The last 1500
red colobus in Zanzibar, of which 500 live in JOZANI-CHWAKA bay
The red colobus monkeys of Zanzibar
are very different from the other colobus
monkeys in Africa as much for their patterned coat as their feeding habits.
The red colobus is a monkey
with a black face, surrounded by a crown of long
white hair. From the age of 6 months,
the back of their head and back become red.
All photos are by André Brunsperger
unless otherwise indicated
(c) all rights reserved
These monkeys live in groups
of thirty to fifty individuals, including a large number of
females and very few males. They feed on the young leaves of green fruit and
seeds.
Red colobus monkeys do not eat
ripe fruit as they are unable to digest glucose.
The red colobus monkeys of Zanzibar
feed above all on the black plum tree, some wild fig trees
and the black mahogany, as well as the
Indian almond tree, coconut palm and mango tree.
Although protected, red colobus
monkeys are threatened with extinction.
Their survival solely depends on the protection of their natural habitat
(they have never been successfully reared in captivity and they have a very
low reproduction rate)
This natural habitat is being
further and further destroyed to meet people's land, wood and coal requirements.
The Jozani-Chwaka bay conservation
project is a partnership between Tanzania and the Austrian government
How
can I see these animals?
The island of Zanzibar, generally
known as the Spice Island, (85 x 38km) has been part of Tanzania
since unification on 26 April 1964 between Tanganyika and Zanzibar and gave
birth to a new country Tan Zan ia (Tan from Tanganyika and Zan from Zanzibar)
= Tanzania.
To get to Zanzibar, visit the
island, the spice plantations, see the famous Red Colobus
Monkeys or swim with dolphins, you can call Salim Abdullah from the agency
Sama Tours
in Zanzibar P.O.Box 2276 telephone 255 24 2233543 Fax 255 24 2233020
email: samatours@zitec.org Web site
http://www.samatours.com
Take a flight to Dar Es Salaam,
joint capital shared with Dodoma, then cross the
sound on a fast ferry, preferably "Sea Star Services Limited", who do the
crossing in less than 2 hours for $30. Next,
This very comfortable hotel
costs $45 for a double room per night and is located on
Baghani street Shangani (take a taxi) in Stone Town (the old town). If you
like fish
pasta or pizzas, go and see Emilio at "Amore mio" restaurant by the beach
in Stone Town in the Italian quarter. He will give you a warm welcome
and delicious food. http://www.amoremio-zanzibar.it
Salim will take you into Jozani
forest, as well as to the mangrove swamp
for $25 for the day (with a meal at a local resident's house included)
It
is still possible to see 500-1500 of the last Red Colobus
Monkeys of Zanzibar in Jozani forest!
These photos are protected by copyright. The
author allows nevertheless to copy them
for a prived usage only, without any purpose or commercial link.
For another usage do not hesitate to ask the author.
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