Vervet population decreases dramatically

THE urban vervet monkey population is dropping drastically, Carol Booth, spokesperson for the Monkey Helpline said today.

Booth was commenting after an infant ververt, who they named Sally-Ann,  was rescued in Kloof last week. She said the non-profit organisation, that she runs its the founder, Steve Smit was inudated on a daily basis with calls about injured or dead ververt monkeys from around the city.  They respond to more than a thousand  rescue call-outs every year.

“The claim that there is a population explosion of monkeys is totally false. Urban monkeys are regular victims of car strikes, dog attacks, high voltage electrocutions, air gun and other shootings, razor wire injuries, deliberate poisonings, or being trapped or snared for ‘bush-meat’ or ‘muti’,” she said.

The passionate resident said about 50 per cent of the monkeys are dead on arrival, die en-route or have to be euthanased at the vet. “Consider that only in her fourth year can a  female vervet give birth. Research indicates that only one out or every four babies will reach adulthood,”

What’s more said Booth, because of the dry spell, monkeys are struggling to find food and palatable water. “So  they are spending more time around suburban homes and gardens, thereby increasing their vulnerability,” added Booth.

She said the period between September and December was female vervet’s birthing period.  Every year they received numerous calls about  heavily pregnant females or mothers carrying their baby’s, who had been knocked by cars of or attacked by dogs.

Last week the duo rescued a pregnant female vervet monkey from Ronan Road in La Lucia, whose lower body had been paralysed by an air gun pellet. The traumatized and suffering monkey was later euthanised. Her unborn baby also died with her.

Hope was restored that same week when they rescued Sally-Ann, who at the time was two days old.  Sally-Ann’s mother was killed by a dog. The tiny vervet was the team’s first baby rescue, since the beginning of the parturition period.

For assistance or advice regarding monkeys, or to make a donation, contact Steve on 082 659 4711 or Carol on 082 411 5444.