I can't believe it has been one day. So much to see and do here!
Of course now in the daylight and with food at my disposal, everyone is my best friend.
I was locked in last night for my safety and to keep me from wandering about before I was fully informed and oriented. Except for the permanent cat door in the gate, which was too small for me anyway, but gave multiple warm bodies a way to come and go.
Horace the monkey loves to torment the dogs outside, then he will be seen sitting on one of them, picking unlucky bits out of the fur. The dogs adore him, and I'm sure Horace sees himself as a dog as well.
First thing we did was to take the birds out to their outside enclosures, and collect dishes from all the animal pens. Food that was uneaten but in good shape was recycled to today. Clearly all the animals are given more food than they need. Rotten or damaged produce was given to the pigs. As Collin says, "You can't die a pig."
Each animal has its own specific recipe, for example Marmi the marmoset gets 4 pieces of everything - kiwi, grapes, apple, pear, butternut squash, nuts, and blueberries. Some birds are carnivores, the duiker (antelope) eats only fruit. Some need their fruit cut just so, others get yogurt with cereal - and no spoon. It is quite a scene. The food is then dispersed, the animals are checked and greeted, and onto the next duties.
Certain animals have specific needs for bottle feeding (baby babboon, Maggie) and multiple times a day. Others need hand feeding, like the newly found baby crow who gets bits of raw chicken and an electrolyte solution with a syringe. In the afternoon, Collin had two different sets of school children to tour. His message is the same, adjusted for ages involved - do not take exotic animals as pets, do not mistreat animals, be aware of the planet and maintain the balance. It is a spiel that would leave any U.S. environmentalist in awe. And the children soak it up.
I am so impressed at the daily routine, the complicated but attended needs of the animals, and the devotion and dedication of the staff. Most of them live on the Trust with their children, and work every day of the week but one. As far as I can tell, they work 12 hour days, and are always smiling. Because of the state of the local currency and the difficulty getting money out of the banks, they asked me to pay for my room in cash, which helps them pay their staff on time. My pleasure!
They occasionally have free spay clinics, and find that children will walk miles with their only family member - their dog - to get their pet this procedure that they otherwise cannot afford. The Trust will feed the kids while they are here too; a bonus that serves as a large incentive to this starving population.
If anyone feels so inclined, please visit Twala Trust online and donate if you can. Even $5 goes a long, long way.
http://www.twalatrust.com/how-to-help/
Of course now in the daylight and with food at my disposal, everyone is my best friend.
Kiko's mother was so emaciated and malnourished when they took her in that they did not know she was pregnant. She gave birth to Kiko and then died from the effort before the last two puppies could be delivered. Hand fed from birth, he definitely has a place at the table!
I was locked in last night for my safety and to keep me from wandering about before I was fully informed and oriented. Except for the permanent cat door in the gate, which was too small for me anyway, but gave multiple warm bodies a way to come and go.
Horace the monkey loves to torment the dogs outside, then he will be seen sitting on one of them, picking unlucky bits out of the fur. The dogs adore him, and I'm sure Horace sees himself as a dog as well.
First thing we did was to take the birds out to their outside enclosures, and collect dishes from all the animal pens. Food that was uneaten but in good shape was recycled to today. Clearly all the animals are given more food than they need. Rotten or damaged produce was given to the pigs. As Collin says, "You can't die a pig."
Each animal has its own specific recipe, for example Marmi the marmoset gets 4 pieces of everything - kiwi, grapes, apple, pear, butternut squash, nuts, and blueberries. Some birds are carnivores, the duiker (antelope) eats only fruit. Some need their fruit cut just so, others get yogurt with cereal - and no spoon. It is quite a scene. The food is then dispersed, the animals are checked and greeted, and onto the next duties.
Certain animals have specific needs for bottle feeding (baby babboon, Maggie) and multiple times a day. Others need hand feeding, like the newly found baby crow who gets bits of raw chicken and an electrolyte solution with a syringe. In the afternoon, Collin had two different sets of school children to tour. His message is the same, adjusted for ages involved - do not take exotic animals as pets, do not mistreat animals, be aware of the planet and maintain the balance. It is a spiel that would leave any U.S. environmentalist in awe. And the children soak it up.
I am so impressed at the daily routine, the complicated but attended needs of the animals, and the devotion and dedication of the staff. Most of them live on the Trust with their children, and work every day of the week but one. As far as I can tell, they work 12 hour days, and are always smiling. Because of the state of the local currency and the difficulty getting money out of the banks, they asked me to pay for my room in cash, which helps them pay their staff on time. My pleasure!
They occasionally have free spay clinics, and find that children will walk miles with their only family member - their dog - to get their pet this procedure that they otherwise cannot afford. The Trust will feed the kids while they are here too; a bonus that serves as a large incentive to this starving population.
If anyone feels so inclined, please visit Twala Trust online and donate if you can. Even $5 goes a long, long way.
http://www.twalatrust.com/how-to-help/
https://www.facebook.com/TheTwalaTrustAnimalSanctuary/?fref=ts
While waiting for dinner, Vinay jumped in the pool and suddenly had a goat (Maggie), a Jack Russell Terrier (Kiko), and an infant duiker chasing along side the pool; a trio united with the same mission (don't ask me what).
I was honored to have dinner with the owners and creators of Twala Trust, Sarah and Vinay, husband and wife. They are both born, raised, and educated in Harare and are very dedicated to their rescue center. Amazing and interesting people, both with a very kind and genuine sparkle. Horace the monkey joined us, making silhouettes on the umbrella above where we were sitting. He was persisting for grapes and being very comedic until he got his way.
The day ended with the final tucking of the birds, brought in lovingly one by one from their outside areas to their safe cages for the night. This gives all the birds some time together to enjoy, although each in his separate cage. They would stress or worse if enclosed with so many breeds of birds, but they do seem to softly chat to each other in the room they share at night. Maggie got her last bottle for the night, bounced off a few more cats, and collapsed in her dog crate. The crowd at the door to my room wrapped around the living room couch; I am so honored but sorry to decline. I know how much room gets left for me with 3 animals on my bed at home; and Kiko counts as more than one dog, certainly.
Although he did weasel his way in when I turned on the light to work on the computer in the wee hours... Some dogs just don't take "NO" for an answer!
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