A helping hand offered to vervet monkeys in eManzana
Helping Hands 4 Wildlife boasts with a track record of over 100 rehabilitated vervet monkeys being released into the wild.
Vervet monkeys are adorable, especially as babies, and it’s understandable that many people yearn to raise them.
However, you only create more problems, not only for the animal, but the whole household, says Nicky Horn, manager of Helping Hands 4 Wildlife near eManzana. “Young monkeys can develop serious issues like aggression or behavioural problems, making it harder to reintroduce them into the wild.”
This rehabilitation centre is the only one in Mpumalanga dedicated to the rescuing and rehabilitation of primates.
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“It is thus crucial for the care of orphaned, injured and stressed wildlife, especially vervet monkeys, to be brought to us as soon as possible. Unlike other centres that release animals into fenced areas, we aim to rehabilitate vervet monkeys and release them back into the wild,” says Horn. “This process is complex and can take up to four years to help the monkeys integrate back into their natural habitat.”
Baby vervets are brought up to the age of 18 months. After that, no human contact is allowed. Horn says it is against the law to keep wild animals without a permit from the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency. “Moving these animals across provincial borders is also illegal, as it can spread diseases.”
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She says they are proud of their track record, having released over 100 vervet monkeys back into the wild.
If an orphaned or injured vervet monkey is found, Horn must be contacted on 071 516 0131.
