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Vervet monkeys release
Chipangali Wildlife Trust
November 15, 2005

If you look back at our one of our past "breaking news" stories, in particular the arrival of Bobo & Charlie the little vervet monkeys, this Release story should warm the cockles of your heart. Going back to when they were helpless & defenseless little animals, needing to receive special care & attention from Claire [our long standing volunteer]. To the present, where they are now integrated with others of their kind, to form a strong & confident troop prepared to go back into the Wild.

The integrating of vervet monkeys is a lengthy process, the placing of individuals together in one enclosure, often needs many months of individuals being placed alongside each other. This is done in order that a social structure is formed, to find the dominant male & female as thus form a troop hierarchy. This is a fundamental part of the process in order to be assured of survival & success once released back into the wild.

During this process all the animals are watched under close supervision as there are often small minor injuries from the bickering & fighting that takes place.

The afternoon before departure, once again, human intervention was required, & now it’s them against us. There is a wild flurry of vervets scampering here and there whilst we are restraining them without chemical immobilization [with exception of Mama & Chunky, whom were two dangerous to capture & handle by hand]. They were then placed in a traveling crate that would be taking them to their longed freedom.

We departed early morning, thus being able to reduce the amount of traveling in the hot, sweltering sun. Regular stops were made to ensure that our special cargo was coping, with the heat & stress associated with this type of travel.

On arrival at Main Camp, both our human & two legged friends took joy in the break & watering thus being able to cool down after a long & exhausting trip. After a final 50kms we arrived at Giraffe Springs where camp was set up, animals were fed & watered in preparation for their final release.

Half past 7 the next day after another short journey north, we arrived at Mtswiri Pan. After settling down for a few minutes the traveling crates were opened – Tshoko, Bobo & Bobo 2 immediately climbed to the top of the crate filled with curiosity. Sméagol who ate well for most of the journey, appeared to be a little frightened with all the fuss, & walked straight to the vehicle and stole a juice bottle from the cabbie compartment.

Chunky the alpha male, along with Mama [who have been in our care for a number of years] whom were sedated throughout the journey due to their aggressive behaviour and to prevent them from hurting any of the smaller vervets, made a mad dash to the tree line to explore their new home. Chunky & Mama then waited patiently in the lush vegetation for the not so confident younger vervets to join them.

Charlie needed a moment or two before he went on to join them. Lulu who can to us from Mutare SPCA, was a little unsure of herself at first, however only took her a few moments to gain her confidence & then she was keen to explore her new surroundings.

Arwen & Evil Elf [from the Friends of Animals Foundation] along with Gavin who came to us from the SPCA, scampered around the vehicle a couple of times, climbing up and down the cab roof finally decided to head for the tree line again joining their friends, with their tails high in the air. Thsoko, Bobo not too far behind.

For Sméagol it seemed that he was more of an onlooker, here to say goodbye to his friends & wish them well. He needed a whispering in the ear to let him know that " we" were saying goodbye to him as well. With that he trotted off, occasionally looking back.

We can only that their preparation, for a new life of freedom in Hwange National Park, was sufficient for a successful opportunity to be WILD at last, in their rightful home.

Time was needed between the monkeys release & that of the baboons, so with that there was time, for the gals [volunteers] to have a much needed and quick shower . . . .

Chipangali would like to thank the SPCA around Zimbabwe, Friends of Animal Foundation and members of our community at large for their valiant efforts in saving animals, bringing wild animals into us to care for, especially so in these trying economic times that we all are experiencing.

Back at the Orphanage, we still are busy with little Thsoko, Marcel, Mr. T, Miagi, Jack. Little John & Mojo – keeping us in check and whom are now making up the new group to be released in the future.

If you would like to support any of our monkey’s under our care, we would certainly appreciate the help in adopting one of the above animals. As you can see it is a long a time consuming process but where possible we aim to release as many animals back into the wild.

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