Monkey Helpline needs help making rehab centre a reality

Monkey Helpline is in the process of creating a beautiful new rehabilitation centre for vervet monkeys thanks to the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation and Thula Thula Game Reserve up in Zululand, which have donated land for this project.

In December, the Monkey Helpline team met up with David Bozaz from the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation to view the land available for the project.

The dream is to build three open-air enclosures for the monkeys, a clinic, staff and volunteer accommodation, a kitchen to feed staff and volunteers and an office to run administration.

“Our aim is to build a rehabilitation centre that can cater for local and international volunteers, create local job opportunities and an education programme for school children and adult groups,” said Ellysa van Rensburg, Admin, PR and Volunteer Co-ordinator for Monkey Helpline.

Monkey helpline has three troops that are ready for release, but they need to become accustomed to the land before they are released into the wild. This will take six months from when the monkeys have been relocated to the new area to give them time to settle and get used to their new surroundings before their release.

“It is a very exciting time for Monkey Helpline, but to realise this dream we need donations. We are trying very hard to raise the necessary funds to build and we need the public’s support to make this happen,” said van Rensburg.

If you would like to assist in any way through material donations (second-hand tools, furniture, Gemini huts, or second-hand tennis courts, which can be converted into temporary enclosures), or organise a fundraising event, or donate financially, contact Ellysa at ellysa@monkeyhelpline.co.za or visit their website: https://www.monkeyhelpline.co.za.

EFT Banking Details: Account name: Monkey Helpline, First National Bank – Umhlanga Crescent (branch code 220 629), cheque account number: 624 985 957 70, swift code: FIRNZAJJ, reference: name or email.

Please email use your proof of payment to finance@monkeyhelpline.co.za.