Eden Syndrome is the process by which caged primates and birds have been successfully rehabilitated to a wilder state, and allowed greater freedom of movement and choice while remaining captive.

The Eden syndromme process has been successfully used at “Monkeyland “ and Birds of Eden for the rehabilitation of some 400 primates, and several thousand birds and other previously captive
wild animals.

The Eden syndrome is a multi faceted process which is ongoing, and includes the following:

Monitoring caged primates and birds for tell-tale behavioural patterns
These recorded observations, which take place right throughout the pre release period are used for evaluation purposes, and are the most reliable indication of a wild animal’s progress towards readiness for release.

Dehumanizing of primates while still caged
The behaviour of the keepers while in the confinement area of the primates or birds, or within sight of their cages has been identified as the single most important factor to the achievement of a dehumanized animal. In order for this to be effective, keepers are required to abide by previously agreed rules of behaviour and speech. These rules are modified as the primate progresses towards dehumanization and this whole process can be construed to be a form of conditioning or training.

The release into the greater exhibit or
Eden Area
Once a predetermined level of dehumanization has been reached, and the keepers are satisfied that the wild animals are sufficiently ready to advance to a new environment, they are then released into the Eden Arena’s which is ideally large enough for more than at least one territorial area to be formed by a given specie.

Greatly reduced or zero interaction between humans and the primates or birds
Once released into the Eden Arena, interaction is eliminated, the wild animals are left to explore and formulate individual conclusions regarding the new developments in their lives. Feeding techniques are very important in this stage of the process.

Anonymous feeding
Feeding up to this point, while clinical and without vocalization by the keepers must now become a total mystery, and the primates and birds should again be allowed to formulate their own individual opinion as to the origin of food present in the Eden Arena’s. At Monkeyland 15 individual feeding stations are strategically placed within the 12-hectare Eden Arena, Birds of Eden has 28 feeding stations. These feeding stations are serviced at approximately 5.00 AM each morning, while it is still dark, and the primates and birds are still ‘sleeping’ in the forest. The waking primates and birds at first light, descend on these feeding stations to find them fully stocked, the intention here is for the primates and birds to associate the feeding platforms with food, and not food with humans any longer.

Strict human code of conduct
At this point the Eden Syndrome is in full swing, and the only way in which it can be broken down, would be through humanizing the primates and birds through human contact.
To ensure that the above does not occur, a strict code of behaviour and conduct is required by the staff, management and visitors. Touching, feeding, teasing and any other form of direct interaction must be eliminated.

The advantages of introducing the process are equally multi faceted:

• Typical wild and natural behavioural patterns are evident almost immediately

• Natural pairing and group structuring occurs

• Total environmental enrichment becomes a reality

• Absence of pacing, and other stress related behaviour ceases

• Total freedom of association for all troop members
• Greatly increased freedom of movement and
related advantages

• Inter specie acceptance and interaction

• Sharing habitats, skills and knowledge

• Grouping, setting of territories and creating separate group hierarchies

The transferral of knowledge from related and or unrelated species is yet another advantage observed after the introduction of the Eden Syndrome process, the primates and birds have shown greater tolerance and acceptance of each other. This occurs not only within individual species, but also right across the range of species present in their shared or communal habitat. Transferral of knowledge and respect for orders and other species has been noted in the following situations:

• Previously inapt mothers are now raising their own young having been taught by their own and or through the observation of other species

• Skill transferral such as foraging techniques and vegetation knowledge and the utilization thereof, especially regarding the dangers and possible discomfort that can be inflicted by some insects, mammals and birds of prey is immediately noticeable shortly after being released into the Eden Arena’s.

• Hand-reared primates and birds quickly begin to perform specific natural behaviour which where never displayed as part of their normal behaviour prior to the process being implemented.

• Social order amongst these free-roaming primate and free living bird species once established has proved to be more meaningful longer lasting.

• Inter-specie interaction has been observed, this has always been respectful, and where proper specie composition is present, socialization is limited to sharing space knowledge and joint watch keeping against possible predation, especially with regard to birds of prey, snakes and such threats. No hybridization behaviour has been observed at all where the composition of species and groups are correct.

• Call recognition has been observed, in that individuals in different species have learned to identify the different sounds and calls of other species, thus enabling them to distinguish alarm calls from other calls. Observations have been recorded regularly where all species immediately display natural evasive behaviour resulting from the alarm call emanating from another specie.

Eden Syndrome is not only about the advanced state of natural behavioural enrichment, which results from the process, but also the improved quality of the exhibition of the wild animals from a visitor’s perspective. Viewing of species in larger more natural and uninhibited space, combined with natural behaviour in family groups created with a certain level of choice with proper leadership are very rewarding from a viewing prospective.

More often than not, the behaviour of a wild animal will have a more profound impact on a visitor than the presence of the animal itself. When this behaviour is natural behaviour, the entire experience is a far more rewarding and memorable ex experience.