ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2022 Submission
Ellen De Generes. I Am Not a Pet. I Am a Bushmeat Orphan. Ellen a female infant mona guenon monkey was confiscated from people who were likely planning to smuggle her overseas as a pet. She was only about seven days old when she arrived at Ape Action Africa her umbilical cord attachment still healing. Though only weeks old while I hand-raised her Ellen had a distinct and huge personality which was endlessly fascinating to observe. Initially it was through her distinct mona vocalization we could identify her species. But she soon developed the characteristic white oval spots on her flanks and the band of black at her eyes like a mask.