Thanking Our Friends

"On behalf of all of us here at Cape CROW, and those who have been, and those still to come, I, Joshua Baboon, make this tribute to our dear human friends - anonymous and known, seen and unseen, near and far:

We all extend our deepest love and gratitude to you for all your help to the Frazers, and to us, in so many varied ways. It is not possible to name everyone, but we know who you are, all of you, and how you've helped - and we truly appreciate whether you have been a good samaritan and rescued us injured on a roadside, whether you've brought us a banana or two or some almonds for us baboons, whether you went fishing for crabs and mussels for us otters or caught a mouse for us owls, or brought some cabbage for us tortoises, or helped with fencing or caging or plumbing, or dried pears or straw, or a heartfelt smile when you have visited us, or contributed with a donation towards the creation of our new release facilities across the road - whatever, however and whenever, thank you.

It would be remiss of me not to be a little more specific on this page dedicated to acknowledgements, so I've made my list for now, and will update it regularly.

  • To my beloved baboon friend Matthew - who arrived on the Frazers' doorstep orphaned at 6 weeks old, and initiated the whole Cape CROW project. You'll richly deserve your freedom Matthew on the adjoining land which is to be named "Matthew's Paradise".
  • To my dearest Beth - second baboon here arrived at 7 months old and now approximately 8 years later surrogate mother to all orphaned baboon babies. Thank you Beth for your huge contribution and your friendship to me when I was so ill myself.
  • Mrs Pat O'Neill. This lady, with such love for us animals, and her own animal rescue project throughout her life, inspired Nola & Peter Frazer to take up the reigns and create a centre on their smallholding.
  • Western Cape Nature Conservation. For your co-operation, willingness to listen and negotiate, and the enthusiasm to see this project instituted. We have got to know quite a few of you, especially Corne, and are glad he is able to bring/send animals needing help to our centre.
  • Our Lemoenshoek neighbours - heartfelt thanks to you all for your initial support of the idea of a wild animal rehabilitation centre at The Manger. And continued thanks for the delicious plums from nearby orchards or dried pears and apricots, mealies, butternuts, watermelons, apples and other edible goodies!
  • Barrydale friends - so many of you - for your unceasing interest and joy in our welfare, besides all the goodies you bring from your kitchens and garages. We get supported by one or other of you nearly every day. Thank you.
  • Anonymous donors - We honour and salute you - your contributions towards our rehabilitation and freedom are truly appreciated. Thank you.
  • Interspecies Communicators - Particularly Jann Weiss, Kerry Kronenberg, Dale Fox, Anna Breytenbach, Wynter Worsthorne and Angie Gillett who have opened up this avenue of awareness of comunication between other species and you humans. Also heart felt thanks to Wilma and her body talk team who assist us so often during illness.
  • Animal Care Centres such as CROW in Durban, CARE, Free Me and others - thank you for your time, assistance and phone advice.
  • Veterinary help: Dr Norman thank you from our hearts for your help and advice, so willingly given when we have had broken bones or needed stitching etc. Thank you also to other vets who have volunteered, we appreciate your willing support.
  • Labyrinth Walkers: To you all, who made a pilgrimmage to our labyrinth at The Manger, then leave behind something for us, thank you.
  • To you all who support us with love and friendship from the other side of the wire fence - we thank you.
  • Staff of The Manger: None but ourselves realize how much time, care and devotion has been put into making secure housing for us and the other animals, what it means to grow and prepare our food, to clean our cages, to keep our water fresh and clean, etc. Thank you all, We will always remember you.
  • Dr Kathleen Matthews, dearly loved mentor of Peter and Nola. Because of her Peter and Nola relocated to The Manger to do the work that she, long, long before, knew needed to be done.
  • Thomas S. Larimer for your generosity in establishing, compiling and donating The Manger's Little Big Library, filled with books about baboons and interspecies communication as well as scientific journals. Thank you also to those who continue to donate books to the Little Big Library.
  • Jenni Trethowan from Baboon Matters, Cape Town - Thank you Jenni for all you do for the welfare of us baboons, here and everywhere. We love you. Thank you also to your family, volunteers, and Alan from Cape of Good Hope SPCA for your support with our electrified enclosures.
  • The volunteers, one and all, who have come from near and far to learn and to contribute to the project. Thank you for sharing your love and support with myself and the other baboons, and for bringing our message with you wherever you go. Ohad, a very special thank you for coming from Israel to assist with Matthew's relocation to the 5 hecter enclosure. Thank you Simon for updating the website and to all those who have contributed photographs.
  • Nola and Peter, our founders, thank you for your continued love, dedication and commitment.