LOVE them or hate them, vervet monkeys are an integral part of the South Coast and people here have to learn to live with them.
The resident troop at Mbango was becoming problematic, the monkeys frequently raiding homes in search of food. Now Mbango conservationists believe they have found a workable solution.
In July, with the assistance of vervet expert Sandy Burrell of Monkey Helpline, Mbango’s resident conservationist Peter Moberly and Jamie Demetriou of Maintenance and Housing set up an artificial feeding table for the troop, en route to their ‘raiding grounds’. Fruit and Veg City have come on board, donating on a weekly basis a stunning variety of fruit and vegetables. Many Mbango residents also supply titbits and Mary Sanesy of Villa Bruno has donated a fridge to the project so that extra food can be preserved until it is needed
A very important survey on the effectiveness of the project is now under way but those involved believe the feeding table is already proving a success.
“We have had enquiries from local people, retirement homes and companies interested in setting up similar projects,” said Anne Lambert, who is in charge of gardens and conservation at Mbango.
She thanked everyone involved in the project, including Peter and his wife, June, who had taken on the task of seeing to the project’s administrative work.
She pointed out that vervet monkeys were protected in terms of national and provincial legislation and the Animal Cruelty Act.
“It is cruel, illegal and unnecessary to injure or harm them in any way. Don’t do it. You will be prosecuted, ” she said.
