The young male vervet monkey reported last week to be roaming around Horison and Discovery has been rescued in Witpoortjie after evading animal welfare officials.

Owner and founder of Community Led Animal Welfare (Claw) Cora Bailey told the Roodepoort Record that the monkey showed no interest in the baited trap they set out for it near the Finch Street water tower.

Challenges with placing the specially baited trap on the grounds of the water tower forced Bailey to seek an alternative spot, resulting in the vervet slipping away.

Male vervet monkeys are known to be exiled by the troop’s alpha male once they reach sexual maturity. They then migrate, often travelling great distances in search of a troop of their own.

“Unfortunately, this regularly results in them ending up in residential areas where there are many dangers for them,” said Bailey.

Spotted in Witpoortjie

According to Bailey, a telephone call on Saturday, October 17, renewed their hope of successfully rescuing the vervet.

A family in Witpoortjie reported finding the monkey in their tree, prompting Bailey to rush to the scene, where she discovered it was the same animal.

• Read the initial article here: CLAW tracks elusive young male vervet monkey in Horison and Discovery

This time, things went exactly according to plan.

“We put out the trap, and within minutes, the monkey walked right into it,” said Bailey. “We are extremely grateful to the family that alerted us.”

Safe release planned

The monkey is currently housed at Claw’s premises in Durban Deep, from where it will undergo necessary medical checks before being released in a more appropriate, safe area, where its chances of integrating into a new troop are much higher.