SOME Amanzimtoti residents are still of the belief that painting a monkey will deter its troop from your area, as another painted vervet monkey was spotted on Wednesday, 6 June in Adams Road, near the stables.
Fortunately a joint effort saw this harmed animal, who fell pray to an old wive’s tale, captured whereafter it underwent rehabilitative treatment.
A Facebook post had alerted the community to be on the look-out for this animal, which appeared to have been completely dipped in white paint, in the stables area of Amanzimtoti. In no time the message had spread far enough to reach those who would assist.
This is not the first vervet monkey to have been the recipient of this cruel act. Other monkeys that fell prey to the same idiocy either died or required euthanisation after being poisoned by the toxic, suffocating paint.
A joint effort by the concerned members of the area saw the little vervet Lola, as she has now been affectionately called, safely captured and rushed to the vet for treatment. All attempts to strip the paint from her coat failed dismally and the vet had to eventually shave all her hair off, as it became like concrete, which would starve her skin of oxygen and stop her pores from breathing.
Concerned monkey lovers should know that Lola is now comfortable, warm and eating loads which has taken her caretaker, Umsizi Vervet Rescue’s Tracy Rowles, by surprise.
“It’s going to take quite some time before Lola is released,” explained Tracy. “Due to being shaved, she is now sitting in a cage in front of a heater. Sadly when she is eventually returned she will probably lose ranking in the troop but I will worry about that when the time comes.”
Lola recovering well:
Tracy rubbished the thinking behind the painted monkey myth.
“When one paints a monkey, the troop does not run away, as people seem to think,” explained Tracy. “All that happens is the monkey not only suffers from the paint, but is a subject of being bitten and ostracised from its own troop. It is a very cruel act inflicted by a person who thinks they are merely ‘clever’ but in fact has no idea how monkeys behave.”
Watch: Baby monkey receives some love after leg injury rehab
Tracy thanked Lezanne for reporting the spotting, and Selena and Nicola from the stables who proved instrumental in Lola’s capture. She further extended her gratitude to Dr Biden and Lynette Cox from Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic, for always assisting the organisation.
Follow the Umsizi Vervet Rescue on Facebook or contact Tracy Rowles on 072-833-5119.
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