A crowd of curious onlookers gathered under a gigantic fir tree on the corner of Mandela and Allenby Street, mesmerised by a solo Blue Vervet monkey’s aerial acrobatics.

This little primate had gone rogue, separating from its troop on Wednesday, January 8, and seeking refuge at the treetop.

These mischievous monkeys mean no harm and are actually more afraid of humans than people are of them. They’re just trying to survive in the residential areas of eMalahleni, after all, their natural habitat and snacks have been destroyed due to human activities.

Residents are asked to please not go ape on when they spot these furry friends. Chasing or trying to capture them will only make them go bananas with fear, leading to aggressive behaviour toward humans in the future when they attempt to protect themselves.

Feeding them is also a no-go. While it might seem fun to treat them to a snack, it will only make them reliant on humans and turn them into a nuisance, or worse, a danger to humans.

“Residents are asked to please not disturb or harm the monkeys that have been spotted in town. Please don’t give them any food, either. It is best to just leave them alone,” said Piet Wassenaar,
who has a permit to work with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA).

Let’s all take a deep breath, be kind, and remember: These monkeys are just trying to live their best lives among us. So, let’s leave them be and appreciate their mischievous antics from a safe distance. After all, compassion is the key to harmonious coexistence – and who doesn’t love a good monkey tale?

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