History
Bambelela, established in Dec. 2003, is a privately owned and operated wildlife
rehabilitation and conservation centre in the Waterberg district. It is well known
and especially well regarded for its exceptional work with Vervet monkeys.
Since 2008 we have successfully rehabilitated 29 troops of monkeys [a total of
over 1000 Vervet Monkeys], who are now living free at safe release sites, on
Bushveld farms in Limpopo.
Troops of Monkeys
Vervet Monekeys
Chacma Baboons
Lesser Bush Baby
Why Vervet Monkeys?
The value of free roaming Vervet Monkeys is priceless. They play an important role in creating a balanced, healthy environment for us. The Vervet Monkey Ecologist help create balance in our environment.
Support our cause
Visit us and learn about primates’ social behavior patterns and gain an understanding of these magnificent creatures.
Conflict between Humans & Vervet Monkeys
1. Resist the temptation to feed the monkeys
If they come too close, control them with direct eye contact and shoo them away. No attempts to touch them please.
2. Leave the monkeys alone
Teasing and touching them will only encourage them to stay around humans, which will defeat all the hard work of many years to hand-raise them and then wean them from human contact.
3. Keep eye contact and never turn your back on them
Hold their gaze and show them that they are not welcome near you, shoo them away with noise and body gestures. They won’t attack you from the front because they are intelligent enough to know that you are more powerful and stronger than them. Opportunistic as they are, they will only approach you when you turn your back on them and walk away.
4. Transferring males
Some males may choose to stay around humans for a while due to their confusion following having to leave their troop of birth when reaching sexual maturity. They are merely on the lookout for another monkey troop to join. Do not shoot them please…they are only following Nature’s Call. Nature forces them to do this to avoid inbreeding. They will move on again, usually after 2-4 weeks [if not fed!]
