WILD LIFERS: Jane of Waterfall speaks to the tall tailless

Jane, a baboon from the soon-to-be-captured Waterfall troop, writes a letter to the humans who plan to capture her and other members of their troop. She expresses her fear of being taken away and placed in an enclosure with no way to return to their natural habitat. Jane explains that their ancestors shared a common lineage before diverging into separate paths, and that she and her fellow baboons hold onto their roots despite the changes imposed by humans.

She emphasizes the bond between baboons and their territory, noting that they have lived in the mountains for centuries before roads and urban development arrived. The baboons' homes and resources have been encroached upon, with gardens, orchards, and valuable spaces claimed by humans. Jane argues that the baboons' presence in human homes is a source of fear for the residents, but also highlights the baboons' intelligence and adaptability.

She points out the discrepancies in the humans' expectations - they want baboons to be safe, yet the conditions of the planned enclosure seem inadequate. Jane discusses the enclosure's lack of windows, which would prevent the baboons from ever experiencing the outside world, and questions the fairness of this arrangement. She expresses hope for alternatives, such as securing food sources and implementing fences that allow for coexistence between humans and baboons.

Jane ends her letter by mentioning two young females, Erin and Shreya, who are advocating for a more compassionate approach to sharing the land with wild animals. She hopes that more people will consider the baboons' right to remain wild and free.