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THE DARWIN PROJECT For the past few years, Karin Saks has cared
for orphaned baby baboons. Karin is one of the very few people who have
succesfully rehabilitated orphaned young baboons back into troops in the
wilds.
Currently Karin wishes to develop a Baboon Sanctuary, specifically for
baboons who have been tainted by human intervention and cannot be fully
rehabilitated into the wild. Darwin is a juvenile male baboon who was
permanently crippled when his mother's body landed on him when he was
an infant. She had been shot. Although Darwin is partially paralysed ,
he is able to run faster than any human, climb trees, and wrestle with
other juveniles . However, he is unable to keep up with a wild troop and
is therefore not a good rehabilitation candidate. Karin spent the few
few years of Darwin's life caring for him and other baboon orphans.
Her present project aims to raise funds to establish a sanctuary for
Darwin and other baboons in a similar predicament. This would give these
baboons a life-time quality of life. Sadly in South Africa, baboons are
frequently shot for sport, and as so-called "vermin." (All of Karin's
orphans mothers were shot as "pests." ) Although the Chacma baboon presently
falls under appendix 2 of C.I.T.E.S (Convention for International Trade
In Endangered Species) and are therefore considered to be an endangered
species , they continue to be shot, poisoned, and trapped by farmers,
and others . Often they are caught for research laboratories where they
undergo extreme torture. As a result of being vastly misunderstood and
oppressed , hundreds of baboons are orphaned or maimed by humans. It has
been established that a sanctuary for these baboons is urgently needed.
If you wish to know more about the DARWIN Project, please email Karin
at:
imfene@xnets.co.za
or
write to her at: P.O.BOX 203 , THE CRAGS, 6602, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA.
A project affiliated to W.A.G(WILDLIFE ACTION
GROUP)
Every year , thousands of baby baboons are orphaned
as farmers continue to shoot their mothers in an on
going war with the Chacma baboon who shares our
territory. Some of these orphans have been
successfully rehabilitated back into the wild by
concerned rehabilitators while others wait while a viable
environment free from enemies such as humans and
predators have to be found. Those who have
unfortunately been permanently tainted by human
intervention yet are capable of leading a full qualitative
life face an insecure future . For these exceptions , a
natural habitat sanctuary has been recognised as being
the best solution . .
This project was born due to an inspiring crippled
baboon named Darwin....a monkey who wordlessly
etched the plight of the baboon into the hearts and
minds of 3 women - Liesel Mortimer of THE WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP, Fransje
van
Riel - who has written a book about Darwin and his species - and Karin
Saks
who raised him .
He stands as a symbol and
messenger for his species , conveying a situation that
seriously affects human and non-human primates alike.
Darwin is a juvenile male baboon who was permanently
crippled when his mother's body landed on him when he
was an infant . She had been shot . Although Darwin is
partially paralysed , he is able to run faster than any
human , climb trees and wrestle with other juveniles .
However , he is unable to keep up with a wild troop and
is therefore not a good rehabilitation candidate. This
present project aims to raise funds to establish a
sanctuary for Darwin and other baboons in a similar
predicament. This would give these baboons a life-time
quality of life.
BACKGROUND:
In South Africa, Baboons are frequently shot for sport,
and as so-called "vermin." (All of the orphans - raised by Karin
- once
had
mothers who were shot as "pests." )
Although the Chacma
baboon presently falls under appendix 2 of C.I.T.E.S
(Convention for International Trade In Endangered
Species) and is therefore considered to be an
endangered species , they continue to be shot ,
poisoned and trapped by farmers, and others .They are
also trapped for research laboraories - where they
endure extreme torture -and for the use of muti , by
sangomas. As a result of being vastly misunderstood
and oppressed , hundreds of baboons are orphaned or
maimed by humans.
Not too long ago the Cape Wild Dog was similarly
classified as 'vermin' and then too we wrongly believed
there were far more of the canines that existed. Today
the Wild Dog is an endangered species. The baboon will
certainly suffer the same fate if we don't act quickly toreverse their
situation.
A sanctuary will provide an eduction opportunity where
visitors can observe baboons closely , gaining access to
another world which has for many of us, led to a better
understanding , respect and reverence for other
primates.
W.A.G: WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP:
WAG is a non+profit organisation whose main concern
is the welfare of wild animals.
ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE ADDRESSED
TO LIESEL MORTIMER AT < waginfo@mweb.co.za>
OBJECTIVES:
1. To provide a sanctuary for baboons who have been
irreversibly maimed by human intervention , yet are
capable of leading full , qualitative lives . This will offer
them a life of relative freedom , protection and an
environment which offers a full social life and attends to
their dietary and medical needs.
1a. To raise ongong funding for baboons permanently
maimed by human intervention , saved from research
laboratories and others who cannot be fully released
back ino the wild.
2. To create awareness and education about the plight
of baboons.
3. To provide an ongoing opportunity to observe these
animals who have provided humans with insight not only
into other primates but into our own species too.
- To seek out methods for humans and baboons to
share their territory in more harmonious ways.
- To educate people about alternative , non-violent
methods to deal with raiding baboons.
4. To continue fighting for legislation that will change the
status of baboons and offer protection and eventually
change people's inaccurate notions of baboons. Until
they have the reverence and respect that they as a
species deserve.
OPPORTUNITIES AND GOALS:
-EDUCATION AND ECO-TOURISM
BENEFIT TO DONORS:
-ADVERTISING
-IMAGE BUILDING THROUGH ASSOCIATION WITH
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
-ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Everything we possess has been taken from he earth
with the consequences being a moral obligation to give
back to that fromwhich we have taken as well as finding
a solution to the escalating damage we have caused
ourselves and other inhabitants of the earth .
''WILL YOU TEACH YOUR CHILDREN
WHAT WE HAVE TAUGHT OUR CHILDREN?
THAT THE EARTH IS OUR MOTHER?
WHAT BEFALLS THE EARTH , BEFALLS THE SONS
OF THE EARTH .''
CHIEF SEATTLE
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