This young Vervet Monkey in all likelihood has a precarious future. She belongs to a troop of monkeys that survives on the fringes of a suburban area that is surrounded by a commercial plantation of eucalyptus trees. She has done well to survive this far as the mortality rate of baby monkeys is high.
There is not much that is edible in the plantation and so monkeys include suburban gardens in their foraging routes. This necessity can bring them into conflict with humans who resent their presence. In contrast, a small minority of people feed monkeys by hand, which has the unfortunate effect of habituating monkeys to people and leading them to associate people with access to food, which all too often ends up badly for monkeys.
We strive for a middle way. We plant indigenous plants in an attempt to create a wildlife-friendly garden where visiting creatures, including monkeys, can forage. Our veggie garden has monkey-proof fencing (including the “roof”) and this arrangement works well.
If wild birds, such as this Purple-crested Turaco (formerly Purplecrested Loerie) eat flowers, fruits seeds and plants in the garden, we are pleased, and that applies to monkeys too
We do not approach the monkeys visiting our garden and keep our distance, but we do not chase them either. We also discourage our dogs from chasing them. As a result, monkeys visiting our garden are chilled and peaceful, as can be seen in the top photo in the rather quizzical expression of this youngster glancing in my direction.
When photographing monkeys I use the LCD screen to focus the zoom lens and I hold the camera as low as I can. I find that if I hold the camera up to my face to use the viewfinder, it frightens the monkeys and they duck out of sight. I assume they make an association between a camera pointed at them like that and a gun, and that association tells its own story.
There is only one post this week while I am away on holiday. I will catch up with blogging on my return.
Posted by Carol
February 15, 2019 at 5:54 am
Carol I loved this blog! I always feel so sad that Vervet Monkeys are haressed, shot and driven away, so heart warming that they have a haven to feed and just be!
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February 15, 2019 at 6:08 am
Thanks Christeen. I also feel so sad that vervets are so persecuted and that they are so misunderstood. They respond so peacefully when they are not harrassed and just left alone in our garden.
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February 9, 2019 at 9:05 pm
I do so enjoy your wonderful posts. Ah….What a pleasure it must be to see these amazing creatures in your own garden!
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February 10, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Thank you so much. Yes, we are very fortunate to have such amazing visitors to our garden.
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February 9, 2019 at 2:14 am
A beautiful portrait of a lovely creature. It’s a pity some people react inappropriately to wild things. Makes me wonder just how long we’ll have half of these species around.
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February 9, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Thank you Gunta. Indeed there is a lot to wonder and be anxious about.
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February 8, 2019 at 4:52 am
You have written all this just beautifully Carol. Lovely photo too.
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February 9, 2019 at 12:33 pm
Thank you so much Nikki.
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February 8, 2019 at 4:34 am
The drought tends to draw monkeys from the surrounding areas closer to the suburbs on the fringe, however there is usually sufficient food elsewhere for them to return to the veld after the rains instead of having to contend with barking dogs and irate residents. We have had monkeys in our garden only about three times in thirty years. Your tip about photographing them is a useful one.
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February 9, 2019 at 12:32 pm
It is interesting that you seldom get monkey visitors to your garden. That the veld can sustain monkeys even proximate to towns (outside of drought years) is good, though I think vervets are persecuted even more in the farmlands than they are in the urban areas.
Btw, regarding photographing monkeys, in our recent trip to Zululand game reserves, the vervets didn’t mind the camera at all, even groups far from camp and picnic sites, which is interesting.
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February 8, 2019 at 2:38 am
I think if they could the monkeys would thank you for your kindness, Carol. Indeed, those that actively feed the monkeys are not doing them any favours and in my view has even more to answer for than those who cannot tolerate them.
On the same subject I was amazed to see a vervet in a park here in eastern Pretoria at the weekend – only the 3rd time in the 12+ years I’ve lived here that that happened, and I immediately thought of you who enjoy their company so frequently!
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February 9, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Yes, and in our recent trip to game reserves in Zululand we found that the habituated animals that have been learning to get food from careless (or even willful) visitors include not only monkeys but also (among others) very proactive bushpigs who now regularly raid bins and kitchens.
I wonder if the vervet you saw in a Pretoria park recently was not a dispersing male?
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February 9, 2019 at 6:10 pm
Wow, a bushpig in your kitchen certainly isn’t something to be taken lightly – they can and will kill you if they feel threatened, cornered or provoked.
I also think the monkey we saw was dispersing from its natal group, unfortunately I don’t think it will soon get lucky enough to find a new troop where it is looking now…
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February 9, 2019 at 7:22 pm
Last week we had a very persistent bushpig desperately and noisily trying to raid our bin at one of the safari tents at Imfolozi two nights in a row – we were safely up the deck watching. The bin was in a rack with a heavy lid with a chain we had secured to prevent the pig from lifting it, much to its evident frustration and the disappointment of its attendant family. Quite incredible. They completely ignored our close proximity – I might do a post about the encounter. Fortunately there were wooden stairs to the kitchen with a gate at the top.
I always feel sorry for dispersing monkeys – they are so vulnerable with such uncertain futures.
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February 10, 2019 at 1:29 am
PLease do post about those bush pigs, I’d love to see it!
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February 10, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Will do 🙂
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February 9, 2019 at 6:10 pm
Really looking forward to reading all about your Zululand game reserve visits too!
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February 7, 2019 at 10:59 pm
Interesting story. We also have eucalyptus forests in Hawaii and they always strike me as sterile places, without many birds or other wildlife. I mostly dislike it when people feed wildlife, particularly when it brings wild creatures into urban areas where they’re likely to get into conflict with the residents. Your approach is the way to go I think. Quite a few places in the U.S. are encouraging urban or backyard wildlife sanctuaries, which embrace the same ideas as your garden. Lovely photos as always.
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February 9, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Thanks Graham. Yes, feeding wildlife, including birds, can be quite contentious and problematic. I guess across specific contexts and circumstances appropriate practices may differ. It is interesting that suburban and urban spaces can provide sanctuaries and/or corridors for wildlife and so planting native plants can play a significant role in assisting wildlife, including birds.
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February 7, 2019 at 9:10 pm
Hope you’re having a great holiday: the blogging can wait, though this was a great post. I hope the wildlife doesn’t profit TOO much from your being out of sight of your garden!
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February 9, 2019 at 11:35 am
Thanks so much Margaret. For the first time I scheduled some posts to publish while we were away – and it worked! We are back from a great holiday. Our garden is fine, thanks. Just a bit wilder and tangled 🙂
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February 7, 2019 at 7:35 pm
Fine photo, Carol. Great contrast between the clarity of the subject and the fuzzy, bokeh-filled background.
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February 9, 2019 at 11:32 am
Thanks so much Eliza.
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