The October-December quarter has been a busy one.
I am pleased to announce that WAPCA will be the Primate Society of Great Britain’s Conservation Cause of 2017, we have guaranteed support from Tulsa Zoo again and received a generous donation from the Friends of Paradise Wildlife Park. As well as this, WAPCA has secured funds from the profits of the ZSL Roar with Laughter Comedy Night, which took place in November.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to welcome a new member – Africa Alive, and thank them for their support
For next year we have a long list of grant proposals to write and we are hopeful that with more support WAPCA can extend its impact in the field while constantly improving the Endangered Primate Breeding Centre facilities. Please visit our website if you would like to donate, or if you are in Accra look out for our money boxes at Robi's Bar, Wild Gecko, Colours in Africa, a yoga studio in Dzorwulu and Suntrade Beads.
Also this quarter I am pleased to inform you that the development of the forested enclosure for a group of our white-naped mangabeys is underway in Kumasi Zoo. Work has begun on measuring and marking the perimeter, gathering the supplies and sourcing a workforce. Construction will begin at the end of December with completion due one month later. The new enclosure will be a 0.4ha area, allowing the primates to exude their natural behaviours in a large forested environment. We are very excited for the enclosure to be ready and have started training the group of white-naped mangabeys to get them ready for transport. I'd like to express my sincere thanks to Elizabeth Loudon and Guy Gater who have donated their construction expertise and time to make this project happen.
Further construction will be seen at Accra Zoo, at the Endangered Primate Breeding Centre. With kind donations from Landau Zoo and Africa Alive we will refurbish the existing enclosures which will include enlarging one both in ground area and in height. This is in anticipation of two females joining us from Europe, more on this in 2017....
WAPCA has also begun the Against Primates As Pets Campaign, which aims to ensure that people are legally holding primates, are aware of the laws and regulations associated with keeping pet primates and hold the animals under acceptable animal husbandry conditions. Furthermore, we hope to understand more about the motivation behind holding and selling primates throughout Ghana so that we can tackle the root causes of the primate pet trade. WAPCA will work closely with the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana to expand coverage of the campaign across the country.
Other than keeping busy with the above projects, WAPCA was also present at a few events, most notably the West African Rufford Small Grants Conference in Accra. It is always good to spread the word about WAPCA and hopefully gain some more support.
Lastly the end of the year sees us say farewell to our intern Lisa Kopisker. I would like to take the opportunity to thank her for all her hard work and dedication and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
So overall a busy few months but we not complaining and hope that WAPCA’s good work only continues to grow and foster.
Bye for now,
Andrea