THE HUMAN AND MONKEY DEMOCRACY.

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I took a visit recently to the Drill Ranch, Atekong drive, currently run by Peter Jenkins, a popular Briton everyone knows if you have lived in the City of Calabar long enough.
Drills are large, short tailed rain forest monkeys found only in Cross River State, Nigeria, South-western Cameroon, and on Bioko Island, EquatorialGuinea(#DidYouKnow).Unfortunately these animals are in danger of extinction and the drill rehabilitation and breeding centre which started in 1991 with 5 drills now boasts of over 298 drills – over 75% of captive drills in the world. Drill Ranch is one of the world’s most successful captive breeding programs for an endangered species and this is in Cross River (#DidYouKnow)

As the tour guide took me round the Ranch I listened to stories of the first dills their exciting names and the different generations they represent and then he started talking about their leaders.
At the extreme corner of the camp in a secluded cage sat a lonely and skinny monkey, Tokyo. He was the king of the last 3 generations. The King is the head of the pack. Tokyo was a wicked King as I am told refused to hand over power willingly even after his 3rd and 2nd in command had already been defeated. This led to an open confrontation which left him wounded in his eyes and led to an infection that has left him blind till today. He is also in solitary confinement because the tour guide says if he is released the other monkeys will kill him because of his atrocities when he was leader.
Mbukpa who took over him was loved by all and was very generous and caring. He ruled for a long time before handing over power willingly to Tony the new King who was the ruler at the time of my visit. Unfortunately Tony is wicked and greedy. Throughout the time I was at the ranch he sat alone towards the door entrance and I learnt this happens every day.
Mbukpa who is no more King but still a member of the pack was flanked by most of the women and children as he still remains loved by all.
A younger monkey is already gearing up to become leader and has defeated Tonys 3rd in command already. The wicked are not in short supply of adversary at least the monkeys have proved this and then I start to think of humanity.
I remember from the book of Kings in the Bible that they were good and bad kings at every time in history. Even some sons chased their fathers and likewise in some cases. But the moral of this story is that we will be judged by the choices we make. If the opportunity comes to lead will you serve the people or be like the wicked King and stand the risk of ending up blind.
The choice is yours.
Make sure to visit the Drill Ranch at Atekong drive, Calabar. It’s truly a wonderful place.




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