Afi Mountain

We visited an area called Afi Mountain that contains a canopy walk deep in the rainforest as well as a Drill Monkey and Chimpanzee reserve. There is a team that cares for the animals as well as provides tours. The Drill Monkey is a species that is only found in the Cross River State of Nigeria where we are located, eastern Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea.

In the rainforest, the reserve has multiple groups or fenced in areas of different colonies of Drill Monkeys. Apparently they develop very structured colonies making it difficult to introduce new animals to the group. Even within groups, we saw a couple monkeys that we outcasted from the main pack who stood well off to the side. These monkeys took alpha-type actions that upset the balance of the community and were essentially temporarily exiled. They can re-enter the community later after showing appropriate contrition -- whatever that means in monkey society.

At one point, the guide whispered to the group that the electric fence in one colony wasn't turned on at the moment (based on the power availability I would be surprised if any were on). We all thought the whispering was comical as though the monkeys could understand us, but we went along with it just in case. The fence itself was a bit strange as we were in the middle of the jungle with the people a couple feet on one side of the fence and the monkeys a couple feet on the other side watching each other closely. It wasn't clear who was actually 'inside' the fence.

The canopy walk provides another interesting view into our Nigerian experience. After walking for 15 minutes on cable and walkway rigging high above the ground, the guide stopped and pointed out that we needed to turn around as a tree had fallen on the path ahead. He seemed genuinely surprised as though this had just happened. When we returned to our office the next day, they asked if the canopy walk had been repaired yet. We were curious how they knew about the tree as news doesn't exactly spread quickly. Apparently the tree fell many months ago and they lack the ability and/or funding to fix it -- the joke was on us and every other tourist. On some levels seems a little devious, but I think it more represents the approach they do what they can with what's availability and possible. Regardless, we still really enjoyed the walk.