VERVET MONKEY PROJECT AT SIMBITHI

Simbithi Eco Estate on KZN’s north coast recently launched an educational environmental series aimed at addressing the delicate balance of humans living in harmony with wildlife, in particular vervet monkeys. In partnership with the Urban Vervet Monkey Project, the estate’s initiative provides the community with valuable information about managing the human/monkey conflict while maintaining a harmonious co-existence. Residents were provided with the following guidelines:

*do not feed the monkeys; there is enough natural food available and feeding them encourages unnatural behaviour;

*secure your home by installing monkey-proof measures such as screens or monkey bars on windows to prevent them from entering;

*avoid interaction as this can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans;

*hide food such as fruit and bread as this can attract them into your home;

* ensure that all garbage and recyclable waste is stored in secure bins to prevent scavenging;

*calmly chase monkeys away with a spray of water, coupled with a ‘shhh’ sound to discourage them from staying near your home;

*never act aggressively as this only increases their own defensive and aggressive behaviour;

*provide escape routes should they enter your home, giving a way out and calmly encouraging them to leave using the above mentioned sounds or water sprays.

www.simbithi.com