Washington, D.C. — A baby monkey has been given a new life thanks to conservation hero Cosmas Mumba, who was recently recognized by HRH The Duke of Cambridge at the prestigious TUSK Conservation Awards in London.[teaserbreak]
Myk, the little vervet monkey, was just two weeks old when he was confiscated from a roadside in Zambia. Tiny, orphaned, and terrified, Myk was saved from a life of misery as an exotic pet by Cosmas Mumba of the GRI-Zambia Primate Project (ZPP), backed by the Born Free Foundation.
Now, after an epic journey across the country, including first class treatment alongside passengers on board a commercial flight coutesy of Proflight Zambia, he’s set for reintroduction to the wild and has even been welcomed by a new family in time for Christmas.
Cosmas explained: “Myk had a heart-breaking start to life. His mother had been killed for ‘bushmeat,’ and he was severely traumatized and alone when he was found being sold illegally as a ‘pet’ on the side of the road.”
“Initially, as he was so tiny and so traumatized, Myk clung to me and needed round-the-clock care, including bottle feeding every two hours. The day after his rescue, we flew him to the Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust, which is located in the South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia. And, during the flight, he remained with me the whole time, resting calmly on my chest like a baby! It must have been quite a sight for the other travelers!”
Myk is now being weaned by Anna Tolan at Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust, which is also supported by international wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation. He is settling in well and has been ‘adopted’ by a fellow rescued vervet named Holly, who adores the newest addition to the family. Although young herself, she cradles tiny Myk to her chest, offering him the love and reassurance of a real mother.
When fully weaned, Myk will be released back to the wild with the rest of his adoptive family as part of ZPP’s annual release program—and his future looks bright!
The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. The Foundation rescues animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and gives them lifetime care. Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles, and many more species in their natural habitats, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. The Foundation’s high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers, and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. More at www.bornfree.org.uk.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com