East Africa

Duikers are small forest antelope often overlooked by conservation and research projects despite being hunted for bushmeat and afflicted by habitat loss throughout Africa. The most endangered species are found in Kenya and Tanzania but their distribution and habitat needs are very poorly known. Paignton Zoo and our partners have undertaken surveys and carried out research on the critically endangered Aders’ duiker in Kenya and the important forest antelope species of the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania including the endangered Abbott’s duiker. Much of this important work relies on technology to overcome the difficulty in finding such rare species. We have used automatic cameras to photograph duikers in remote locations and forensic DNA methods to identify species from dung. These methods are costly and your support will help us gain critical information for the conservation of these highly threatened antelope.

Annual project cost: £15,000

Nigeria

The Omo Forest Reserve is of great conservation value protecting highly endangered wildlife such as forest elephants, chimpanzees and white-throated guenon monkeys. However, it lacks the strict protection of a national park and many people live in and around the forest. Paignton Zoo began supporting conservation in Nigeria in 1993 and funds the environmental education programme within the Omo Forest. Many people are unaware of the wildlife living nearby and of the laws relating to hunting animals and clearing land. Working with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, our environmental educators visit the primary schools within the area and teach the children about the importance of the forest and environmental issues. Since 2005, they have also run a popular conservation club so that older children and adults can stay involved with the programme. Your support will help pay for essential teaching costs and resources to support the activities of the conservation club.

Annual project cost: £10,000

Sulawesi
Sulawesi crested black macaques are an endangered monkey found only at the northern end of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Extensively hunted for the bushmeat and pet trades, this species has also lost most of its rainforest habitat to logging and clearance for agriculture. Paignton Zoo has successfully bred macaques for many years and coordinates the breeding programme for this species in European zoos. More recently, we have undertaken surveys and research for wild macaques on Sulawesi and seen first-hand the number of traps that litter the remaining forests and the poor health of macaques kept as pets. Your support will help us continue to manage the captive population and expand our work with macaques in the wild.

Annual project cost: £10,000.

Please click here to see other conservation projects we are involved with worldwide.