The Vervet Monkey Foundation is relieved that staff and volunteers were able to beat back a wildfire that burnt one enclosure on September 18, 2011. Due to the keen preparation and heroic efforts of the staff, only 3 of the 90 vervet monkeys in the enclosure were lost and 4 were injured in the blaze.

“The fire swept across the whole 2 hectare enclosure despite a whole team of people inside fighting it like crazy”, said Animal Manager Josie Du Toit. “We made the decision to open the gates of the enclosure to let the monkeys out as one or two jumped through the flames in fear.”

There are 4 monkeys being treated for burns to their hands and feet, and a few still outside the enclosure to recapture. The rest of the sanctuary’s 570 monkeys are all doing remarkably well. Thanks to great teamwork, the fire was stopped from spreading to any other enclosures.

Vervet Monkey Foundation is now busy with repairs that will take a lot of manpower. The staff is working all hours to get them completed before the orphans start to arrive, as this the brink of new baby season.  To learn how to help, please visit http://www.vervet.za.org/donate.asp. “We are thankful more monkeys weren’t lost,” said Anne Warner, Executive Director of PASA, “and that staff were able to protect the rest of the sanctuary from the blaze.”