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| My son, Levi Thomas, at one year in Florida |
Why I started Monkey Chaser Tours
I always felt at home in the bush as I chased after
wildlife, whether I was collecting fecal samples or monitoring their behaviour. There was something so raw and natural about
life in the jungle, where I found peace amongst the fiery red ants, venomous
snakes and lack of modern day luxuries. I
started Monkey Chaser Tours shortly after I purchased my first home in the
concert jungle called suburbia. My new
jungle of big box stores and 5:00pm traffic left me desiring to return to the
lush green maze of jungle dwelling.
After the birth of my son, however, returning to the vine swinging
monkeys was no longer a practical option nor would it be ideal for my husband
who would be left behind paying our mortgage.
Monkey Chaser Tours is thus my escape back to paradise, which I called
home for such a significant time in my life.
I hope to share my passion for all things monkey, all things wild and
all things natural with a group of people who are just daring enough to
try.
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| Caring for a young howler monkey who was rescued from the pet trade |
Qualifications
EDUCATION
MASTER OF SCIENCE, PRIMATE CONSERVATION
- Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, England
BACHELOR OF ART, PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS)
- Saint Catherine University, Minnesota, United States
YOUNG CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS
- An advanced training course which provided professional development and leadership training for land and water conservation professionals in Ontario.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ONTARIO PARKS, Wasaga Beach, Ontario
- Piping Plover Program Coordinator
- Program and Outreach Coordinator
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS, Thailand
- Project Leader- Led three groups of university students at two conservation-based projects
ISLAND WILDLIFE NATURAL CARE CENTRE, Salt Spring Island, BC
- Staff of non-seals & intern of seals
SPCA WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTRE, Port McNicol, Ontario
- Wildlife Rehabilitator
WILDLIFE CARE CENTRE OF BELIZE, Belmopan, Belize
- Wildlife Rehabilitator
PROJECT GREAT APE, Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon
- Researcher
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| The makings of Monkey Chaser |
Where did the name,
Monkey Chaser, come from?
I was working in Belize for about one month before my first
two days off from the primate rehabilitation center. On a whim, I packed my day pack and set off
for the small island of Caye Caulker for two days of running water, electricity
and of course, sunshine. Having not
brought beach appropriate fashion attire with me from Canada, I stuck out like
a sore thumb in my hiking boots and field clothes. Despite my unsightly appearance, I managed to
meet a nice group of travelers who were touring Central America on what was
described to me as a magical school bus.
For two fantastic days, they took me under their wing and I appropriately
became known as Monkey Chaser.
Why monkeys?
My all inspiring moment came when I was studying psychology
at St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, Minnesota. The subject itself was fascinating but I
lacked the passion for the field. One
night, I was watching a terrible movie (in which I am too embarrassed to name)
and there were a few inspiring scenes involving a lonely gorilla stuck within
the confines of a poorly designed zoo.
I had always loved animals but it was at that moment the fire within was
ignited. Cheesy sounding, I know, but the
chain reaction of this moment quickly spread like an out of control virus to
all aspects of my life. Within six
months, I became a vegetarian/vegan and while I continued on course with
psychology until graduation, I went on to purse a Masters of Science in Primate
Conservation. Does this, however,
explain why monkeys and not penguins? Not
really but I am still searching for the answer to that question.
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| Why monkeys? |
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