Comprehensive monkey research provides useful guidelines
NEWLY capped Dr Kerushka Pillay was awarded a PhD in Ecological Sciences from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) for research done into aspects of the ecology and persistence of vervet monkeys in mosaic urban landscapes in KwaZulu-Natal. She was supervised by Professor Colleen Downs.
“Increased contact between humans and troops of vervet monkeys using residential gardens has led to human-vervet conflict,” said Downs. “Pillay investigated vervet monkeys’ spatial ecology in a mosaic urban landscape including their home ranges and habitat use. Additionally, the effects of anthropogenic activities and human-wildlife conflict on vervet monkeys were documented. Her results contribute to human-vervet conflict resolution and support for further education and coexistence with wildlife in mosaic urban landscapes.”
Pillay studied the spatial ecology of vervet monkeys and troops living in a conservancy on the Buffelsdraai landfill site and compared this to an urban residential area, Bluff. Her study documented the home range and habitat use of vervet monkeys using GPS tracking collars.
Another key aspect of the study focused on the humanwildlife conflict of vervet monkeys in the eThekwini Municipality, by documenting the trends of admission records from 2011 to 2018 of vervet monkeys admitted to an urban wildlife rehabilitation centre.
“Significantly, admissions increased annually and were reported highest in spring,” said Pillay. The highest causes of admission for vervet monkeys were being hit by motor vehicles, dog attacks and being orphaned.
“Most of the vervet monkeys arrived alive at the centre; however, 71% were declared dead by the end of the admission process,” she said. Pillay explained her interest in monkey research. “Being born and brought up in KZN, there is no place you can go and not see vervet monkeys. Love them or hate them, they have caused quite a stir among the public, with many taking up positions for or against the species.
“With this research, I wanted to provide scientific evidence to support the protection of the species and highlight the blatant disregard for wildlife living in a shared environment along the urban-forest mosaic.
“I am in awe of vervet monkeys as they resemble human behaviour so closely, like when they groom or playfight. We are lucky we still get to see wildlife from our doorstep without having to leave the city. Most of us
take this for granted,” she said.
Pillay said her study was significant, as the results revealed that vervet monkeys are active and move regardless of their urban and anthropogenic surroundings.
“Vervet monkeys predominantly move for food, and I believe if feeding were ultimately banned, we could reduce a lot of conflicts arising in urban areas between people and monkeys. Feeding monkeys allows them to become pests. We need to avoid them becoming a nuisance or damage-causing animals.
“Collisions with vehicles and pet attacks will also reduce if food provisioning was banned, as monkeys will not have to move down from the trees to forage around pets and human food in dust bins. We as humans need to manage our waste better.”
Pillay said that monkey-proof bins and screens on windows used to deter monkeys from entering properties for food were warranted to avoid conflict.
“The spate of poisoning arising from vervet monkeys eating food laced with poison is another reason we should stop feeding vervet monkeys. Monkeys cannot distinguish between a person genuinely feeding them for hunger or to get rid of them, sadly forever.”
Pillay’s study showed that the major human-wildlife conflict is vervet monkeys being hit by motor vehicles. “The public needs to reduce their speed, especially near wildlife crossing areas which we have identified as hot spots for collisions.
“I could go on and on, but we wish to educate as many people as possible to learn to co-exist with vervet monkeys, which will eventually help us alleviate the ‘vervet monkey problem’,” said Pillay.
Pillay is currently working for the Endangered Wildlife Trust and hopes to continue applying her knowledge as an ecologist to conserve habitats and assist with saving wildlife in South Africa.