The Sanctuary

Founded in 1993 to provide protection to orphaned and injured primates, the Vervet Monkey Sanctuary operates the largest sanctuary for monkeys in South Africa. The Sanctuary receives approximately 40-60 babies and 30-60 juveniles/adults every year and currently looks after over 500 primates, the majority of which are vervet monkeys.

Man is the biggest threat to vervet monkeys in the wild. In addition to habitat encroachment and urbanization, thousands of vervet monkeys are trapped and sold every year to laboratories worldwide for medical research. Due to the misconception that they destroy fruit crops, vervet monkeys are also systematically eradicated by farmers. In fact, the farming community is responsible for a major portion (73%) of the many orphaned vervet monkey babies that are found in the wild. The vervet monkey is currently listed as a vulnerable species on Appendix Two of CITES (Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species).

Apart from caring for the monkeys, the Vervet Monkey Sanctuary also runs numerous outreach programmes, educating farmers, land owners and settlements and giving talks at schools, clubs, organizations, and conservancies. A national network called “Monkey Watch” was created in which concerned citizens monitor the monkeys in their area and report any indiscriminate killing. The Sanctuary also maintains a complete database on vervet monkeys and has done a twelve-year study into their ethnology and role within the eco-system. In the Limpopo Province, where the Sanctuary is based and most actively involved, the project has already seen a positive change in attitudes towards primates, particularly the vervet monkey.

The Sanctuary has had a lot of publicity and accolades in South Africa. It was the third nomination for the AUDI TERRA NOVA CONSERVATION AWARD in 2000 and received the CARE CENTRE award in 2002. A registered non-profit organization, the Vervet Monkey Sanctuary receives no government or major corporate support, and is reliant on the generosity of concerned individuals and animal welfare groups to continue their work.