Plot 35 California Tarentaalrand, Tzaneen, 0850, SA+27 83 454 5381
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About us

The Vervet Monkey Foundation (VMF)

We are a non-profit organization (#020 694 NPO) established in 1993. Our centre is based in Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

We rehabilitate and provide sanctuary to over 500 primates, orphaned, injured, abused, ex-laboratory or unwanted pets. In addition to this we provide:

  • A program to rehabilitate orphaned and injured primates.
  • A program to research the claims of damage and problems caused by vervet monkeys and offer possible solutions to co-existence.
  • An education program to inform the public of the role that the vervet monkey plays in the eco-system and how to prevent human – vervet conflict.
  • A sanctuary for primates unfortunate enough to be un-releasable but still able to have a quality of life to be ambassadors for their species.
  • An opportunity for volunteers to study the life style and environment of the vervet monkey primate species.
  • A project for volunteers to become involved in the conservation and rehabilitation of this unique indigenous primate.
  • Opportunities for volunteers, vet nurses, gap year students and those involved and interested in primate conservation.
  • The promotion of a vegan lifestyle to help sustain the environment, prevent habitat loss, animal suffering and to make a contribution towards helping many of the world’s issues.

The Vervet Monkey foundation obtains 80% of its power consumption from solar power to help promote a sustainable lifesttyle.

Our History

In 1989 the plight of the Vervet monkey species in South Africa first came to light when an orphaned baby Vervet monkey, only hours old was discovered. Inquiries to recognize authorities concerning the fate of such primates revealed that there were no facilities to provide for its care and welfare, instead they were told to kill the monkey because, such animals were regarded as vermin.As environmentalists and humanitarians, they saw that the solution to this problem did not lie in euthanasing these orphaned primates but rather, the need for an organisation to provide a sanctuary for them and to holistically investigate what was in fact happening to this indigenous primate of South Africa.It soon became apparent that very little was in fact known about this species. Most of the data available at that time was negative, contradictory, incomplete and inaccurate. This void was due to its classification as vermin, and this lack of knowledge had portrayed this indigenous primate in a very poor and negative light. At that time there was also very little information pertaining to the rehabilitation of this primate species. As conservationists they could see that the solution to this problem was not the senseless killing of these primates but the need for a programme incorporating:

  • A facility to research the life style and environment of this species.
  • A program to rehabilitate orphaned and injured primates.
  • A program to research the claims of damage and problems caused by vervet monkeys and offer possible solutions for co-existence.
  • An education program to inform the public of the role that the vervet monkey plays in the eco-system.
  • A sanctuary for primates unfortunate enough to be un-releasable but, manageable enough to be used for educational purposes.

these orphans and to develop a much needed rehabilitation programme and sanctuary where injured and miss-placed vervet monkeys would be humanely treated.

During the past decade the Foundation has developed a unique rehabilitation programme that has helped revolutionize the way in which primates are rehabilitated. Our enclosure designs are now utilized in similar primate projects. Fundamentally, the Foundation has saved and improved the lives of more than six hundred vervet monkeys. The foundation has also achieved many firsts in the rehabilitation of this primate species with the aid of volunteers, gap year students and primate carers.

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