A PAIR of keen conservationists are leaving behind the South Lakeland winter and heading for the lush jungles of Sri Lanka to take part in a primate study.

Kendal women Valerie Macconnell and Mary Ullrich fly out to south Asia next month to work alongside leading scientists and fellow volunteers in a study of the macaque society.

The two-week trip will see the women based in Polonnaruwa famed for its ruined ancient temples where they will share the jungle with the brightly-coloured monkeys, elephants and wild boar.

The project, which aims to unravel the mystery of the evolution of primate social behaviour, is one of many of the lottery-funded schemes run by environmental charity Earthwatch. The scheme allows over 50s without specialist knowledge to get involved in international conservation projects.

An avid fan of wildlife documentaries, Miss Macconnell is a basic skills tutor for young people. She will be studying the many facets of the monkeys' behaviour from grooming habits to primal clashes:

"I have always been interested in the environment and wildlife. We will be studying the monkeys to see how social behaviour affects survival of the gene and how we select partners."

Well-travelled Miss Macconnell has trekked in Peru and Mexico and has been involved in charity work she set up the Kendal project to bring over 22 refugees from Sarajevo during the Bosnian war:

"It's great to be involved in something I thought I would never be involved in. Being a part of this is bringing me into a world I only ever expected to watch on TV.

"I'm going to really enjoy the cultural change and learning research skills."

Ms Ullrich has worked in wildlife conservation and was the north of England co-ordinator for the Vincent Wildlife Trust on the otter haven project.

She too has travelled to remote parts - running a homeopathic mobile clinic in the Congo several years ago and is looking forward to conservation work in another culture:

"I'll enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world and seeing how conservation work is carried out in another culture.

On their return from the Tropics the women will draw up a community action plan and put their knowledge and experience to work within local conservation volunteering projects.

February 13, 2003 10:30