Ep. 20 Monkey magic in Diani, Kenya with Pam Cunneyworth

We're back in the bird hide talking about monkeys with Dr Pam Cunneyworth, Director of Colobus Conservation in Diani on the Kenyan coast. It was at the young age of 7 that a teacher planted the lifelong love of Africa in her. At university, a lecture by Birutė Galdikas, a *trimate (one of Dr. Louis Leakey's famous primatologists) inspired Pam to take "the road less travelled," a journey that led her to leave Canada for a life in East Africa. In our conversation, Pam offers us a glimpse into a fascinating world of primates: The impact of "Colobridges," aerial structures that help monkeys cross roads safely. Why you shouldn't ignore the 'eyebrow flash' of a baboon (hint: it's an important signal!)   How studying a small population of monkeys on the Kenyan coast ties in with global projects to protect ecosystems. Practical steps hotels can take to minimise monkey and baboon encounters. Lastly, we list some of the many tourist attractions in Diani on Kenya's stunning Indian Ocean coast.  Join me Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu | East Africa Travel Blog, in the birdhide at Sunbird Hill for a conversation about monkeys, tourism, future plans for the podcast - and some thank yous! *Known as  "the "trimates," Louis Leakey was the first to commission the three female primatologists: Dame Jane Goodall (who specialises in chimpanzees) and Dian Fossey (mountain gorillas) and Birutė Galdikas (orangutans). Together, their research has rewritten our understanding of great apes. Welcome to my world!  Tune in every week to The East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus, travel advice, chats with award-winning conservationists, safari guides, birders, lodge owners (and wacky guidebook writers). Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.