083 454 8441 | 014 001 7216 [email protected]

Bambelela

Wildlife Care NPC & Vervet Monkey Rehabilitation
Internships – Volunteering - Holidays

What we do

Bambelela offers a volunteer program and internships for vet students or vet nurses, Nature Enthusiasts and also invites Field Guide Trainees to study for their theory and practical exams, while gaining the experience with FGASA (Field Guide Association of Southern Africa).

Bambelela also has three self-catering chalets available for rental, which provide guests with the opportunity for a wonderful experience of living amongst wildlife in the heart of the rugged Bushveld.

We support “THE 3 BIG Rs”

History

Bambelela, established in Dec. 2003, is a privately owned and operated wildlife
rehabilitation and conservation centre in the Waterberg district. It is well known
and especially well regarded for its exceptional work with Vervet monkeys.
Since 2008 we have successfully rehabilitated 29 troops of monkeys [a total of
over 1000 Vervet Monkeys], who are now living free at safe release sites, on
Bushveld farms in Limpopo.

Troops of Monkeys

Vervet Monekeys

Chacma Baboons

Lesser Bush Baby

Why Vervet Monkeys?

The value of free roaming Vervet Monkeys is priceless. They play an important role in creating a balanced, healthy environment for us. The Vervet Monkey Ecologist help create balance in our environment.

How can you help?

You can make the difference. Be the difference!

  • Volunteering
  • Internship
  • Volunteering Holiday (onsite Chalet guest)
  • Non Volunteering Holiday (onsite Chalet guest)
  • Join one of our daily guided wildlife tours
  • Help us in finding Sponsors
  • Become a Guardian Angel to one of our rescued Monkeys
  • Pledge a monthly donation of R100 to be a “Fan Supporter”
  • Collecting/Offering Product Donations for medicine, hardware, tools etc.
  • Donate towards our Veterinary Bill
  • Donate towards our running expenses: fuel, food, repairs etc

Support our cause

Visit us and learn about primates’ social behavior patterns and gain an understanding of these magnificent creatures.

Funding

The COVID-19 Pandemic, associated lock-downs and continuing repercussions have had an enormous negative impact pushing our existence to crisis point a number of times. With no help available from the Government and no Business Rescue Plan for Bambelela it has been very difficult to keep providing the basics of food and care month after month.

However – We are hopeful that all will improve soon, and are determined to continue to rescue and care for wildlife in need. Bringing to safety every animal that is in need of our help, & continuing to care for those already resident here. All whilst remaining focused on “THE 3 BIG Rs”. Including finding suitable land for safe future releases, providing the new forever homes for our monkeys’ second chance to live free again.

We strive to continue “to hold on” – Bambelela

Conflict between Humans & Vervet Monkeys

1. Resist the temptation to feed the monkeys

If they come too close, control them with direct eye contact and shoo them away. No attempts to touch them please.

2. Leave the monkeys alone

Teasing and touching them will only encourage them to stay around humans, which will defeat all the hard work of many years to hand-raise them and then wean them from human contact.

3. Keep eye contact and never turn your back on them

Hold their gaze and show them that they are not welcome near you, shoo them away with noise and body gestures. They won’t attack you from the front because they are intelligent enough to know that you are more powerful and stronger than them. Opportunistic as they are, they will only approach you when you turn your back on them and walk away.

4. Transferring males

Some males may choose to stay around humans for a while due to their confusion following having to leave their troop of birth when reaching sexual maturity. They are merely on the lookout for another monkey troop to join. Do not shoot them please…they are only following Nature’s Call. Nature forces them to do this to avoid inbreeding. They will move on again, usually after 2-4 weeks [if not fed!]