Vervet Monkey Rescue & Rehabilitation

Established in 2002 the centre has successfully returned many animals back to the wild. Every year many Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus Aethiops) are displaced, injured or orphaned. The aim is to see as many of these monkeys as possible returned to their natural environment. 

 There are approximately 70 monkeys -these include the adult monkey troops in rehabilitation enclosures-  to care for at any given time so lots of work to do!

During the baby season the orphans are reliant on round the clock care and love. The tactile interaction is of utmost importance to the development of young infants as monkeys are such highly social creatures and as they no longer have their own mothers and families to provide this care for them, the task must now fall upon us as to step in and takeover this roll. The number of rescued baby monkeys varies every year anywhere from 5 to 15 babies at a time throughout the baby season. The baby season runs through October till March – roughly South Africa’s spring and summer months- and it is the busiest time of the year so volunteers are always appreciated for extra hands-on help

As this is a rehabilitation and release centre and not a sanctuary as such, human contact with the monkeys especially in the rehabilitation stage, is avoided as much as possible. However, whilst the baby monkeys are under three to four months of age, they would be under the care of their Vervet mother and during this early stage we are her substitute. 

If you are a researcher, honours, masters or post-doctorate student, you are also welcome to further your research on the project. All the research that is conducted at the center is non-invasive  and the studies don’t harm the monkeys in any way.

A few examples of research that has been carried out in the past by students:

• General behavioural studies
• Alarm call recognition in captive primates
•  Faecal bacteria content of wild monkeys versus monkeys in captivity
• Self recognition in primates
• Cognitive capacity and image discrimination in wild versus captive vervet monkeys
• ​And even a photography student completing a project on primate hands and feet

 7.30am- It's an early start and before the humans get to eat, the monkey's food is prepared

8.00am- Now it is your turn to sit down and have a nice breakfast to see you through the day

9am to 12pm- Daily duties (see below)

12pm- Break for lunch and a catch up

13.30pm- It's time now for the babies to go to the main enclosures and make sure they are clean. All part of the rehabilitation process

15pm- Collect vegetables from the garden

15.30pm- Time to scatter some monkey feed to encourage their natural behaviour of foraging

16 to 18pm-  The best part of the day spending some time with the adorable baby Vervet Monkeys

18.30pm- Just like human babies, monkey babies need to be put to bed

19pm- Time to relax, contemplate about the day and have a good South African style supper

Your daily duties may include:

• assist with maintenance pertinent to the monkeys
• monitor and observe monkeys in the enclosure and report any incidents should they occur
• collection and sorting of food
• replanting and maintenance of the vegetable garden used for monkey feed
• keeping of feed storage areas clean and tidy
• preparation of food – chopping fresh produce and preparing “dry” foods
• washing of feed bowls and food prep area
• delivering of afternoon nuts and seed treats to the enclosures
• Enrichment projects for mental and physical stimulation of captive primates 

Your daily duties in baby season may include:

• preparing of infant formulae as frequent as every two hours
• washing and sterilising of bottles
• bottle feeding of babies
• cleaning baby sleep boxes
• keeping baby play-pen clean and hygienic
• washing baby blankets
• assisting with introduction to a troop
• ..and of course falling absolutely in love with these delicate little imps