These blue monkeys represent a story years in the making. Their recovering forest habitat on Idjwi Island in the DRC stems from the work of our late colleague, Dr. Augustin K. Basabose.
Dr. Basabose rediscovered blue monkeys on his home island of Idjwi in collaboration with community members. He also pioneered the Ape Trees® project, a bold reforestation effort using seeds collected from ape dung. Together with his team at Primate Expertise, he brought this work to Idjwi, planting native trees that benefit both wildlife and communities.
This 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘢 tree—one of several tree species introduced to the island—has become a hub for the monkeys’ daily social activities. Sightings like this signal a growing blue monkey population on Idjwi and a legacy that continues through our partnership with Primate Expertise.
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