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Primate Behavior Research:
I loved watching the monkeys interact with each other and observing how they behaved with other monkeys of the same and different species. As a primate myself, it was fascinating to see how similarly they often behave to humans. They tease each other, cuddle, and protect each other like humans do. Taking a sunshine break at Colobus Conservation one day, we observed a Sykes monkey who sat on a tree branch less than three meters away from our heads who watched us and seemed to want our attention, almost playing a game of peek-a-boo. Their actions seemed to offer insight into our psychology as we are such closely related species. One day at Diani Reef, I observed what Henry from Colobus referred to as “the war.” A troupe of Sykes and a troupe of Vervets came to occupy the same stretch of grassy area. Both slowly and steadily approached the other, waiting for the other to make the first move. It was almost like watching a round of capture the flag, where both teams stay on their own side, ready to guard it at any moment if an opponent crosses the threshold. We could feel the tension rising as both troupes of about 15-20 monkeys stared at each other. Then, all of a sudden, the air filled with monkey calls and the Sykes troupe retreated, as they all deserted the area together. The adult males led the way as the mothers carried the infants and the juveniles stuck together in the middle of the pack. Primates truly are social animals, and it was interesting to observe the monkeys’ inherent sense of in-group and out-group.
As an aspiring pediatrician, I especially loved watching the mothers and babies interact. It was so beautiful to see how the mother-child bond is so essential to nature, and such an innate relationship. The protective mothers would often run while their babies clung to their stomachs, or you would see a mother monkey jump from branch to branch closely followed by their little one. Colobus Conservation has one rehab station with only babies, and watching them play with each other filled my heart with joy.
Observing a School Visit to Colobus Conservation:
I was one of the group members lucky enough to observe Simon from Colobus Conservation teaching a school group. When the students first sat down, they each received a quiz on Colobus and their work asking questions like: “what is an environment,” “what is a Colobus,” and “how can we protect the monkeys here in Diani.” Many of the students initially struggled to answer these questions in English, but as the lesson progressed, they learned about the importance of monkeys in the local environment and how interconnected nature and humans are. Quizzing students on challenging material before launching into lecture helped increase their curiosity and capture their attention.
After Simon’s lecture, we went outside to play some games to let them apply their new knowledge. Professor Chapman created a game called “deforestation. Similar to freeze dance, where students would walk around as we all sang “Jambo Bwana.” When the song ended, they would have to grab onto a teacher who symbolized a tree while they symbolized the monkeys. During each round, some teachers would step away to symbolize the environment losing trees to deforestation. Each “tree” could only host ten “monkeys,” so each round some students would be out when they could not find a tree to rest in when the song ended. The lesson the students learned was that a population of monkeys will dwindle as trees are cut down. After the first round, I stood as a tree, hoping students would come to me. None did. I was probably the first “mzunga” or white person they had ever talked to. I knew that I probably appeared frightening as my skin looks so different from everyone else they know. After the second round, one girl ran up to me and hugged me tightly, latching onto her “tree” for the night. A few other girls followed suit. Physiologically, the hug released oxytocin in my body. Emotionally, my heart swelled as I felt accepted by the school girls.
The Beauty of Diani:
The stars were brighter. The sea bluer. The mangoes were a shade of orange I had never seen. Bright tuk tuks painted yellow and red raced down the road, weaving in and out of traffic. The sun set on the sea casting shades of pink and purple into the sky. The morning sun streamed into my room, outlining my mosquito net in a soft glow. Vendors on the side of the road sold fabrics and clothes of every color, each pattern prettier than the one before. I am so grateful to have traveled so far to see the beauty of Diani.
The only thing perhaps more remarkable than the breathtaking landscape of Diani was the kindness with which the locals offered us. We were fortunate enough to have a chef in the house, Ken, and a kind woman who ran the household, Millie. Every day as we came home they greeted us with warm smiles and wanted to hear how we were liking Diani. As we walked the five minute route to the grocery store, everyone we passed went out of their way to say hello, many of them calling us brother and sister. As we rode on tuk tuks our drivers curiously asked where we were from and what we were doing. As a white American, I was nervous people would assume I was rude or would not want to talk to me. Instead, I was greeted with hospitality and warmth and people who wanted to know how my day was, and tell me about theirs.
Maybe we should all behave more like animals...
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