Nelson, and rhinos: A kind lady wrote recently with a cheque for Nelson and the other camels which helped me walk up through the Namib Desert, in Namibia. I've forwarded it to Save the Rhino International, who are using the camels to patrol the Rhino domain, and support their wardens' camps, in their valuable work combating poachers. Nelson, Jan and Andreas are reported to be well, though would probably prefer not to do another three and a half month trek… Anyone interested in furthering the work of Save the Rhino International, (along with Survival International I gave them a portion of my royalties from The Skeleton Coast) please contact info@savetherhino.org, or to learn more visit www.savetherhino.org.


I'm keen to spread the word about three particularly worthwhile bodies I've been trying to assist in 2002 - both see the importance of conservation through co-operation with local, indigenous peoples.

Shinai Serjali, a non-profit, grass-roots organisation supports indigenous peoples in the rainforests of South East Peru "who are dealing with the rapid social and environmental changes associated with their first direct interactions with national society and work to safeguard the interests of those who currently avoid any such interaction" (see www.serjali.org). I first became involved in 2000 as a patron to a Cambridge University expedition to the region, and have become more and more impressed by the work of the UK and Peru based volunteers running the organisation that emerged from it. They are in URGENT need of money, and I'll gladly match any donation sent by you to Shinai Serjali - let's say up to a total limit of £500, just for now, as I'm presently almost broke. Any money at all would be greatly appreciated by the volunteers, but also the Nahua people of the region, now threatened by logging, gas exploration and so on.
For details about the project, please contact serjali@serjali.org or go to their website at www.serjali.org.

If you would like to make a donation, please make cheques payable to "Shinai Serjali" and send to:
Gregor MacLennan, 85 Sandpit Lane, St Albans, AL1 4EY
- and remember to mention Benedict Allen in your correspondence.

Aside from the above gesture, I'm sending a £250 to kick-start this new drive for funds. Anyone feel like doing the same, to start 2003 on a good note?

The Orangutan Foundation: I happened to be patron of the Red Ape Trail, an initiative whereby responsible tourists trek through the forests to raise money for Orang conservation in Sarawak, with co-operation of the local Ibans through a Community Development Fund. I've now received news that this first trail has been completed - participants saw orangs, gibbons, hornbills, and no doubt much else besides. This organisation (info@orangutan.org.uk), directed by Ashley Leiman, would, I'm sure, welcome any money you feel you can donate! For anyone interested, I suspect another trek is already being planned.

The Kirekat Foundation - for more information write to bea.bouman@planet.nl - was set up largely by Yan Rienks, who was our invaluable informant and guide during the BBC TV series (and book) Last of the Medicine Men, when producer John Hesling and I stayed with the Mentawai, in Siberut. Now the island, positioned off Sumatra, is facing an ecological crisis - with illegal and legal logging happening now on a grand scale. Some of you may remember the warmth and generosity of such characters as Aman Maun and Amam Direkgogo (whose dad, you may recall, gave me a rather large tattoo). Any help you can give this organisation, to assist saving a unique island from what is a terrible crime, would of course be appreciated - by the Mentawai, but also personally by me. Survival International, (www.survival-international.org), have also been involved in the struggle to save the island's forests and people from exploitation. (see the attached article, Guardian, October 18th 2000).

The ecologically unique island of Siberut in Indonesia is threatened by a modern 'sickness'.
Benedict Allen reports - Read Guardian Article.

Some of you may remember the Little Stars, the band of deaf dancers whom I met with Ruhi Hamid, the producer of the Last of the Medicine Men project in Tuva, which is more-or-less north of Mongolia. I've heard no news for a while, but the donation I promised (some of my proceeds from the Last of the Medicine Men book) has been put to good use - new dresses were made, and they definitely have been on tour out there, somewhere.