Motherhood

   For the first two days, I had the same duties as the 5 other volunteers: preparing food, cleaning cages, checking on animals and the like. After I was settled in, I was pulled aside in a meeting with Estie, Sam, and Daryl, where they proposed I become mom to Robby, the infant baboon at the center. I was thrilled, and ended spending a day playing with him so he could get used to me. Sadly, Robby was suspected of having an illness, so I am no longer able to care for him. Instead, I am now caring for Snookie, a baby vervet, around the clock.
   Last night was my first night with Snookie. She's quite a beauty, and has a much prettier face than some vervet babies. I have to stay inside most of the time, for if the wild vervets saw me, they would attack. She gets bottle fed every 3 hours, though she thankfully slept through the night (starting at 1 am)! The rest of the girls seem a bit put out that they had not been asked to do such an exciting thing, though they do enjoy "sitting" for Snookie occasionally.
  The center itself is beautiful, with lots of trees and the sounds of birds follow you everywhere. It is gated, and looks a bit like a prison at night when all the security precautions are in place, though I'm happy to know I'm safe. There is a spar not far away, and I have absolutely fallen in love with its chocolates!