Every cloud has a silver lining

Yesterday was a bad day. Just about everything that could go wrong did.
Because of the heavy rains, the local rivers, which cross the roads here, were swollen and impassable on foot or bike. Our staff come from a village some eight kilometers beyond Canaote and need to ford three rivers. The result was that none of them arrived for work. This left me with the heavy chore of cleaning six enclosures, and preparing breakfast and dinner for our ten children. I must say this is no mean task. This is not to mention the chickens, a turkey and six dogs, two macaws and a green parrot.

The second disaster occurred at about three o’clock in the afternoon when I discovered that Mañiña was not in his enclosure. He had gone walkies and was nowhere to be found. This was my main anxiety over the next fourteen hours. All night I was awake least I should hear him on the roof or trying to get back into the house.
The next event was a call from William my driver. He had been arrested and taken to the local police station, charged with receiving and handling a shotgun without proper documentation. Strangely, he had just finished his negotiation for the gun and paid for it, when a police officer arrived on a motorbike and said ‘allo, ‘allo what’s all this. William complains that the whole scene was complicity. This was shortly resolved in Venezuelan style, by me over the telephone. No charges and the gun was properly documented in any case, and that is the end of the matter.

At about three thirty, I took dinner around to the children. Imanol followed me without being noticed. I opened Totto’s door, and entered, Sophie was looking under the door, she suspected that there was another monkey outside. She was right. Sophie suddenly rushed past me, intent on attacking Imanol. Just in time, I scooped him up and held him safely in my arms but not in time to prevent Sophie from escaping. She spent the next two hours in the high trees racing around the canopy like a wild thing. I enjoyed watching her jump from high branch to high branch, she is very skilled. One thing you have to know about Sophie is that she loves bananas. I took a large banana from the kitchen and offered it to Sussy. This was too much for Sophie and she came down from the tree tops get her share. And so to bed for Sophie but not before Totto had given her a clip behind the ear for deserting him.
At seven the next morning, Dennis one of the staff, arrived with Mañiña in his arms. Curiously, he found him in exactly the same spot where Imanol had been found a few days before, hiding among the plants in the greenhouse. I just could not bring myself to believe that Mañiña would desert me, after the good relationship we have formed. He knows that I care for him and that he is loved and wanted here. He was relieved and happy to be back in my arms and very hungry. Of course, we have had a post mortem, why did he want to leave? We discovered that he had an quarrel with Emma, with whom he is sharing. She can be argumentative and has eyes only for Schatov. He was trying to get away from her. We have divided the enclosure as a temporary measure, so that he has access to my room at night but separate from Emma and Schatov. Emma and Schatov occupy Chateau Schatov. We will make a more permanent arrangement later in the week. More about the social attitudes among howlers in another posting.

Well everything had a happy conclusion, everyone is safe and well, and it shows that even a very bad day can turn out well in the end.

Our picture shows Dennis, and Mañiña just returned from his trip and very glad to be back home.
I also have some good shots of fruit and orchids here at Canaote. All coming soon.

Murder most foul

Pablo the Pavo killed Tweety Pie the green parrot last night.
Two young macaws, two green parrots and a male turkey have lived, harmoniously, in the large tall enclosure in front of our house for two years. Until recently, and for six months, they also had four capuchin monkeys as guests. Pablo has always kept himself aloof from the others. However, we have never seen any sign of animosity between any of them. Last night at about five o’clock, I heard loud and urgent squawking. I rushed outside and saw Tweety Pie lying on her back with Pablo biting her chest and neck. Tweety Pie was in a bad way. She died in my arms a few hours later in spite of our aid. It is difficult to say what started the attack. It is possible that it was about food. But whatever, it was unexpected. Tweety Pie and her mate, Thomas were a loving and inseparable pair. Both were talkative and friendly. Tweety Pie was a star because she mimicked our housekeeper perfectly and this caused great amusement. One of the most memorable things was her ability to open padlocks. At one time, I named her 'chief of the escape committee'. Tweety Pie will be missed and not only by Thomas.
We have moved Pablo to other quarters.
Our photographs show Pablo being motherly to some eight-day-old chicks and Tweety Pie working on a padlock.

A new Chateau Schatov

Just to show we have not been sitting on our fingers, here is a photograph of a new house that we have built for Schatov and Emma. It was completed only a few days ago. They are now sharing with Mañiña and to make them really feel at home, we have duplicated their house. What you see is a new house in the enclosure next to the farm main building. Mañiña is still not too sure about his new companions but he is curious and not unfriendly. We have moved them to address some security concerns.

Our other picture gives us great satisfaction. Some years ago, we were given two macaws. A boy, named ‘Pieces of eight’, after the famous pirate (in the picture) and a girl named Sally. They have lived at liberty with us for many years. One day they disappeared and we saw nothing of them for four months. We thought the worse; that they had been captured for sale. We were wrong because when they returned, they had two young ones. They remained in the area of the farm until yet again they disappeared and returned with yet another two children. That is now six macaws at liberty in our immediate area. This is in addition, to the two very young ones that we are nurturing. We have succeeded in re populating this area with macaws. It is unfortunate that these birds are the prey of villains who capture them for sale. They bring a very high price in some quarters. They are a magnificent sight when you see a family of them in flight.

Totto and Sophie in the morning chorus..

At first sight, I was sure that Totto was going to be a problem. We arranged a large enclosure for him. Literally, a house and garden. We converted our unused cheese room into a house and added an extensive enclosed garden. The garden already contained a large mature Calabash tree, famous for making maracas. (Cresenta cujete). The entrance to the garden is through a doorway that we built in one of the windows.
He was very aggressive when he first arrived and made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with Canaote. Fortunately, he decided to avoid us whenever we entered his house. He would leave through the garden door, leaving us free to houseclean and provide food.
In the two months, that he has been here the situation has changed. His natural curiosity has overcome his aggression and he now has more confidence in us. He now greets us by rolling over on his back, in a sign that tells us that he has no aggressive intention. He knows that I often have a tidbit of one of his favorite munches in my hand.
In a previous posting, I reported on the experimental introduction of Sophie into his life. She is a mature adult and needs male attention. The initial meeting went quite badly but as time past, they have become good friends. They now sleep, eat and share the facilities of the garden together. I feel confident that they will be a successful pair. You will remember that MonaLisa adopted Sophie when she was very tiny. Sophie would still like to go home to mum but there comes a time in every girls life when she must leave home and give her loyalty to her husband. It will be interesting to see if this union will make changes in Totto's attitudes.
Where possible we try to pair our monkeys, to give them the dignity of parenthood. The very thing that was taken away from them when they were sold at the roadside.

Our photograph shows them together in full voice in the morning chorus.

The little boy that Santa Claus forgot

I have written about Marco before but always about his relationship with Sussy. I have written very little just about him. He arrived at Canaote in December 2003. The police, who had confiscated him from children trying to sell him on the roadside, handed him to us. If people just realized when they buy monkeys in the street that the mother has been shot, to make this sale possible. The more you buy the more helpless animals will meet this fate.
At that time, he weighed only 500 grams. Sussy adopted him and when he was small, she carried him about on her back. Sussy treats him like her own and they are inseparable. However, he is now over 4 kilos and not a baby anymore. He is very athletic, he plays on the ropes and swing in his garden all day until late. When visitors see his size and discover that he is only about two and a half years old, they are often incredulous. He is a character, he wants you to join in his games, and to make sure that you do not leave too soon he often snatches a hat or other available possession. Marco is an expert pickpocket. He is friendly but not cuddly. You won’t find him sitting on your shoulder or in your arms. He is after all an alpha male. I have watched him develop from a toddler to adulthood. I heard his first thin pathetic morning calls change into the full-throated deep and vibrant call he demonstrates today. A bit of a joker, yes but he has all the proud bearing of a leader. Male alphas are aggressive to other younger monkeys. Particularly if they are not his brood. I have never observed that attitude in him. Quite the contrary, I often see his invitation to join in the game.
He is loved and respected by all the staff here. I don’t have favorites but if I did…
He has no visitors that come specially to see him. No e-mail enquires. No phone calls to ask after his heath. Who needs toys anyway? Having said that, he is not lonely and most days he really enjoys himself.

In our picture you see him eating a Santol, a fruit from Malaysia. Quite rare here in Venzuela, our trees are probably the only ones in this country and they are growing and fruiting happily in our Botantic Garden. The children have lots of rare treats from the large collection of fruits we have from around the tropical world.

Christmas comes but once a year for ev'ry girl and boy,
The laughter and the joy they find in each toy.
I'll tell you of a little boy who lives across the way;
This little feller's Christmas is just another day.

He's the little boy that Santa Claus forgot,
And goodness knows he didn't want a lot.
He sent a note to Santa for some soldiers and a drum;
It broke his little heart when he found Santa hadn't come.

In the street, he envies all those lucky boys,
Then wanders home to last year's broken toys.
I'm so sorry for that laddie;
He hasn't got a daddy,
The little boy that Santa Claus forgot.

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Toddy for Mañiña

On Sunday, Mañiña received a visit from his family and friends. It was a great day for him and he was thrilled to be reunited with them, even if it was for only a few hours. We welcome visitors and it does the animals no harm. I was reminded of what I had been told by the family about Mañiña’s habits. They told me that he likes a cup of Toddy in the evening. Well I haven’t been giving him this, I was worried about the amount of sugar in this drink and the fat content. Not to be defeated, our picture shows him making a cup for himself.

Not a dry eye in the house.

Rosita has lost no time in looking around for a boy friend. She has been showing an interest in Mañiña for some days now. Last night she was content to sleep in his arms rather than straddled around my neck. She really is developing at an extraordinary rate. Only a few short weeks ago, her legs were little spindles, I thought scarcely able to support her weight. Now they are quite chunky. She becomes more adventurous and precocious every day, with forages around the house and garden. I did not expect her to develop this quickly. Tomorrow we will take her to a small trees in the garden. Let see how she behaves as a real monkey.

Mañiña knows that his human family will visit him tomorrow. He is excited tonight.You told me he likes Toddy but more about that tomorow.

I suppose it is time to mention that many of our children have human friends that care and either enquire frequently or visit. However, we do have a number of children with no one to care except me and Louis Angel, the carer, here.

MonaLisa, brought here in October three years ago then forgotten, not one enquiry in that time. One of Christmas's forgotten toys. Tragic because she is the loveliest and sweetest natured Howler lady in the world.

Marco, Young and hansom young adult. Naughty at times (watch your hat) but lovable and very intelligent.

Sophie, a waif brought here and abandoned, no one enquires or brings her gifts. She has a pretty face and has lived here since she was tiny. Again she is intelligent and is loving. Likes riding a bicycle and loves her photograph being taken.

Emma, has a few carer friends from ARFA. (Unfortunately they have all moved away). Otherwise she has been abandoned. I fell in love with her long before she came to live with us. When she was still at ARFA, I visited her often. She is exceptional in that she walks on two legs, and is the constant loving companion of Schatov. She has an expressive manner. She lets you know if she likes you. She has a wonderful nature.

I could tell you so much more about each of these children. But better adopt one of them as your special friend. (Human Special Friend, HSF). What does that involve? Not much. Enquire after her/him. Visit. Send a gift of what ever you can afford, or any one or all of those things. Heavy? Yes a little but love is like that. I cannot think about them with dry eyes, can you?
Picture Mañiña giving Rosita a cuddle.

Who told you Howlers do not smile?

Yes it's Mañiña in the kitchen again, with a broad grin. He has found the coffee pot and has just helped himself to a cup. (not too hot).

Who is for coffee?

A few days ago we had intruders during the night. They entered Schatov’s garden and then left without doing any harm, except that they left the doors open. I cannot imagine what they though that they would find in a monkey house. Maybe they were looking for a sack to carry away their meager booty. Anyway, in the morning, Emma went out through the open door and when I first saw her at about 6.30 AM, she was enjoying herself in the high trees. She was eating leaves and making very happy noises. During this time, Schatov sat calmly on one of his pedestals enjoying the fun. Well it doesn’t take much effort to get Emma back into the enclosure. I just offered her a banana and she came down at once. We have now taken extra precautions and padlock the outer enclosure door every night. However, I am certain that this was just a one off event, not to be repeated. Most people are frightened of Araguatos even the small ones. In addition, there was nothing there to steal.

We have a helper in the kitchen every night now and my photograph tells you the story. Typhoo the tea people, advertise internationally with a chimpanzee tea party but how many people know that Howlers actually love coffee? Mañiña, in common with most Howlers, loves coffee. You see him checking out the quality of the Pantin Coffee, I don't know the commercial name but I think he should be on the advertising pay role. Even his color is that of a rich blend. We just have too many photographs of his games in the kitchen to show tonight.
Lots of news about Mañiña,Imanol and Rosita soon.
And what about that snake in the grass?
Totto and Sophie, a wedding to be announced?
Loads of hot news so keep connected.
Schatov is looking up at Emma in the trees above him; he is a little worried by her exuberance. See our story above.
Schatov left, Mañiña right.

Naivety which enhanced the charm

On Friday 4th August 2006 we visited ARFA, our companion rescue organization. The occasion was the birthday of the daughter of the president of ARFA, Sonia. The center was full of children from a local school. When we arrived, they were engaged in a drawing competition. A number of professors from a "Simon Rodriguez" University were helping organise the children. Some of the entries would easily rival mature artists. Lucy, the president told us that there was also a young dance group present and that they would perform for us.
We did a tour of the animals and took refreshment. Later, we got together for the real treat of the day.
The dancers were young and had the most beautiful dresses. The dress for each dance was different. A number of traditional Venezuelan dances were preformed, all with grace and enthusiasm. Many of these dances have the flavor of old Spain with typical flamenco footwork. Flamenco is a dance originating in Spain that features hand clapping and stamping of the feet, which was very expertly performed.
This was not a professional group. These children dance because they love it. It had a little naivety about it which enhanced the charm. What a pity it is that Venezuela does not show the world that it has a rich culture. We left excited by what we had seen.

Now we know who stole the cream.

We know it wasn't the cat. But who stole the chocolate? Yes you are right Rosita and her usual accomplice Imanol.

Note Bill Wintrip, thanks for your note old friend but you didn't leave an e-mail address

Mañiña has a wonderfully expressive face.

In the posting I did on 'Come dance with me'. I invited you to give some descriptions to the expressions that Mañiña displays in the photographs. No comments on this? Come on he has such a wonderfully expressive face.

Living with Howlers. Part one. Lock up your fridges

Be sure that you have a lockable fridge. Mine doesn’t lock so I have a strong piece of rope which I can tie around it to keep the children out.
Don’t get mad when they do because it’s your fault. Have you never noticed all those fridges in the high trees with the doors open?
Our kitchen fridge has double doors so we wedge a wooden spoon between the handles. This works most of the time.
Get used to running your office or living room from the floor because that’s where most items in the room will end up. Therefore, you might as well put things on the floor to start with.
Howlers love causing noise and jumping from place to place, twisting their tails around anything, which comes within reach, particularly items that hit the floor with a crash, movable or unmovable. Naturally, the movable end up on the floor. You will never be able to stop them doing this. The best you can hope for is that they will look guilty afterwards.
If you pick them up when they don’t want to be picked up they will yell blue murder and fight back with pooh. They are capable of producing instant bad smelling diarrhea. Be warned.
Howlers are addicted to eating paper, especial of high denomination. Given a 10, a 20, a 50 and a 100 note, they will instinctively go for the 100 every time.

If you allow them to share your bed, estimate 75% for them 25% for you, on a good night.
Beware of the unexpected. We had a visitor, a lady who professed to love Howlers very much. MonaLisa bit her firmly on the bum. The lady said nothing but avoided MonaLisa for the rest of the visit.
A last word. If you deny them something that they really want, they are capable of tears and heart rending cries that could move the strongest resolve.

With all our faults, they still find us acceptable as friends and tolerate our shortcomings.

Our picture shows Mañiña siting out a rain storm with MonaLisa in the background. You can see their washing machine. They love to sleep in this in the afternoon. Top left corner you see their hammock This is a favorite place for them to play. In the evening they are both free to roam the house.

Schatov watching the world go by.

On my way to photograph Sophie in her new home with Totto, I passed Schatov sitting in his favorite tree. He really is very good looking. He and Emma continue to be the perfect couple. They are always together. This was a good photo opportunity because he is rarely still long enough to get a good shot. I get a great welcome when I visit them. Schatov goes off with my hat. Emma is always loving and settles down on my shoulder with a few welcoming licks. I couldn't resist putting up this picture of Schatov.