Mission to build new monkey sanctuary

Monkey Helpline founders Steve Smit and Carol Booth are raising funds to rebuild the Monkey Helpline Primate Rehabilitation and Sanctuary Centre.

The centre was established in Camperdown eight years ago after Monkey Helpline was offered ten hectares of land on a 99-year lease at the Mayibuye Game Reserve off the Lion Park Road.

But owing to land grabs in the area it is no longer safe to keep the centre there, the reason for looking for a new location.

Monkey Helpline has a strong link with Ballito, where a team of volunteers go out daily to help monkeys in and around the town.

Steve said they need R7-million to buy land and build a facility to keep the monkeys safe.

They have already managed to raise R500 000 and hope public contributions can help them achieve their goal.

Steve and Carol spent years of hardship – with the help of many people – to build the first four large double enclosures for monkeys at Camperdown, as well as an 18-cage clinic facility for the rehabilitation and release of adult Vervet males.

Two wooden cottages for staff and visitors, an ablution block, equipment and food storage facilities and two 5 000-litre water storage tanks were eventually added.

But all this will become undone as land encroachment progresses.

“We now need to buy land and rebuild the centre again. A trust will be set up. As much as Carol and I started Monkey Helpline, we will not own the centre. It will be in the hands of the trust,” said Steve.

For more information on how to help, email kiron@monkeyhelpline.co.za or visit www.monkeyhelpline.co.za.

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