CARE is a BAboon sanctuary in South Africa that takes in and rehabilitates orphaned baboons. In South Africa baboons are viewed as vermin and shot freely. The babies are then left to die or taken in as pets. The lucky few make there way to CARE where volunteers help raise them and introduce them to a troop of babies of similar age. When the troop reaches about five years old the director requests a permit from the South African Government and the troop is released back into the wild where they are observed for a couple months to make sure they adjust OK to their new surroundings.

Before the baboons can be released they have to grow up. Some babies come in as young as one day old and need to have one volunteer that can give them round the clock care for at least two months. The center has plenty of short term volunteers, but are in need for long term volunteers to care for such youngsters. The center also tries to educate the farmers in South Africa and work with them with crop control to eliminate baboon killings.

I went to CARE in the summer of 2006 for one month and fell in love with baboons and realized I wanted to do more to help. I have tried to raise money to help in the past, but have been unsuccessful. The money that I need is $5,000 to pay for my room and board at CARE. Most of that money goes towards providing the baboons with food, enclosures, and formula. The other $1,000 that I need is for my plane ticket to South Africa. I plan on staying at CARE for 15 weeks to make sure I can help look after the infants. I will be posting my photos from the trip that I will share with anyone who donates. Please help me go to South Africa to save the baboons.