UMassGives 2023

The Comparative Primatology Lab in the Department of Anthropology at UMass, in conjunction with the Kasanka Baboon Project (KBP), is raising funds to support our colleagues in Zambia further their educational goals. KBP is a long-term field site where UMass researchers and others are devoted to studying the behavior and ecology of Kinda baboons at Kasanka National Park (KNP), Zambia. In addition, part of the project includes training and working with KNP scouts (i.e., park rangers), as well as members of the greater community. 

Earlier this year we raised funds to help scout Schimo Banda attend the South African Wildlife College to earn a certificate in resource management. Now, we are raising funds to support the other scouts assisting our project for their future educational opportunities.

Attending college and/or engaging in other types of educational opportunities can be life-changing for these hardworking scouts and their families by offering job security and chances to advance in their careers. It also benefits the project and the Park in the long term, including conservation efforts. For example, by attending the wildlife college and earning the resource management certificate, Banda will acquire the practical skills needed to facilitate effective cooperation with local communities and resource management within the park and game management area surrounding the park. Donations to our scouts' education and training will provide tremendous help to the individual people but also to the research project, Park, and surrounding communities.