I am excited to tell you about my new plans for this year. A few months ago I had a job interview with the Vervet Monkey Foundation (VMF). When they told me that they had a place for me, I decided to take that chance and go to South Africa. I finished my contract at the Portuguese zoo where I was working and started to prepare for this big adventure.
What is the VMF?
The Vervet Monkey Foundation is a rescue and rehabilitation centre located in the Limpopo region in South Africa that has around 500 vervet monkeys.
The centre not only offers protection to the monkeys, but it is also an important education and research centre that tries to know this animal better. They welcome volunteers, students, vets and scientists from around the world to help out with their work.
Thanks to the VMF, the monkeys get a second chance. They receive care and are introduced to a new family where they can build a life together.
Most of them have unfortunately lost their mother as a baby due to a car accident, have been unwanted pets or have been injured in a conflict with people.
Vervet monkeys
The vervet monkeys have a very characteristic black face when they are adults. They have a grey fur and a long tail.
They are found in the East coast of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia and South Africa). You can find them normally up in the trees, but they come down as well to look for food.
They are very social animals and can live in group up to 40 members. These animals have a great number of different calls to warn about different predators and dangers.
Blog
In my blog I will continue to write about all the things I have learned in the zoo. As soon as I am at my new location you will know more about my experiences as a caretaker in South Africa.
I really enjoy working with all these amazingly and interesting animals and I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I like writing it.