Belabo
Meet Belabo
During my visit to Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon, I wanted to adopt a primate. Easy? No way – there are so many there, and I fell in love with them all.
I spent a couple of weeks trying to figure out which one to adopt [not that it makes any difference, the funds generated are pooled anyway], and in the end I went for this little guy.
Many visitors adopt primates while visiting the centre [especially western visitors who can afford to], but the majority of them opt for a great ape, mandrill or drill, so that ruled out about 60 animals as I wanted to go for one that generated less income for the centre.
So that left the Guenons, Baboons and a few Mangabeys.
The baboons and Mangabeys all live with troops [lots of company] so that ruled them out – I was thinking I would go for one that had things a little more difficult in life.
There are about 20 guenons at LWC, and apart from 7 Preuss’s Guenons, they all live together, but only this one – Belabo is a lone species at the centre. He lives happily with the other guenons, but is the only one of his kind – so I chose him.
He is a Crowned Guenon and is called Belabo after the name of the town he was rescued from [his mother probably killed and sold for Bushmeat and him destined for the pet trade to be sold to the highest bidder].
Belabo is a happy soul – he spends much of his day playing with the other guenons, but on occasion he sits and plays with his crown and purrs to himself. I used to watch him doing this and couldnt help but wonder if he was just missing his own kind.
Available for sale as Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Julie Langford
,
6 months ago
ApeArt, 6 months ago
Oh Jul he is lovely. I want to cuddle him! Will give him your love when I see him ))
Linda Syms, 6 months ago
Beautiful capture Julie great pofile
Julie Langford
in reply to ApeArt’s comment,
6 months ago
Thanks Jane – A full update on this little fella would be awesome
Julie Langford
in reply to Linda Syms’s comment,
6 months ago
Thanks Linda – I love this photograph. The original has fence strewn over most of his face [good old clone tool], but even that shows his loving expression.
hilarydougill, 6 months ago
Absolutely glorious capture and monkey.What a sweetheart. a beautiful colour and wondrous expression. Lovely story about him, bless you for being so kind
Julie Langford
in reply to hilarydougill’s comment,
6 months ago
Thanks Hilary – he is an absolute sweetie,
Tammy Soulliere, 6 months ago
Definitely a face the world needs to see, mostly understand the expression.. Most excellent capture in every way..
Robin Webster, 6 months ago
Just wonderful work Julie! Amazing detail!
Steve Bullock, 6 months ago
Wow, amazing!
BuddyH, 6 months ago
fantastic!
Patricia L. Ba..., 6 months ago
I can see why you adopted him. Such a sweet sensitive face.
Forest Friends..., 6 months ago
Very cute, can’t say I’ve ever seen one of these before!
tomg, 6 months ago
Wonderful portrait and the story is wonderful also …
Gregory Ewanowich, 6 months ago
Beautiful portraiture Julie.Very nice, crisp detail and color.
Anthony Hedger, 6 months ago
what a dear little fellow Julie all hugable
ECGardner, 6 months ago
Belabo is gorgeous… He does look content but also reflective… I imagine he has some lonely moments where he wonders about his place in things. Beautifully captured, Jul, and thank you for sharing his story.
AnGeLLe, 6 months ago
Pinch those cheeks :) Nice shot
davidmilne, 6 months ago
Stunning close up Julie,with a feeling of sadness!!
Sean Farragher, 6 months ago
fantastic capture
Ellen, 6 months ago
Very beautiful portrait!
photos40, 6 months ago
Beautifully captured image.
DawsonImages, 6 months ago
Looks deep in thought, nice lighting as well
Walter Colvin, 6 months ago
Nice capture Julie, great jab.
Ken Mucke, 6 months ago
what an amazing trip that must have been for you…I think you made a wise choice…he is very handsome and love the profile that you took of him…really great and reqarding shot
funkyfacestudio, 6 months ago
What an adorable little guy, nice work !
Lucindawind, 6 months ago
oh my ..hes soooo cute ..I never heard of this kind before
justlinda, 6 months ago
Wonderful portrait, such detail!.
Caroline Bland, 6 months ago
What a sweetiepie
Gerguppy, 6 months ago
what a cute little critter, he looks intelligent and very careful in his thoughts, terrific capture of him and thank you for giving him love :)
AnaCBStudio, 6 months ago
Very nice details and colors…beautiful capture
aphoto4you, 6 months ago
oh Julie this is beautiful…great detailed work…
Antanas, 6 months ago
perfect exposure
wayne davies, 6 months ago
wonderful shot
pryere, 6 months ago
Superb shot and backstory, he does look deep in thought.
Nancy Fischer, 6 months ago
let me know if you need a babysitter! He’s adorable.
Lisa G. Putman, 6 months ago
Beautiful, Julie! I love the dark Background. Great details. Great looking animal!
amarica, 6 months ago
Wonderful capture, so clear and great colors Julie
Sophie Shapiro, 6 months ago
This is absolutely lovely…You have really caught the Spirit of this beautiful creature!S
budrfli, 6 months ago
He is so beautiful, you captured his heart! and mine! each strand of fur, amazing!
TrEaSuReDiMaGeS, 5 months ago
Ohhhhh Juls he is magnificent!!! And an absolutely exceptional shot!!! :-)) Bravo!!