Time goes by so fast that one does not always have a chance to stop and look back at all the achievements attained so far and the year is nearly at an end. Nothing can be done without the dedication of a few select people who really care and want to make a difference and drive others to do what’s necessary to achieve great things.

Baby Integrations were slow this year with various things holding us up along the way delaying their time to be out enjoying their freedom. To many people, putting animals first before yourself and sacrificing what little time you have for the enjoyment of those that need it most can be very difficult. Sometimes you just don’t have the means to forage along and get things done but here it is a lifetime of dedication and commitment to ensure things do get done, (after all this is the monkeys entire life and they depend on us and volunteers to make it happen for them). With a few alterations made to introductory areas things should go better and hopefully with the help of all the new dedicated volunteers the little ones should be out before Christmas.

Gismo enclosure has finally been extended and one can see the delight in all the monkeys faces as they climb new trees and have far better look out points also giving everyone the opportunity to swear at the Engeltjie troop. The long awaited re-introduction of Cane, Brownie, Abel, Uh-Oh and Tom-Tom overseen by Josie assisted by volunteer Ian was also accomplished quicker than expected. Josie thought it would be a good idea to keep the old Gismo fence up and to put a door into the new enclosure to make the integration easier in a larger space as integrating 5 monkeys to a troop of 13 isn't easy! I was in a hurry to get the old fencing down but Josie said 'just give me one week and I'll integrate them''. ...And so the integration was complete that would have otherwise taken much longer if having to use just one introduction cage. It just goes to show if you have the willpower, patience, dedication and put in the time, the results are amazing. First Sangoma, whom we all thought was impossible and now this bunch, I can assure you it’s the dedication and drive of wanting to see these animals be free that makes dreams become reality.

Vasectomies have also been done thanks to vet Sue Harvey and vet nurse Lacey McCutchen in helping the foundation attempt to keep a zero breeding rate to ensure we always have space for those helpless orphans that need looking after. The orphan season has already begun with our first infant arriving called Spiegel looked after by voluntary staff and baby mum - Melanie Leyding.

As the rainy season is upon us, a whole array of wildlife can be seen and enjoyed around the VMF.

Lina Reghenzi, Sydney Zeldis, Manon Demodice, Elise Ollivier-Wong, Jenny Godwin, Angela Arlotta, Markus Wasmuth, Till Welnitz, Alison Davidson, Sinead Nolan, Jessica Quast, Veronica Broman.

Welcome back:
Carole Degiorgio

1 yr old Ex-pet Francis was the first to arrive collected on 15th October claimed to have been found but very tame. It was clear she was a pet as to how she behaved. The pigmentation on her face was also still pink in places which usually turns black with the sun so we can assume she had been kept indoors for a long time without sunlight. Francis has developed a coping mechanism by putting her foot over her ear when she is stressed and also sucking her thumb for comfort. Since arriving, she settled in very well and has been playing with the juveniles at Dino & Daniel most of the days learning how to become a monkey again. Francis was named Francis by somebody who won the 'name a monkey' competition at the Bristol Festival of Nature.

A few days later little orphaned Spiegel arrived, his mum had been killed by a car but he survived with no injuries. We collected him from the vets where he had been handed in. Spiegel was named Spiegel meaning 'mirror or reflection' in German by UK events co-ordinator Sarah-Jane & Nick Smith. "Upon looking at a photo of Spiegel, what we saw reflected back was the hope we can make a difference and the work we will do over here will increase his chances of a future. " Sarah-Jane and Nick have offered to adopt Spiegel for life. Spiegel is being looked after by staff Melanie Leyding along with some of the volunteers. He has already met his new monkey foster mum 'Chico' from sickbay enclosure who adores him and can't wait to look after him full time. We just hope the feeling will be mutual once he's learnt to find his bottle.

If you would like to donate a tin of babymilk for Spiegel, please lick below using our online shop:

Click here to purchase a tin of babymilk

This descriptive article shows the fire through the eyes of a long term volunteer - Matthew Chard following the fire at Camelot enclosure last month.

There are times in life when we see danger approaching and know we can’t avoid it. No matter how hard we run, or to what extent we grit our teeth, the forces of the universe are going to crash down upon us and all we can do is wait for impact. As this happens, fear drains away and is replaced by a dull sense of acceptance, often leaving a snapshot of the moment in its wake. I can still remember the tail-lights of the car in front of me from eight years ago, knowing that I had hit the brakes too late and all I could do was brace myself. I can hear my Dad’s voice on the phone from five years ago, the emptiness in it telling me that a family member had passed away, and I can still feel the rogue wave at Kuta Reef racing through the water towards me, its foamy lip feathering high above my head as I prayed that my lungs would hold on for one last dose of punishment.

In September, life at the VMF gave me another one of these moments.
For a few hours I had watched the smoke growing darker, tainting the sky with its fumes. Another fire. This time, though, it wasn’t going to let the VMF off so easily. The flames were coming from behind Koko rather than the relative safety of Camelot hill, sweeping across the flat dry ground, and the day seemed to be growing hotter as the afternoon wore on. Before long I found myself side by side with a small army of volunteers, staff and local workers, each of us doing our best to halt the oncoming blaze. Despite our efforts, though, the fire continued to encroach upon the foundation.  Ash floated thick upon the air. Every time flames were extinguished more would pop up to take their place, licking at the earth with orange tongues, daring people to come closer then forcing them to retreat.  Unsure of what to do, I moved down towards Camelot to look at the situation there.
And that’s when it happened.

Staring through the smoke, I could see that a trail of fire had crossed over the fire-break and was starting to infiltrate the Camelot enclosure.  Jolted by the sight I picked up the pace, rushing towards the blaze with the water-pack cutting into my shoulders, desperate to try and put a stop to it. Before I could get anywhere near the flames, though, a wave of heat crashed over me. Breath squeezed from my lungs. Never before had I experienced such intense burning.  Desperately I stumbled backwards, watching helplessly as the fire continued unabated.  I pulled my singlet-top over my face and coughed heavily, the toxicity of the smoke thick inside my lungs, my head spinning as every sense was assaulted by the ferocity of the heat. Just moments ago I had been so determined, but in an instant the fire had torched that resolve.  Stinging tears blurred my eyes. Every limb seemed to suddenly realize that it was sore, and the water on my back felt heavy as cement, begging me to let it fall to the ground.  Worst of all, though; I realised that the fire was sweeping into the Camelot enclosure. And there was nothing I could do to stop it....

Turning away, I retreated back towards the others, stopping every few metres to cough or catch my breath. By the time I got there they were already aware of what was happening.  In one large group they stormed away towards Camelot, brushing aside the dead trees that raked at their skin. Somewhat rejuvenated by the sight, and not wanting to slacken off, I tried to keep pace with them. The rest of the afternoon is a blur of images. I can remember beating flames, scanning from side to side for any injured primates, Dave rushing from one end of the enclosure to another without stopping to wipe the blood that thorns had scratched from his arms, and seeing a dead monkey being carried from the enclosure, its charred body stiff and its eyes looking towards elsewhere. It wasn’t until it was all over that my brain began to process what it had seen. Standing under the shower, cool water against reddened skin, the numb exhaustion slowly began to fade away into something that resembled understanding. I had been through a fire. Not everyone had survived it.  And there would be many hard days ahead.
Flash forward almost a month and I’m pushing a wheel-barrow towards Camelot, doing my best not to spill the bowls that Stephen has precariously placed in there for me. Other volunteers and staff are already at work, disappearing inside the enclosure to deliver the monkey’s dinner, giving up their time to ensure that no-one goes hungry. Not all the Camelot monkeys made it through the blaze but a healthy number of them stand waiting at the gates, trotting alongside anyone who has a banana or two for them. Casualties coming into sickbay have stopped and we have moved onto other things. Orphans are arriving. There are young male monkeys needing to be caught for vasectomies, and of course, the many other daily tasks that make up life at the VMF.

When I emailed a friend back home regarding the fire they sent me a quote by Ernest Hemmingway.  “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places”. Looking around Camelot, its large trees beginning to birth leaves again and more monkeys returning by the day, I can see those words being put into practice. Camelot has been hurt, but through that pain will emerge an enclosure that will be stronger than it ever was before, with strong green shoots appearing from the black earth. Before long it could be the VMF’s best enclosure again. I still find myself scanning the skyline occasionally, worrying that there will be fire-smoke to curdle the perfect blue, but so far October has been kind to us. The fires have stayed away, and Camelot’s growth has been allowed to continue unabated. As I walk along its paths I even find myself smiling.

There are some things in life that can’t be forgotten. Scars may dull, but they never truly heal, and we carry them forever as a part of us. Whilst I will always have memories of the day that the fire hit, though, they are tempered by my recollections of the dedication that everyone has showed in getting Camelot back to full health. When the monkeys were at their most vulnerable people were ready to put their own needs aside. When they should have been eating dinner they were still delivering bowls and building shelters, unaware of the pink sun setting behind a bleeding sky. Being witness to such efforts has been an honour; and in a way, a blessing. After all; if the dark times in our life make an impact, and help to shape who we are, then surely the positive things we experience must also leave their mark? It is a very encouraging thought, and again, I find myself smiling.

 And so, life at the VMF rolls on, with one week melting into the next as we head towards summer and hopefully a little bit of rain. More volunteers arrive, and more tell me just how much they love this place, their faces lighting up as they make contact with a monkey for the first time. Black turns to green. Despair into hope. The pain of death becomes the joy of rebirth.

We are pleased to say Sherman and the singed female photographed in the previous newsletter have both made a full recovery along with the other monkeys we were concerned about and after the rains, Camelot is starting to look green once again. Thank you to everyone who donated towards the repairs.

When arriving at the festival on day one, our first task was to set up shop so to speak for the weekend. Wielding monkey toys, calendars, pictures and some leaflets we searched for our designated spot. Conveniently our spot was placed no more than a few feet from the swimming pool and a beer tent to our right, this was certainly a good start to the weekend! The atmosphere at the festival was really welcoming and friendly, everybody seemed like minded as many of the stands revolved around conservation, the environment and so on which meant for some interesting debate. Other stands sold sustainable items of; clothing, building material and so on. In addition there was all manor of food stands around, of particular interest to Dave and Josie was the vegan food stand, which proved to be delicious throughout the weekend. After setting up our stand we set off to find our hotel room, some more vegan food and to investigate rumours of wild hippos roaming nearby our accommodation (of which turned out to be true). An early start the next morning and the festival was open for business.

Our plan was to turn up, get our name out there, hand out some leaflets, answer any questions or problems people had with the vervets, raise some funds for the foundation and perhaps if their was time, have a quick dip in the pool.

 It was a very interesting experience to learn how others perceive the Vervets and how they affect different peoples lives in different ways. Views on them varied extremely from those with admiration for them, encouraging Vervets into the village and those who saw them as nothing but a pest and wanted rid as quickly as possible. Either way just after speaking to the first few visitors on the very first day it became apparent to me that if vervets and people are to peacefully coexist, there had to be compromise, a middle ground, after all the vervets were here first. Furthermore, even those visiting the stand that meant well for the vervets often didn’t understand the consequences of their actions. For example people would feed them in their garden or on their porch to get a closer look and perhaps a picture. Moreover with the best intentions in the world this doesn’t help, only encouraging them to the villages and away from what is left of their natural habitat.

Others would complain about how the monkeys steal their rubbish and climb in through their windows, although these problems could easily be overcome with a simple, easy and affordable purchase of a monkey proof bin or insect screens.

When the final day of the festival was over and we were packing away, I felt that in a small way we had made a difference, and if just a few of the people we spoke to acted upon our advise it would benefit the vervets. Furthermore we also handed out many leaflets and raised some much needed funds for the foundation, which is always helpful when you have almost 600 mouths to feed everyday!

Thank you to Joe & Melanie who did a fantastic job on the stand it was a competition between the boys and the girls as to who could sell the most items and do the most educating! Whilst Joe did Steve Irwin impressions chasing fake snakes, Melanie ended up holding a tarantula at one of the talks, so we know who will be removing any baboon spiders from now on ;-)

• The old Special Cases block has finally been knocked down - Ricky & Scallywag and Titan and Twitch have moved up to Goliath enclosure where they can be more sociable with members of the troop.
  
  
• All this year's vasectomies have been completed thanks to vet Sue Harvey and Vet nurse Lacey McCutchen. Thank you to all staff and volunteers who remained patient trapping monkeys who are very smart!
  
  
• Opal - adult male from Skrow Troop collapsed and suffered partial paralysis of the hind limbs. It's suspected he was bitten by a snake as there were signs on his foot of cytotoxic tissue damage. We thought he would never walk again and were told by the local vets it would be best to euthanase him as he had a very slim chance of ever regaining feeling. However, we persevered giving him antibiotics and IV VItamin C as well as a whole range of supplements and herbs and although 3 of his toes had to be amputated by vet Sue, he is now back on his feet and doing well.

• Colin moved in with Murray to give them both company and so they can learn more social skills - although there isn't quite a bond between them yet we will wait and see.
  
  
• Armstrong has been showing aggression towards Thandi recently and she became withdrawn and disinterested so the decision was made to move him in with Angela & Pepper at Skunkey A1 - the 2 girls seem to be enjoying his company.
  
  
• Gismo Enclosure extension is complete and Cane, Brownie, Abel Uh-oh and Tom-Tom have been fully integrated into the troop and enjoying life in the trees once again.

Don't forget to place your orders in time for Christmas

Click here to view the VMF online shop

Thank you this month to:

Joan Wilson
Fran Boland
Joanne Taylor
Alissa Kossar
Natalie Marr
Brenton Head
3M donated lots of surgical tape
Sarah Ludlam - Brought calendars & books out, bunny bottles
Shellie Robinson – brought calendars out from UK
Louise Skeldon
Taryn Ryan
Hazel & Rick Humble
Theo Rossellini
Sarah Smith
Patty Finch (Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries)
Anna Marelic

For those who would still like to donate, please click here:

Click here to donate

A big thank you must also be said here to voluntary sickbay staff member Hillary Brown this month who has been organising volunteers, doing the rota, holding quiz nights with Lacey and much more whilst Hollie & Chris have been away on holiday.

The VMF aim for 2012, is to locate, secure and provide the infrastructure to maintain a site for releasing a troop of our resident Vervets, so that we can celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Foundation in 2013, confident in the knowledge that we ARE achieving what the VMF set out to do when it was established back in 1993.

Do the VMF Veggie / Vegan Challenge 2011
& help raise funds for a release site for the vervets - where the vervet dream becomes reality....

We are looking for volunteers to go from meat-eaters to vegetarian or vegetarian to vegan for one month around 19th November 2011

To take part:

• You will need to be committed to raise a min of R500 for the VMF in the way of sponsorship – we will e-mail you a sponsorship form
• You will need to be prepared to share your experience with us
• You will need to advertise this event or write a story for your local media to help raise further funds and spread awareness for the monkeys
• You will need to watch the suggested video to understand why you are going veggie / vegan for a month.

In return you will:

• receive a free VMF veggie / vegan recipe book prior to starting the challenge & know you have helped the vervets further
• be able to join the facebook events page and chat to others who are  also taking part
• help to reduce animal cruelty worldwide
• help reduce environmental impact
• help prevent habitat destruction & loss for wildlife
• be helping poverty in the third world
• have lots of health & emotional benefits
• be able to eat guilt free and have a conscious awareness and living

Please e-mail Josie Josie@vervet.za.org if you would like to take part with your address and whether you will be going veggie or vegan. Please also encourage friends and family and share the links on your blogs and facebook. The more who take part the more we can help the monkeys, their habitat and other animals

You can join the event on our facebook group where you can also chat to others doing the challenge on the link below:

Click here to join the event via our facebook page

If you are unable to take part then you may wish to sponsor somebody else or help advertise the event in your local news.

Sunday 6th November is the Animal Charities Fair held at The Camden Centre, Euston Road, London WC1H 9LZ

Our UK events co-ordinator Sarah-Jane Smith will be there along with some other volunteers helping to run the stand.

Click below for further details:

Animal Charities Fair - click here

There is also a fantastic vegan cafe on Camden High Street selling delicious food called inspiral which is a must for all food lovers everywhere.

Erika Kilgore, Joanne Sudworth, Sue Harvey, Luci Brown, Anita Pancholi, Shellie Robinson.