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| Kenya’s Forest Monkeys |
| Track monkeys in coastal Kenya's forests to see how the stress of human encroachment affects them. |
     
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On The Expedition Amidst the ancient Arab Gedi ruins, you will follow Sykes monkeys as they go about their daily business of feeding, resting, and socializing. After a quick lesson in identifying monkeys and recognizing their behaviors, you will venture off into the forest with binoculars and data sheets to follow individual females and carefully record their activities. You will be doing a lot of walking among beautiful dry tropical forest with some impressive baobab trees. An extended trail system will allow you to follow the monkeys more easily, although a good amount of bushwhacking will be necessary to keep up with their movements. Options for your recreational time include an overnight visit to Tsavo East National Park (home to elephants and lions), birdwatching at nearby Mida Creek, or snorkeling the beautiful Indian Ocean coral reefs. Meals and Accommodations The Mwamba Bird Observatory and Field Study Center is operated by A Rocha Kenya, a Christian community conservation organization, and is right on the beach near Watamu Marine National Park. Volunteers will share rooms and bathrooms, some of which have a limited supply of solar-heated water. For lunch and dinner, A Rocha staff members will prepare largely vegetarian Swahili meals as well as Western-style dishes (including fish, chicken, or meat when available), and will welcome your help in cleaning up. More Information 
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Research Summary Gedi Ruins, Watamu, Kenya — Sykes monkeys are common throughout Africa, and live in a range of forest habitats. Many species closely related to Sykes monkeys are endangered due to habitat loss and human encroachment. Monkeys are smart and opportunistic, and will raid gardens and garbage piles for food. As they find reliable food sources, they can become more aggressive in defending "their" food. This can lead to chronically elevated stress levels that are detrimental to their long-term health. Researchers Steffen Foerster and Dr. Geoffrey Wahungu are gathering data on the causes and consequences of stress in Sykes monkeys. The results from their study will help to mitigate stress levels in nonhuman primate populations suffering from human encroachment, particularly those that are threatened. Meet the Scientists  Steffen Foerster Columbia University Geoffrey Wahungu Moi University |
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About the Research Area Gedi (also spelled Gede) Ruins is a protected archaeological site and museum with a beautiful old-growth lowland seasonal forest among ancient Arab ruins. There is an extended trail system that allows Earthwatch teams to follow the monkeys with the least amount of disturbance, although bushwhacking is often necessary to keep up with them. The area is rich in bird life and has several interesting mammal species as well, such as elephant shrews, duikers, and suni antelopes. It is very close to one of the largest remaining coastal forests in East Africa, the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, home to elephants and many endemic species of plants and animals. The Tsavo East National Park lies to the northeast of Gedi and can be accessed easily by car for an excellent game drive. The nearby Mida Creek is an important bird area of international relevance for migrating water and shore birds, and has excellent opportunities to explore mangrove forests. The Sabaki River mouth a few miles to the north has very impressive sand dunes and deserted beaches. The field station itself is located next to the Indian Ocean, and a Marine National Park offers one of the most diverse coral reefs in Kenya right in front of the station. Find out more |
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Locations shown are approximate.
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