Time is ticking on and it often feels like there just aren't enough daylight hours in the day to achieve everything we wish for for the monkeys!

Christmas break was a struggle to say the least but thanks to our volunteers everyone pulled together, working long hours to get the work done and all without a grumble. It just goes to show no matter how tough times get, as long as there is teamwork and people that want to make a difference - they really can.

We welcome back the return of Dan Grove this year to look after top section, also looking after quarantine at the moment. Joanna Brake has also joined us to look after bottom section and other areas - more from Dan & Jo next month.

We have been lucky to have the skills of 3 volunteer italian vets Antonio Giuliano, Mario Luca Trombetta & Laura Ravaschio here all at once to help us with vasectomising our males to enable us to take in more orphaned vervets. Sarah our vet nurse has also been very busy assisting with the surgery. Michael Kuwong (vet from Cameroon) performed vasectomies during his time with us over Christmas and Cameron (volunteer vet student) was able to help assist. We are lucky to have so many skilled people all in one place at the same time!

My parents were also out visiting this month. My father (Rick Humble) has fixed up the electrics in our sickbay and surgery area making them a lot safer and useable and my Mum (Hazel Humble) has been helping with some homeopathic remedies for the monkeys.

Sharon Clarke, Nicola Carthy, Rebecca Edwards, Angie Fitzgerald, Jessika Nyman, Romani-Jo De Morgan, Elwood Inigo Dethridge, Emma Opitz, Antonio Giuliano, Mario Luca Trombetta, Joanna Brake, Laura Ravaschio, Alice Ravaschio.

Welcome Back:
Daniel Grove, Michaela Rowley, Rob Tuppen, Natalie Cauillault

It's been a busy month - isn't it always?

Thank you to our 3 Italian vets Antonio, Mario & Laura plus Sarah (our vet nurse) who have been working on vasectomies for the males this month before mating season is in it's peak period. Vasectomies are necessary to make the centre a non-breeding sanctuary to allow for more orphans to be taken in and also to ensure we have enough funding.

We have fixed up the bottom of the sickbay enclosure to prevent Apie & Juno running across and antagonising Litchie. Baromir has returned to his old sickbay intro cage temporarily so Scat, Nigel, Nigella and Skittles have a chance to be integrated with Seeay and Litchie. Litchie has been much happier and even comes down from her tree to be near Scat and his family. Scat being an old guy (18yrs) deserves to be out in an open enclosure to live out the rest of his days.

Marshall & Rufus have returned to Engeltjie troop with Ema & Brownie after a period of sickness and are now in full health.

Thandi (a young mum down at Skunkey) lost her baby who we assume got caught up in a fight in Skunkey troop as it looked badly injured. On the very same day a little orphan was brought to us around the same age so we took the opportunity to give her to Thandi as she was still able to produce milk, Sophie named her Lola, Thandi took an instant liking to her and has looked after her as if she was own ever since.

Thank you to all our volunteers this month who have helped with medications & looking after sickbay area.

There's been some excitement this month with the Tweedles (Tweedledum & Tweedledee) with a gradual integration of them into Skrow troop. Both are young male monkeys so it's important to integrate them whilst they are still young otherwise they may not be accepted as older males.

First out was Tweedledee very pleased with himself - he ventured out to play with the juniors in the troop and then to explore some grass. Being a little over confident, he was quickly put in his place by one of the females in the troop.

Tweedledee had a habit of venturing out and then being chased by the females until he eventually came running home for safety and into the arms of Opal. The next time first out was Tweedledum, I think he saw all the excitement and didn't want to be left behind. Dum being the older of the two had ventured out, played with the juniors and then also in the trees, he was braver and stayed out when he was chased right up until after feeding time - he eventually came home for nighttime.

Opal being Opal (Adult male) decided not to play any part in the socialising and simply paced backwards and forwards in his cage waiting for the tweedles to come back from their outing. Opal was pushed too far when Tweedledum came back into the cage gloating that he went into the troop and successfully stole a mango - Opal was not pleased - first he ventures out into the enclosure, then he steals a mango - respect of the hierarchy needs to be learnt so there was a short screaming match between the tweedles and Opal until 2 more mangoes were offered to break the screaming - no harm done.

The one the Tweedles do have respect for is Tripod (our one armed alpha male of Skrow troop). To see the tweedles both grooming Tripod and lip smacking (submissive behaviour) as he entered the area was a pleasure and relief to see that they do have some respect after all.

One of the females entered the introduction cage and Opal suddenly took an interest and tried to mate with her whilst Tripod and Derek (the other male in the troop) were not in the area. She has been back and forth into the cage flirting with Opal so although he won't be easy to integrate at least he is doing some kind of socialising!

More updates on the Tweedles next month...

Thank you to Emma and also my mum (Hazel) for assisting with some of the tweedle integration.

A male junior was brought into us earlier this month found on the road with concussion, he arrived unconscious with a big bruise on his left eye. He is one of those monkeys that you just have no idea which way things will turn out. He took a long time to recover and couldn't see or walk for a few days but then one day he looked around and his focus came back and started eating a marula all by himself! It was as if he was so excited and everything suddenly came back to him.

Scritch is now climbing trees in sickbay, very content and constantly watching everything that goes on around him.

He really is one of those little miracles who fought for his life and succeeded!

Thank you to Dan, Hilde & Hazel for helping to look after Scritch.

Dave and myself took the opportunity to visit another primate sanctuary this month - Chimp Eden in Nelspruit. It's always fascinating to see other centres and speaking about the struggles of sanctuary life. Centers can be very different depending if you are looking after 30 chimps or 500 vervets - although some of the struggles are the same, both face different problems.

Many of you may have seen the series of Chimp Eden on tv so basically all their chimps are famous. Some great work is being done there and we thank Phillip Cronje (sanctuary manager) & his son Mark for showing us around. We were particularly pleased to see Martha out in the enclosure, one of the chimps who took a long time to venture outside as she had never seen grass before.

The positive changes that have taken place in the last 10 months at the VMF are all but a miracle.  A totally new Quarantine area stands proud housing 9 cages.  The majority of bandits are housed in a new enclosure and are enjoying it immensely.  The preparation of food is now in a fenced area.  Cages have been re-sanded and most have plastic poles instead of wood for the monkeys to play and sleep on making cleaning easier and thorough.  There is a new surgery area providing better facilities for the vets who volunteer to carry out the ongoing vasectomy programme. 

The monkeys are healthier and visibly happy all due to special diets, supplements, natural remedies and enrichment.  Volunteers immerse themselves into each unique experience to be had here, whether it be preparation and distribution of foods and remedies, looking after the babies or collecting vegetation.
 
The monkey database is now enormous as every special food, supplement, faecal sample, injury, microchip number, natural remedy and medicine is recorded for future reference as well as the recording of monkey behaviours and integration.

There is now a lovely dining area under cover by the side of the cottage creating more space inside the cottage and making pleasant dining for the volunteers.  Cabins instead of tents house the volunteers in the lovingly named “tent village”.

The shop is now open selling gifts and a few necessities for the volunteers as is the Education Centre. 

Although I have been kept informed of the progression during the year the enormity of the changes were overwhelming. 

It has been wonderful to see abandoned monkeys brought in, cared for and recover from the shock or trauma that they have each experienced.  It is a privilege to be here.

Thank you to Hazel for helping with homeopathic treatment of monkeys once again.

Thank you to all those who donated towards our Christmas appeal for a new orphan enclosure, we are currently needing to raise R45,000 per enclosure and need 3 of them built this year to give our sanctuary monkeys a better life. R7000 was raised from the appeal but we still have a long way to go.

Upcoming fundraising events:

VMF concert / entertainment in UK - venue and dates to be confirmed. Please contact Rachel Plotnek for more info rachel_plotnek@hotmail.com. They are looking for people to help organise, look for venues, sing, play, entertain and much more. We hope many of you will be able to attend. Please join the VMF concert group on facebook to keep updated - it should be an exciting event and all funds raised will go towards building the new enclosures - spread the word, the more people that attend / help, the more can be done for the monkeys.

Fancy dress in Norwich, UK - Bry Brooks (previous volunteer) is planning on doing a fancy dress event in a few weeks time in Norwich, UK to raise more funds for the vervets. If anyone wants to participate or sponsor, please contact Bry ellenbrooks@mypostoffice.co.uk

If you are organising a fundraising event, please e-mail josie@vervet.za.org to let us know so we can post it in our newsletter and on our facebook group.

The VMF on site gift shop is finally open! We have items including vervet softtoys, caps, t-shirts, keyrings, postcards gift cards, vervet paintings by Hellen Bersacola, Natemba children's book, various African ornaments and much more. We will also be selling a few emergency items volunteers may be needing. All profits will go directly towards helping the monkeys.

Thank you to all those who contributed making it possible for start up funds for the shop and also Dan Grove who raised money in his sponsored walk last year.

Donations Jan / Feb 2010:

Doris Reismann-Lagrèze – fleece blankets, DVDs, candles, chocolates, pens, pencils, nursing bottles (xmas gift)
Nicola McAlister  - 10 Euros
Jessica Hughes - £2
Angie Fitzgerald - baby bottles
Romani-Jo De Morgan - baby bottles
Laura & Alice Ravaschio - baby bottles
Alexander Kerckhoff - $25
Natalie Cauillault - vit C, dropper bottles, bunny bottles, various items
Worldwide vet service – donation parcel of vet supplies
Dan Grove & Rob Tuppen for bringing VMF t-shirts out from UK

This is a poem I thought of while one of our new orphans was asleep on my belly in the baby cabin. Skollie and Phyllis our two newest arrivals haven’t had an easy time over the last few days, what with suddenly being surrounded by both new monkeys and loads of new humans too.  So I thought it fitting I write a few words in honour of not only these two, but also all of the orphans that have gone through it this season. In a perfect world there would be no orphaned monkeys for us to look after, but of course the world isn’t perfect, and so all we can do is help these wonderful monkeys live the best lives we can. I would also like to take this chance to thank everyone who has helped look after the babies in the past and those that will in the future. Also the biggest thanks of all have to go to Dave and Josie for giving us the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of these amazing little bundles of fur.

My Friend Skollie
By Helen Sunter

My friend Skollie is a really special guy.
His life has been tough so far, his mum was taken away.
And so we need to give him attention and love each and every day.
My friend Skollie is a very brave soul too.
He’s been through things that would seem so hard to bear for the likes of me and you.
He was rescued by two kindly folks who kept him as their own.
But alas a baby monkey reaches an age when it’s hard to keep them in your home.
My friend Skollie is a handsome boy for sure.
His coat is soft and shiny and he looks so big and strong.
I have no way of knowing and of course I might be wrong but I’m sure if his mum could see him she would be so proud of how he’s come along.
My friend Skollie is in the best place now.
He’s got some brothers and sisters that are just like him; they play and climb all day.
They may be cute and cuddly and wonderful to befriend but with other monkeys is where it is best to stay.
So here’s to Mamba, Precious, Ash and Forest too.
A big shout out to Jessie, Phyllis and Chane.
A round of applause for my friend Skollie please.
It’s true you guys have had it rough, andI wish it weren’t so.
But after all your bravery, you always have a place in my heart, and I will never let that go. 

von Bucher, Mark T.

Mark Von Bucher volunteered at the Vervet Monkey Foundation July 4th - 16th 2007 and it is to our sadness to be announced of his death on January 26th 2010 at age 20yrs old. He was snowboarding with friends over the christmas break and on the 7th of January had an accident, causing a severe head injury after hitting a tree. He fought hard and despite the best efforts of his doctors, family and friends, and himself, he sadly passed away.

Survived by his parents, Erik and Judy von Bucher; brother, Peter; sister, Lilly; grandparents, Joseph and Nancy Briggs; many aunts, uncles and cousins; his two Siberian huskies, Misha and Kolby, his flying squirrel, Stella, 5 geckos, and a collection of tropical fish.

Mark was a graduate and honor student of Allendale Columbia – 2008. He was named Finger Lakes Soccer Player of the Year. He was a pre-veterinarian student at Cornell University majoring in animal sciences and a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity.

Mark had a lifelong love of animals. He was a volunteer at Lollypop Farm for two years in high school; completed an internship at the Brighton Animal Hospital; and volunteered at the Vervet Monkey Foundation. Working with monkeys was one of the highlights of his life and we are glad to have the pleasure of meeting him. He enjoyed dog sledding and skijoring with his huskies, soccer, snowboarding, tennis, wakeboarding and water sports on Canandaigua Lake.

He was fortunate to be surrounded by many genuine and fun-loving friends. He had an infectious laugh, kind and caring nature, and an adventurous spirit.

A Memorial Service was held on Friday February 5th 2010 at Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd., Fairport, NY 14450 or to Allendale Columbia School, 519 Allens Creek Rd Rochester, NY  14618

Cameron James Wilson, Jennifer Redinger, Ann Aston, Aubrey Torralba (return), Paul Ruiz, Bry Brooks, Meshell Zwicker, Heleen Vollers, Erinn Acland, Kimberly Su, Danielle Samphier (return), Mitchell Hardy, Juliette Gorson, Rose Lewis Cole, Jessica Kelly, Suzannah Clamp, Kerry Jeffery, Shawn Kelley.