Injured Amanzimtoti monkey rescued from factory
She still has a right orientation and head tilt from the concussion.
An injured monkey that was found at a Toti factory on Thursday morning, 15 October is on the road to recovery. “It broke my heart, seeing this little girl huddled over and barely moving at AECI. She was ice cold from sitting in the warehouse.
When I touched her, she tried to get away, but battled to move. Thankfully the guys called in for assistance and we named her Icy,” said monkey rescuer Shaun Callaghan. “How can anyone hurt an innocent, beautiful creature like that? We don’t deserve this earth. This may have possibly been a vehicle that injured her, but people are shooting, painting, trapping and killing everything, not only monkeys.”
Shaun called Steve Smit and Carol Booth of Monkey Helpline who came to Toti to collect her. She was taken to the Riverside Veterinary Clinic in Durban North for X-rays, where it was found she had a fractured skull, possibly from being hit by a vehicle.
“Baby Icy is doing well. She has eaten by herself today (Thursday) and enjoyed a bunch of grapes and banana. She is still very concussed and circles around, but time will heal. From her injury we presume she either fell or was hit by a car,” said Carol. Icy was treated by Dr Kerry Easson. She was rehydrated, treated for pain and given anti-inflammatory injections.
READ ALSO: Rare white monkey shot in Illovo Beach
The SUN checked in with Carol on Monday morning, 19 October for an update on the young patient. “She is doing very well. She still has a right orientation and head tilt from the concussion. Icy will in all likelihood be a sanctuary monkey if she doesn’t recover fully, but she is eating unassisted and coping well enough to live a good quality of life in a safe environment.”
Monkey Helpline is busy formalising a group of rescue assistants and supporters to help in Toti and surrounds, under Shaun as the group co-ordinator. “We will meet with this group of monkey interested people to discuss the needs of Monkey Helpline and find out how the public can or would like to help. This group will make a huge difference in the lives of the vervet monkeys and help alleviate suffering and missconceptions.” To join the Monkey Helpline Toti support group, email steve@monkeyhelpline.co.za or call Carol on 082-411-5444.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
