Colobus Conservation

What Colobus Conservation does

Colobus Conservation is a not-for-profit conservation organization headquartered in Diani, Kenya, founded in 1997 to protect the endangered Angolan black-and-white colobus monkey and other primate species along Kenya's south coast. The organization runs a portfolio of programs addressing primate welfare threats including road mortality on the nine-kilometer Diani Beach Road (mitigated via speed bumps and Colobridges), electrocution from uninsulated power lines (in partnership with KPLC since 2017), poaching and snaring, and human-wildlife conflict. It also operates primate rescue, rehabilitation, and release services responding to more than 500 monkeys in distress annually, reforestation initiatives planting 500+ indigenous trees per season, and school-based environmental education reaching 36 schools and over 1,000 students per year.

The organization has developed proprietary Colobridge technology, aerial canopy bridges specifically engineered for primate crossing, using T-bars, Cassuarina poles, galvanized wire runners, and a combination of hard pressure pipe rungs (45 cm) and softer rubber pipe rungs (30 cm) for primate grip. Bridges are estimated to support 32,600 crossings over their operational lifetime. Colobus Conservation holds AZA Colobus Species Survival Plan (SSP) accreditation and has been a member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) since 2012, with strategic partners including WWF, Greenville Zoo, Drusillas Park, IPPL, GEF, Safarilink Aviation, and Kenya Wildlife Service.

The organization is completely publicly funded and operates a diversified revenue model across donations, an Adopt-a-Monkey program ($45/KES4,500 per adoption), volunteer placement fees ($375/week standard, $300/week for extended stays), tree and bridge sponsorship ($10 per tree), membership programs, M-Pesa mobile money donations, and event-based fundraising including the annual Golf on the Beach tournament and Colobus Awareness Day. Its customer base spans local Diani residents and businesses (400+ engaged), Kwale County schools, international volunteers, eco-tourism stakeholders, and a global community of conservation donors and adopters.

Name

Colobus Conservation

Legal name

Colobus Conservation

Website

https://colobusconservation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Colobus Conservation is a Kenya-based non-profit founded in 1997 that protects endangered Angolan black-and-white colobus monkeys and other primates along Kenya's south coast through rescue, rehabilitation, proprietary Colobridge canopy bridges, reforestation, school education, and community coexistence programs, funded by donations, adoptions, and volunteer fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Diani

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Colobus Conservation is completely publicly funded and relies on donations from individuals, organizations, and supporters. The organization conducts various fundraising activities including the Annual Golf on the Beach event, general fundraising campaigns, and specific project donations. Donations can be made via MPESA (mobile money) or other channels, and can be directed toward specific programs like Education Program, Animal Welfare, Cruise for Colobus, or Relocation.
2. Adopt-a-Monkey Program: The organization offers adoption packages for orphaned or rescued monkeys at $45 or KES4,500. Adopters receive an adoption certificate, free entry pass, photo and factsheet, and email updates on the monkey's journey. This provides recurring engagement and revenue from supporters.
3. Volunteer Program Fees: Volunteers pay weekly fees starting at $375 per week for stays up to 12 weeks, with reduced rates of $300 per week for longer stays. The fee covers accommodation (single-sex dormitory), three meals daily, housekeeping, laundry, airport transfers (Ukunda only), WiFi, security, and training. A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required upon placement confirmation.
4. Tree and Bridge Sponsorship: Supporters can sponsor indigenous tree planting at $10 per tree or adopt a colobridge to support annual maintenance costs. This allows donors to make targeted contributions to specific conservation infrastructure.
5. Membership Program: The organization offers membership opportunities for individuals wishing to join the conservation community, providing ongoing engagement and support for the organization's mission and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Colobus Conservation is a not-for-profit conservation organization that protects endangered primates — especially the Angolan black-and-white colobus monkey — and their coastal habitats along Kenya's south coast through rescue, rehabilitation, and release services; Colobridge canopy bridge infrastructure for safe road crossing; community coexistence programs; school-based environmental education; and reforestation. The organization funds these activities via public donations, fundraising events, an Adopt-a-Monkey program, a paid Volunteer Program, memberships, and partner grants.

Product overview

Colobus Conservation is a not-for-profit conservation organization offering a portfolio of primate protection and habitat restoration programs. The core offerings include animal welfare services (road injury prevention, electrocution mitigation, anti-poaching, rehabilitation & release, pest management), environmental education, community support, and reforestation. Supporting programs include an Adopt a Monkey sponsorship scheme, volunteer placement packages, membership, and various fundraising events (Golf on the Beach, Annual Colobus Awareness Day, Tree Planting Drives). Infrastructure products include Colobridges (aerial canopy bridges) and associated construction guides. Donations are facilitated via M-Pesa mobile payments. The organization provides educational publications including strategic plans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Short-term and long-term primate rehabilitation services including medical treatment, quarantine, behavioral reintroduction, and post-release monitoring for at least one year, addressing primates rescued from electrocution, road accidents, displacement, illness, pet trade, and snares. Service is delivered free of charge to the community and supporting partners in the Diani area.
• Road Injuries & Mortalities Prevention Program that addresses primate road deaths through speed bumps, aerial Colobridges, and 'go slow' campaigns along the nine-kilometer Diani Beach Road stretch. Designed for the local Diani community, road users, and primate populations.
• Primate Electrocution Mitigation Program delivered in partnership with Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to replace uninsulated power lines with insulated ones and relocate transformers responsible for primate electrocutions. Since 2017, 12 km of uninsulated lines have been replaced.
• Anti-Poaching & De-snaring Community education and de-snaring activities that dismantle and remove traps and snares laid to capture primates and other wildlife, delivered in coordination with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for the Diani community.
• Pest Management & Conflict Mitigation Human-primate conflict mitigation through training, awareness programs, proper waste management education, and non-lethal deterrent methods for Diani residents, businesses, and farmers experiencing monkey foraging on their property.
• Reforestation Program Indigenous forest conservation and regeneration program for local communities, schools, and eco-tourism stakeholders, delivered through community tree planting workshops (minimum 500 trees per session), a tree nursery, and an indigenous tree species catalog. Tree sponsorship available at $10 per tree.
• Environmental Education Program School-based conservation education program offered free of charge to schools in Kwale County. Reaches 36 schools and over 1,000 students annually through weekly visits to the center, Wildlife Club establishment, classroom resources, and teacher training.
• Community Support Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ monkeys rescued annually from electrocution, road accidents, displacement, and illness
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Colobus Conservation works closely with KPLC to address primate electrocutions. In 2017, KPLC replaced 12 km of uninsulated power lines with insulated ones and relocated several transformers responsible for repeated electrocutions. This ongoing partnership continues to make Diani a safer place for primates.
• Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012PASA is the largest coalition of wildlife centers and sanctuaries across Africa with 23 member organizations in 13 countries. Colobus Conservation has been a member since 2012, affirming commitment to global best practices in wildlife care and conservation.
• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF supports Colobus Conservation in protecting primates and restoring coastal forest habitats along Kenya's South Coast. Together, they promote sustainable coexistence between people and wildlife through conservation and community engagement initiatives.
• Greenville ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreenville Zoo is committed to conserving wildlife through education, collaboration, and community engagement. They support protection of Vulnerable primates and their habitats while advancing human-wildlife conflict mitigation initiatives that benefit both local communities and biodiversity.
• Zoo- und Tierparkservice (German Wildlife Service)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2016 by Markus Köchling, the organization mainly focuses on Partnership for species diversity, animal husbandry, and park management.
• Drusillas ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrusillas Park recognises that effective wildlife conservation depends on strong partnerships and community involvement. Through their support of Colobus Conservation, they have played a vital role in protecting Kenya's endangered primates, supporting wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, conservation education, and habitat protection initiatives.
• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColobus Conservation works together with Kenya Wildlife Service to inform and educate the community about poaching implications, and the team conducts de-snaring activities in the area, dismantling and removing traps and snares laid to capture primates and other wildlife.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• African Wildlife Foundation: Pan-African conservation organization with strong Kenya footprint (including coastal forest work). Operates habitat protection, anti-poaching, and community engagement programs in overlapping geographies and conservation priorities.
• Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Large Kenyan conservancy running wildlife rescue, community programs, and primate sanctuaries (including Sweetwaters). Comparable community-led and education outreach models within the same Kenyan conservation landscape.

Direct peers

• Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary: PASA-member primate sanctuary in Sierra Leone focused on chimpanzee rescue, rehabilitation, and release. Directly comparable in mission (primate welfare, community education) and operational model (volunteer programs, adopt-an-animal schemes, eco-tourism engagement).
• Limbe Wildlife Centre: PASA-member wildlife rehabilitation centre in Cameroon focused on primates and other endangered species. Operates similar rescue-to-release pipelines, environmental education, and volunteer programs in a developing-country context.
• Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary: Kenya-based chimpanzee sanctuary within Ol Pejeta Conservancy providing lifelong refuge and rehabilitation. Shares the primate welfare mission and operates within the same national conservation ecosystem.
• Ape Action Africa: PASA-member primate rescue and rehabilitation organization in Cameroon, focused on great apes. Comparable in operating model (rescue, rehabilitation, release, volunteer programs, education) and nonprofit funding structure.

Broad incumbents

• Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: Specialized primate conservation organization protecting gorillas with similar community, research, and habitat protection pillars. Comparable primate-focused scope but operating at significantly larger scale.
• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): Existing strategic partner and the largest global conservation NGO. WWF Kenya supports primate and coastal forest programs that overlap directly with Colobus Conservation's coastal forest and primate conservation work.
• Jane Goodall Institute: Global primate and habitat conservation organization with broad programs across Africa. Overlaps significantly with Colobus Conservation's mission (primate protection, community-led conservation, education), but at vastly larger scale.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Major global conservation NGO with field programs across Africa including primate-rich habitats. Competes for similar donor and institutional funding pools and overlaps on community-based conservation methodology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colobusconservation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colobus Conservation