Langurs head for Java in coup for Aspinall Foundation
A group of five langurs and a female gibbon are on their
way to their native Java – thanks to your fundraising efforts.
The Back to the Wild appeal, run by the Aspinall Foundation and
supported by the KM Group, reached its £10,000 target after
generous donations from readers following its launch in June.
The Aspinall Foundation’s Java Primate Project is preparing to
welcome the primates who began their journey today from the
Howletts and Port Lympne animal parks.
The primates are the first ever captive-born simians to be
released into the wild in order to boost indigenous populations,
decimated by deforestation and the illegal pet trade.
Head primate keeper Simon Jeffrey said: “This project has been
eight years in the making and has included everything from surveys
of the surrounding jungles, to ensure that they can sustain the
group, to enclosure design.
“It’s been amazing working with the dedicated team out here and
I can happily say that everything is in place for the
primates.”
Mr Jeffrey has been a key advisor and integral part of the
conservation charity’s latest project, along with Made Wedana, a
world-leading primate expert.
Accompanying the group on their 72-hour trip to their new home
will be keepers Jamie Robertson and Matt Ford, who will help settle
them into their new environment.
Matt said: “It’s a big move for the eight primates and will take
around 72 hours from loading up in Kent, clearing customs, flying
across three continents and travelling over bumpy tracks in Java to
the finish line at The Aspinall Foundation’s Java Primate
Project.”
31/01/13
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