Exciting Things on the Horizon

Hi, Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been quite busy.

I haven't been able to visit the chimpanzees at Monarto Zoo much as I've been conserving money where possible, I got a lovely new dog a few months ago and she takes up quite a bit of time and money- well worth it of course.

Here's a picture of Sandali and Gombe from my last zoo visit:



Just a couple of weeks ago I got a new job, which means I will be able to save up enough to go to Chimp Eden in South Africa next year! You may have heard about the sanctuary, run by Jane Goodall Institute South Africa, as they had a television series a couple of years back called 'Escape to Chimp Eden'.
 I will be staying there for two weeks doing a Chimpanzee Sanctuary training course, which is going to be so interesting, as I hope to work at a sanctuary one day. You can follow this link to find out more about Chimp Eden and the great work that they do: http://www.chimpeden.com/

Something else that I'm thinking about doing is an online charity auction to benefit Save the Chimps, they are in the process of raising funds for a facility to cater for their special needs chimpanzees, and I think a charity auction would be a fun way to help out. I'm hoping to do it on a great ape forum that I have created, but I don't want to get started until there's more members using the site, there's not much point having an auction if no one's around to have a look and bid! Here's the link to the forum:
http://greatapes.proboards.com/index.cgi
I believe you have to be over 13 to join, but you may have a parent or guardian sign up for you if you are under that age and would like to chat with other ape lovers and help get the auction happening.
 In my last post I talked about some artwork I was doing, I'm hoping to be able to sell some at the online auction if it works out all right. The cage sit didn't end up happening, life just got in the way! I'm thinking the charity auction will be a better way for me to raise money because it won't get in the way of work/uni/looking after my dog etc.
 Let me know if you have idea for things you'd like to donate for the auction, they don't have to be chimp related! You can send me a message on the forum (link above).

Here's a few more photos of the chimpanzees at Monarto Zoo:

Tsotsi


Galatea


Sandali and Boyd during a dispute


Zombi

Fundraiser for Save the Chimps

WIP , a photo by pangorillapongo on Flickr.

I'm preparing for my first cage-sit early next month to raise money for Save the Chimps. My goal is to eventually raise $1300- that's enough to feed one ex-lab chimp for a whole year! In the cage-sit, I will spend 24 hours in a space the size of the smallest legal laboratory chimpanzee cage. It's a great way of highlighting what these chimps go through.

Olivia Helman and Aubrey M. Curl have successfully held two cage-sits. Check out their blog to read all about it! http://www.change4chimps.blogspot.com/

I'm planning to sell artwork on the day of the cage-sit as well, that's what the half-completed chimp painting up the top is for. I will probably be selling it on ebay (with at least one other piece). I will keep you posted!

A gorilla-themed post...

... because I love gorillas!

Mahale, a young gorilla who lives at Taronga Zoo

I am planning a fundraiser for Ape Action Africa at the moment, I'm still not sure exactly what it will involve- hopefully it will be something fun and interesting! Ape Action Africa do such amazing work caring for orphaned primates in Cameroon who have suffered as a result of the illegal bushmeat trade.
 If you have fundraising ideas or suggestions, please comment!

Some fun ways to help gorillas:

1.Adopt an orphaned gorilla in Cameroon. Four of AAA's gorillas are available for 'adoption'. It is very rewarding to learn about your 'adopted' gorilla and know that you are helping him/her and others like them. Personally, I've 'adopted' a beautiful little girl named Nona and have her photo proudly on my wall! :)
 Find out more: http://www.apeactionafrica.org/adopt-an-ape

2. Recycle your mobile phone. Coltan mining in the Congo is causing encroachment onto gorilla habitat, by recycling your unused mobile phones you are helping to decrease the damand for coltan.


Fataki (Taronga Zoo)


Frala (Taronga Zoo)

On a non-gorilla matter, I have paid the money from my donation box onto my fundraising page for Save the Chimps and the total currently stands at $245!!! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, it is hugely appreciated!!! :D
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/amy-atherton-1/freedomforlabchimps

Finally another blog entry!

 Mr Sandali!

Hello!
I've been a bit quiet recently, unfortunately I haven't been able to visit the chimpanzees at Monarto Zoo since March as I've been saving money for something very important to me. I might be going sometime next month though, I really hope so!
 This photo is from my most recent visit to Monarto Zoo. Most of the chimps stayed hidden for almost all of the two hours I was there, but Zwala and Sandali were busy splashing about and foraging in the clam shell pool. It was lovely to watch them.


 I'm very excited to see how much Adelaide Zoo's orang boy, Kluet has grown. His cheeks are really coming in and he's looking MASSIVE!

Kluet

 Fundraising for Save the Chimps has been a bit slow recently as well, but I have quite a bit in the donation box at the moment which I'll be donating online soon. Please keep the donations coming!

New Years Day- Chimp Style

Zwala

On the 1st of January I went with my mum to Monarto Zoo and as usual I spent most of the time watching the chimpanzees. A feeding toy had been put out in the enclosure and it was very popular with the chimps, especially the boys and little Zwala. When it started to rain, most of the chimps ran indoors but Zwala stuck it out and continued going trying to get food out.


Zwala and the boys

I also brought a bag of New Years presents for all the chimps. I gave them some blankets, a large sheet, magazines with peanut butter and seeds hidden inside and a few other things.


I'm still raising money to sponsor Roady's migration to sanctuary in Florida. Please donate, it would make a huge difference for a chimpanzee who has suffered so much for our benefit. Any donation, however small or large, will be greatly appreciated. http://www.firstgiving.com/freedomforlabchimps


Zombi