Accra, Dec. 20, GNA – The Endangered Primate Centre of Accra Zoo has taken delivery of a monkey as part of a breeding programme being undertaken by the Forestry Commission in collaboration with the West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA).

The monkey called ‘Accra’ is a female Mangabey, one of two endangered species being conserved at the centre and was brought from the Barcelona Zoo in Spain to Accra as part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP).

The programme aims to link together the captive species of animals around the world to encourage genetically healthier and active breeding populations, thus animals are exchanged between zoos to maintain active breeding groups and a healthy level of genetic variation among the captive population.

Madam Katherine Silenga, Country Coordinator of WAPCA, speaking to GNA in Accra, said the two species of monkeys, the White Naped Mangabeys and the Roloway were a highly endangered species endemic to only western Ghana and eastern La Cote d'Ivoire hence the need to properly conserve and encourage healthy breeding among them to increase size of their population.

She said activities such as hunting and clearing of lands had greatly reduced the number of these monkeys in the wild and that the long-term goal of the programme was to re-introduce the monkeys back to their natural habitats.

She said in two years, pre-selected animals from the centre, including ‘Accra’ would be sent to a semi-free enclosure, possibly in Ankasa in the Western Region, where they would learn to fend for themselves in the wild, they would learn among other things to hunt for food and protect themselves from predators before they were released into the wild.

Madam Silenga said there was the need to create more awareness among Ghanaians on environmental conservation issues including the need to conserve endangered species, whether plants or animals.

“Everybody has a responsibility to manage their natural resources so that future generations will still have a chance to see monkeys in the wild or walk through a forest, otherwise we would have a world with no trees or animals and that would be sad,” she stated.

She said the centre, located in the Achimota Forest, would be opened to the public early next year.

Dr Ziekah Mayir, Veterinary Surgeon of the Wildlife Division, said it was the best breeding group so far, recording its first births and no deaths.

The centre, which started with four animals, currently has 13 Mangabeys eight males and five females, most of which are originally from Ghana.

He said ‘Accra’ had undergone all the necessary medical examinations and had been proven to be very healthy and would be great addition those already at the centre.

“We are very excited about the arrival of this monkey as it would help with breeding and promote the conservation of these monkeys,” he said.