Vervet monkey spotted at James & Ethel Grey Park in Melrose
Locals on community messaging groups were abuzz with photos and videos of the solitary animal roaming the grounds, but they have been urged to keep their distance.
Residents have been urged to stay calm and keep their distance from a vervet monkey spotted roaming James & Ethel Grey Park in Melrose on September 7.
The Melrose, Birdhaven and Oaklands WhatsApp groups were abuzz with videos and photos of the animal roaming the park alone.
Community Led Animal Welfare founder Cora Bailey said it was not unusual to spot a vervet monkey in a suburb. “The males usually leave their troops and move in search of another troop to prevent inbreeding.
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Sometimes they move four to six times a year, and usually use waterways to avoid human beings but will be visible from time to time,” said Bailey.
She added that the animals’ natural instinct to keep moving sometimes led them into parks and residential properties, where pets, such as dogs, could pose a danger.
“Unfortunately, they sometimes get injured by people who have superstitions, but there is no need to panic when human beings come into contact with them because they are also scared of humans,” said Bailey.
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