The Vervet Monkey Foundation is a non-profit organization (#020 694 NPO) established in 1993. The centre is based in Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province of South Africa and works to rehabilitate and provide sanctuary to over 700 vervet monkeys, orphaned, injured, abused, ex-laboratory or unwanted pets. In addition to this the Foundation provides:
* A facility to research the life style and environment of the vervet monkey.
* A program to rehabilitate orphaned and injured vervet monkeys.
* 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.
* A sanctuary for primates unfortunate enough to be unreleasable
but, manageable enough to be used for educational purposes.
Raising awareness of the Vervet Monkey Foundation
The Great Primate Handshake’s roots lie within the Foundation itself, as it was here that the initial idea for the Handshake was established. The Vervet Monkey Foundation’s website (www.vervet.za.org) was created for the Foundation by the Handshake in 2005 and is maintained by VMF staff and volunteers. Together with the website, the Handshake has created a blog, online shop and newsletter to aid the Foundations fundraising and volunteer programmes.
Volunteer work with the Vervet Monkey Foundation
In addition to their paid staff, and without government funding, the sanctuary depends on volunteers (locally and from abroad) to help care for the monkeys. Volunteers are involved in day-to-day hands-on activities of providing care for monkeys, and in the upkeep, building and maintenance of our 23-hectare facility.
Training is provided in monitoring animals in enclosures, preparing food and feeding including bottle-feeding babies, and in general primate husbandry. Volunteers make a financial contribution for their stay to cover food, accommodation, and ongoing operational costs of the sanctuary.
