Adopt a Monkey Programme
Support for the Centre from

Cereal lovers can now help orphaned monkeys in Malawi simply by eating their favourite breakfast. Kellogg’s have teamed up with Born Free to help save even more orphaned and threatened primates.

From January to March 2009, shoppers have the chance to directly help these animals and are able to ‘Adopt a Monkey’ by collecting three special packs of Kellogg’s cereal. Each adoption will last six months and will help Born Free rescue and rehabilitate monkeys and return them to the wild. By visiting www.adoptamonkey.co.uk, people will be able to choose which monkey to adopt from around 40 vervets and baboons, all with their own incredible stories. They will also be able to download a free adoption pack consisting of an adoption certificate, their monkey’s story and a picture, along with an exclusive offer of a set of stickers from Snapfish by HP.

The promotion will give massive support to the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. Our main aim is to provide a facility for wild animals that are rescued or confiscated from private ownership and the bush meat trade within Malawi. We also provide a facility for injured wild animals to recuperate. Where possible the animals, once rehabilitated and ready, are either returned to the wild or to the Centre’s Wilderness zone. Those that cannot be released will be cared for the rest of their lives at the Centre.

‘Bump’ a baby vervet monkey, was discovered early this year in a terrible condition when tragically his mother had been run over and left at the side of the road. A very young Bump was still clinging to her when one of the Centre's animal carers happened to drive past and notice him. Sadly his mother died but Bump escaped with black and blue eyes and a tyre mark still obvious on his head. Since being rescued, Bump has made a good recovery with the help of Centre staff and is now preparing to join the Centre’s main vervet troop along with other young orphans. Bump was lucky to survive but it was even luckier that one of our animal carer's was passing. Road traffic accidents are just one of the causes of injury to wild animals in Malawi and we provide a vital place for these animals to be rehabilitated and released rather than being simply left to die.

There are primates for sale at the side of the road for just a few dollars. Both vervets and baboons are classified from a conservation perspective as ‘least concern'. However, across Africa, hunting pressure on baboons is increasing in some parts of their range and in certain areas vervets suffer from being utilised as bushmeat and illegal pets.

Commenting on the Kellogg's-Born Free partnership, Anne Tudor, marketing director from Born Free, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with such a trusted and well known brand as Kellogg’s. The campaign will feature on 22 million packs which will be a huge help in raising awareness of our work as well as raising vital funds to help the monkeys of Malawi.” To find out more about how Kellogg’s is helping Born Free please visit www.adoptamonkey.co.uk and www.kelloggcompany.com