Wildlife

Vervet Monkey Welfare in Urban Interfaces

Vervet monkeys in South Africa and East Africa increasingly live at the urban-wildlife interface, facing novel hazards and conflict with human residents.

Key Facts

Welfare Considerations

Vervet monkeys electrocuted on power lines die from cardiac arrest or burns and fall injuries. Urban animals conditioned by feeding develop bold behaviours that lead to conflict and often lethal control operations. Vervets killed in crop raiding conflicts suffer acute death and leave social gaps in troop structure. Animals captured for the illegal pet trade suffer acute trauma and ongoing welfare deprivation in inadequate conditions. Urban vervets often have compromised diets from human food dependence causing nutritional and health problems.

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