By the way…I had not looked beyond Arabuko Sokoke along the Kenyan Coast
in terms of wildlife until I came to learn about Diani’s black and White
Colobus monkey who from now I will brand ‘My Uncle.’ I love Monkeys!
The Black and White Colobus is found across equatorial
Africa. There are five species, among which the color varies from all black to
a skunk-like black-and-white pattern. Black and white colobus monkeys weigh up
to 9 kg. They live in small social groups of about ten animals,
composed of one adult male plus females and their offspring.
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| The Black and White Colobus |
At the mention of Diani to a many, beautiful beaches and
five star hotels and resorts come into mind but rarely will this Angolan
Colobus uncle of mine strike your imagination. For your information, the Black
and White Colobus alias ‘my uncle’ is also known as the Angolan Colobus monkey
for reasons that I will not sink into at the moment.
‘My Uncle’ lives in Diani with his other close and distant
relatives like the baboons, bush babies, dik diks, vervets, elephant shrews,
squirrels, sykes, sunis among others ‘who did not wish to be named.’
In 1997, the Colobus Trust came into being. The rate of
development Diani has always experienced overwhelmed the trust. Again the
rising population in the area has left ‘my uncles’ threatened with some
succumbing to road accidents, destroyed habitats, electrocution among other
accidents and dangers. However, the Trust has always stood for the Angolan
Colobus monkey alias ‘my uncle’ as well as providing a safe haven for them.
Read More about the Colobus Trust here.
So, the next time you think or plan developing some
property-cum-cutting a tree of a sot anywhere in or near Diani, find it prudent
to mind about My Uncle’s welfare. Forgive my English is sometimes like monkey!
