clear up on Friday - hope so.
Zet & Flash arrive at the sanctuary
2010-12-10
We got off to an early start to go and collect Flash and Zet. Naturally, the bakkie that we were to borrow was not there on time, so we arrived late anyway. We arrived back with Zet and Flash at lunch time (it was a two hour trip each way) and started putting their toys up in their new enclosure adjoining that of Lilly, Dude and Suki. Flash started back chatting them right away, but the poor little guy was very stressed and we hope that he wil be friendlier when he settles down a bit. Lilly was terribly excited at the prospect of some play mates her age and was darting back and forth along the wire trying to get them to play with her. She was still there long after her foster parents Dude and Suki had gone off to bed. Unfortunately, the newcomers were not in the mood to play.
This morning, the vet came back to see Stav but said that he was going to leave his wound rather than stress him out again to stitch it up. Stav has to be separated from the others while his wound heals though as Solomon keeps picking at it.
Belba, who had two teeth removed yesterday is doing well and taking her antiboitic like a good little girl.
After another busy day, l was not amused when the monkeys heating was not working again. One of the labourers tried to fix it, but we may need to call in a professional. Poor Honey will be very dispointed tomorrow when her heater is not on first thing in the morning.
An apple tree for Zettie
2010-12-09
Today l went out and bought Zettie a beautiful apple tree. We are making a memorial forest for the monkeys who have passed on by planting a fruit tree over their bodies. That way, they wil live on through their trees.
We took Belba (Common Marmoset) to the vet. She had to have two teeth out, poor little thing. Belba arrived at the sanctuary on the 11th September 2010. She is tiny because she in inbred - very cute. She is on antiboitics and a pain killer and will feel a lot more comfortable without the painful absess which keeps popping up.
Solomon has taken most of Stav's (Macaques) stitches out. We are waiting for the vet to come and have a look and decide whether he needs to be stitched up again. We are all hoping that he does not have to go through all that again, poor Stav is a nervous wreck and will not even take treats from us.
