Yes, we do understand that accidents can happen, and yes, monkeys do dart across the road and can end up getting hit by a car, even if the person driving isn't speeding along.
But, it is not okay to simply leave the injured, dying or dead monkey on the road. If you do accidently hit a monkey please stop and check if the monkey is alive or dead. If possible (without putting yourself at risk) please move the monkey off the road to a safe area. If not possible then redirect cars around the injured monkey.
Call a rescue organisation or SPCA to assist and / or to report the incident.
If the monkey is alive, at the very least stay on the scene until help arrives. If you leave, the monkey may drag his/her body into the bush and may not get found. Or, as is the case in this country, a passerby that eats monkeys or uses their body parts for muti or to sell may take the live monkey off, even smash his or head in and pop the body into a packet for consumption later.
For the monkey to have a chance of rescue you need to remain at the scene, keep an eye on the monkey until help arrives. If possible please pop a plastic laundry basket etc. over the monkey to contain the monkey until help arrives, or if you can, put the monkey into your car, on the floor behind the seat or inside the boot. Do not leave the dazed monkeys on the back of a bakkie as the monkey may come around whilst driving and tumble into the road.
Confine the monkey if you can and if you are able to, drive through to the closest vet, or just wait for the help that you have called.
Monkeys often lie concussed, in shock and bewildered after an incident, after being hit by a car, shocked on overhead electricity wires, bitten by a dog etc. This is when you can help by confining the patient.
If you leave a monkey on the road the monkey may just be concussed and if you had interceded could have been saved, but left on the road the monkey will once again get hit and killed by the very next vehicle passing by.
Please consider how you deal with an injured animal on the road. Your intervention could mean the difference between life and death for the victim.
So, in short if you do hit a monkey on the road, or if you come across a monkey lying on the road...
STOP,
CHECK,
MOVE,
CALL.,
REMAIN,
WATCH.
If possible CONFINE, or TAKE TO THE NEAREST VET.
But, don't carry the Monkey into the vet unless secured in a carrier. If not, ask the vet to assist to ensure the monkey does not recover and run off into unfamiliar territory.
Monkeys have no diseases you need to concern yourself with but monkeys can bite and will if handled, so keep your hands and body well away from the monkeys face. Troop members will also come to the defense of an injured monkey so if this happens, either get help from others to keep them at bay whilst you assist the injured monkey, or remain on the scene, protecting the monkey from further injury until help arrives.
Monkeys do deserve your help and we can only help them with your assistance.
Having said this, always REMAIN SAFE.
- DO NOT dart into traffic to rescue any animal, your life is too important.
- DO NOT put yourself at risk in dangerous areas. Hijackings, rapes and attacks are a real concern in SA.
- DO NOT BE CASUAL. Injured monkeys can bite and will if you handle them as they don't know you are trying to help. Be especially careful with adult monkeys as they are very strong and HAVE incredibly sharp teeth.
- DO NOT JUST LEAVE THE INJURED ANIMAL. All animals deserve our help. Even a monkey that comes around after being concussed or in shock needs time to recover sufficiently before being released back to his or her troop. A few days safe at a rescue centre will ensure the greatest chance of survival.
Lastly.. ALWAYS RECORD THE AREA THE MONKEY WAS RESCUED FROM so, if possible, the monkey can be returned back to the troop once fully recovered.
WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
