Mtuba street vendor saves baby monkey

AN orphaned baby Vervet Monkey is currently being cared for by CROW (Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife) after being rescued by a local vendor.

Nkosinathi Mabaso found the traumatised week-old monkey in some shrubbery in the Mtubatuba area recently.

He suspects the youngster was orphaned after its mother had been killed by an informal hunting party with hunting dogs.

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Mabaso is known in his community for his conservation efforts and instilling among locals a philosophy of always putting back what one takes out from nature, such as planting a new tree if one is cut down.

He knew right away that the young Vervet needed care and treatment that he would be unable to give, so he took to the Internet and posted a notice on local Facebook page, Parks and Wildlife – Zululand (PAWZ).

His post was well received and many locals offered to collect the little monkey from his roadside stall.

After the post was spotted by CROW’s Primate Officer, Mabel Watts and Zululander Irene Liversage, who acts as a CROW representative, they knew immediately they needed to get the monkey to CROW where he could receive proper care until he is ready for release.

When Liversage arrived, Mabaso asked if he could have the honour of naming him Themba, which means Hope.

‘All I want is for Themba to grow up and become a strong, free ‘man’ with many children and wives,’ said Mabaso.

‘We are extremely grateful to Nkosinathi and his family for being so caring towards young Themba and helping to ensure he was afforded a second chance at a free life in the wild,’ said CROW’s Marketing and Communications Officer, Paul Hoyte.

‘Many people try to keep wild animals as pets after such a tragic incident and don’t take into consideration what is best for the animal.’

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