Overview of the Project

The Colobus Monkey Project is about assisting the local community around The Kitobo Forest in the South East section of Kenya on the border with Tanzania , close to Tsavo-West National Park and within view of Mt Kilimanjaro. In this project, volunteers will be working with the local forest community to develop sustainable tourism that recognizes the needs and rights of local people to generate income from wildlife as well as the needs and rights of animals to have access to quality habitats under increased security.

Research Objectives

This project conserves Africa 's wildlife while giving opportunities for volunteers to work directly with the communities as well as offer support and help provide a means of sustainable income. The project's aim is:

.  To conserve the Colobus monkey and its environment by promoting the benefits of sustainable tourism.
.  To conserve and protect the Colobus monkey and its habitat in Kenya .
.  To inspire interest and participation in primate and environmental conservation.
.  To promote the welfare of primates and to reduce the impact of human development on the environment in Kenya .
.  To further understand the primate species and their conservation.
.  To be able to respond and deliver a high quality primate rescue and rehabilitation service; and
.  To be a considerate employer through training and fair wage structure, to be self-funding, producing high quality valuable work and to be transparent.

Project/Volunteers' Life

Volunteers' tasks will be to track and record the number and location of the different Colobus monkey groups' resident in the forest. Here eco-volunteers will participate in:

.  Data collection together with community forest scouts.
.  They will track and record number and location of the different Colobus monkey groups resident in the forest.
.  Most of their work will be done on foot.

Volunteers will also be encouraged to look for and participate in community development projects surrounding the forest reserve, such as building and working in schools and medical clinics etc. The volunteers will stay at the Community campsite tents within the forest. There is spring water and an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables daily which are grown by the local people in the area.

Benefit to volunteers

The Colobus Monkey project is in great need of volunteer assistance. By volunteering on this project, you will gain a fantastic experience of African wildlife, with the knowledge that you are giving back to the environment. This project is a really rewarding volunteer experience, which is why it is such a popular project. In this project, you will learn field study techniques, interact with local communities, as well as gain knowledge on wildlife -especially Colobus Monkeys.