Meet Arun Rangsi, one of IPPL's
Sanctuary Gibbons
HAPPY HOMECOMING FOR THE "PHILIPPINE DRILLS"
INTRODUCTION TO LIZA'S STORY
On 12 April 1995, ten primates were confiscated
at Manila Airport in the Philippines. The shipment had originated in Nigeria.
The animals were shipped in two crates. One crate contained a baby gorilla
and two endangered drill monkeys. The second crate contained two patas
monkeys, four vervets, and one baboon. The animals were confiscated and
taken to the government-run Wildlife Rescue Center in Quezon City. The
two Pakistani smugglers were arrested and released the next day - despite
their not having identified their Nigerian supplier or the intended Philippine
recipient. On learning of the confiscation,
IPPL contacted sanctuaries around the world regarding the primates. Unfortunately
the gorilla "Gorio" died before plans could be made for him. Pandrillus
and IPPL worked together to organize the drills' return. Finally, they
were sent to their homeland in July 1997.
Some of the monkeys died, and the survivors remain in the Philippines.
Liza Gadsby of the Drill Rehab and Breeding Center in Nigeria tells
the long tale of the famous drill monkeys - and how local and international
NGOs and governments worked together to do the right thing.
Proud father Fidel
Photo: Sarah Seymour
Ming with newborn baby Manilla
Photo: Sarah Seymour
Keepers Bassey Itiat (L) and Victor
Photo: Sarah Seymour
Jupeng Children's Performance Group
Photo: Liza Gadsby
A Crime is Committed
On 12 April 1995, 10 African primates in 2 tiny gift-wrapped crates were seized at Manila Airport. A gorilla, 2 drills and 7 other monkeys arrived on Pakistan Airlines from Karachi as 'personal baggage' of 2 Pakistani smugglers with only a "Free Disposal Permit for 6 pieces, monkeys" from Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, Kano, Nigeria.
While that document was probably genuine and may be used for moving non-endangered species within Nigeria, it is not valid for international shipment of any animals, especially Appendix I endangered gorillas and drills.
Philippine Government to the Rescue
After attempting to bribe customs officials, the smugglers were taken into custody and the primates sent for safekeeping at the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) Wildlife Rescue Center near Manila, maintained by the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
How Could This Happen?
Details of the primates' illegal exit from Nigeria are unknown but Kano, northern Nigeria's largest city, has a notorious animal market and is serviced by several international airlines. Although the confiscated species are native to Nigeria, they likely came from neighboring Cameroon, where populations of every species are higher. Nigeria's gorilla population is estimated at only 150, whereas Cameroon's is tens of thousands.
In recent years the flow of ape orphans from Cameroon to Nigeria has increased.
Pandrillus' chimpanzee sanctuary in Nigeria attracted no new chimps from 1992-1995, but 10 orphans arrived over the following 2 years, including 2 from Kano, hundreds of miles from chimpanzee habitat.
The Wheels Begin Turning....CITES Case No. 51478
As publicized in the August 1995 issue of IPPL News, PAWB Director Wilfrido Pollisco and Wildlife Rescue Center Director Alma Ballesfin initiated steps to redress the case.
Here in Nigeria, the Governor of Cross River State, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Frank Afufu, and Cross River National Park General Manager Clement Ebin, all wrote to pledge their cooperation to repatriate the gorilla and drills (Cross River is the only state in Nigeria where they live). Despite excellent care, the gorilla and some monkeys died in 1996, but the drills thrived.
At the Drill Rehab and Breeding Center in Cross River we began planning their return to Africa.
In March 1997, CITES Import Permit No. LSN/68/Vol.III/72CITES was issued by Nigeria's Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), and the Philippine's PAWB followed with CITES Export Permit No. 1711A-97. IPPL secured approval from the CITES Secretariat in Switzerland for the drills to come home.
A Concerted Effort on 5 Continents
With countless details to arrange before the CITES permit expired on 31 July, I was frantic here in Nigeria. Meanwhile, around the world, many others were doing their part: IPPL pushed on all fronts to keep the ball rolling as telephones and faxes in Cross River are normally out of service. In Australia Sally Wilson of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) continued monitoring the drills' well-being and searched for airline sponsorship. Sarah Scarth, IFAW's Emergency Relief Coordinator, went from South Africa to Manila to help IFAW Philippine representative Mel Alipio.
In Britain, Wildlife Information Network's (WIN's) David Dawson kept in contact with me and drill project vet John Lewis of the International Zoo Veterinary Group, while WIN vet Suzanne Boardman flew to Manila to perform final medical tests with PAWB vets Mundita Sison-Lim and Stephen Toledo.
Lufthansa German Airlines to the Rescue
The drills' repatriation was now a full time job for me, but with only weeks remaining before the CITES permit expired, we still had no airline sponsor! With the support of Eunice Bernard, Lufthansa Nigeria Sales Coordinator, the offer came for free transport from Manila to Lagos! The good news travelled quickly around the world as the IFAW team made final preparations with PAWB in Manila - construction of crates, paperwork and scheduling. On 28 July, after over 2 years in the Philippines, "Fidel" and "Ming" (named for President and First Lady Ramos) lifted off from Manila for the overnight flight to Frankfurt. Also aboard was Mel Alipio who, the next morning, combed Frankfurt shops with Lufthansa's efficient animal quarantine staff for fresh bananas during their 6 hour layover. By noon the drills and Mel were again airborne: next stop, Lagos!
Grand Homecoming
Ming and Fidel captured the imagination of the Nigerian public - as newspapers and radio heralded their imminent arrival, I scurried about Lagos (sub-Saharan Africa's largest city) to bring things together. Philippine Embassy staff were set to receive Mel. Sam Ubi and I contacted airport security, vets, the press and Lufthansa staff.
Meanwhile, FEPA staff, including Director General Dr. Adegoke Adegoroye and CITES Coordinator Comfort Owolabi, alerted airport protocol to assist Mel, and cut through the flock of reporters struggling for tarmac passes to meet the drills!
The plane landed - early! Dr. Adegoroye and I raced blindly down back corridors and dark stairwells to the tarmac. Below the giant wing, a crowd gaped at the gorgeous crates descending from the hold - Ming and Fidel were first off! Elaborate nets secured the crates to a huge tray enveloped by steam swirling off the tarmac as the sun's last rays pierced the rainy season twilight. It was as if the Ark of the Covenant itself had arrived!
In a flash I realized all the work and care undertaken by so many people around the world. Every possible effort had been made from the Wildlife Rescue Center to this moment for the drills' safety and Lufthansa's attention was first-class.
With the O.K. from Lufthansa Cargo Manager Yomi Osunniyi, I opened the feeding slot and a male drill's hand shot out to grasp mine. The crowd sighed approval and followed as Dr. Adegoroye and I rode the drill's cargo carrier to the waiting FEPA convoy.
But the Nigerian press and BBC team insisted on seeing the animals! Sam and I still didn't know if the other crate contained a male or female but this was the time to find out. It was dark and raining when we finally lifted the mystery drill out for the cameras and realized it was a beautiful adult female - and she was pregnant!
The crowd was thrilled and cameras rolled!
Lufthansa Deputy General Manager Yomi Jones found two new travel kennels (as if Lufthansa hadn't done enough!) as ours were too small (we expected three year olds!) Two hours later we arrived at the home of Robert and Rosana Cessac in downtown Lagos for the night - the Cessacs donated chimpanzee "Micky" to the project and gave me key logistical support in Lagos.
The Last Leg - Thanks to Mobil Oil
Next morning I finally met Mel, who had been hosted by Philippine diplomats overnight. Thanks to Paul Ellison at Mobil Producing Nigeria, the drills and their entourage were bussed to the airport for a free flight in Mobil's private plane to Cross River.
Calabar Airport was reported closed after a commercial jet crash-landed the night before, but our Mobil pilot slipped us in behind the crash investigation team after the runway was cleared of wreckage!
As we taxied to the terminal, I glimpsed Peter, our staff, and government friends grinning in amazement - no one was sure we would really come! Ming & Fidel arrived at Drill Ranch to a rousing reception of staff, friends, media and officials -- plus the Jupeng Children's Performance Group, who danced and sang their specially-prepared poem "Drills Welcome Home to Nigeria".
Mel handed over the still-boxed drills to Director of Forestry Colo Agbor and state Environmental Protection Agency Director Emmanuel Nyong, and Ming & Fidel were ceremoniously released into their quarantine enclosure, reunited in peace, at last.
Baby "Manila" is Born in Nigeria
Ming delivered a perfect baby girl September 14. I named her Manila to honor the place she was conceived and those there who cared so well for her parents. In West Africa manillas are brass or bronze bracelets used as currency through the 19th century - the word still connotes wealth and security.
In December, national television filmed Manila's naming ceremony as the whole country continues to follow their story! Ming is a model mother and Fidel a doting father; the little family successfully completed their quarantine and will soon join one of our three breeding groups in a multi-hectare, natural rain-forest enclosure at Afi Mountain. We hope to release the first group back to the wild in 1999.
The Bigger Picture
Just as important as Ming & Fidel's rightful return is the sensation and interest it created. Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, and has an active press.
Local and national media give the drills terrific support, but never more than this case! Ming & Fidel's story was shown repeatedly on a popular TV program seen by tens of millions of Nigerians. Total strangers stop me on the street to inquire as to their well-being!
The story put wildlife smuggling on the national agenda, sparking editorials ranging from forest conservation to animal rights.
Such public interest is critical for the long-term success of primate
conservation in Africa.
Meet Arun Rangsi, one of IPPL's
Sanctuary Gibbons