VMF takes care of orphaned and injured vervet monkeys while making people aware about them in order to prevent conflict between them and humans. Dave Du Toit, Founder of South Africa’s Vervet Monkey Foundation observed: “I think a better approach and more publicly acceptable would be to vasectomise the males and sterilise the females.” However, some suggested management of the environment and sterilisation are better options. Among those who have complained are farmers as these creatures were “raiding their crops and destroying their livelihood”, said the Foundation. As per the NGO the population will continue to grow and harm the native ecosystem unless they are checked. In 2020 the Foundation’s study had stated that there were 450 vervet monkeys on the Dutch side of the island and now their numbers are expected to have increased. Species management is an important aspect of keeping the island healthy for those who come after us.” Justifying their culling, Leslie Hickerson, Foundation’s Manager said: “When a species establishes a population in an area that it isn’t native to there are often no predators to keep the population size under control. They are also found in Nevis and St Kitts islands and reached the Caribbean in 17th Century when European settlers brought them as exotic pets. Native of eastern and southern Africa, these monkeys have grey brown bodies and their black faces are bordered with white fur. Nature Foundation St Maarten, a non-governmental organisation has been asked to snare 450 of these primates and euthanise them in the next three years. Courtesy wikimedia commons)Ī decision by the Government of Sint Maarten, a country on the southern part of a Caribbean Island and part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has triggered an outrage among the wildlife enthusiasts.Īs per a report in, the authorities have decided to kill all the vervet monkeys present in their territory as these invasive species are creating problems for its populace.

The entire population of 450 Vervet monkeys, an invasive species at Dutch Caribbean island, will be wiped out (Pic.

Road Kill by S.R. Martin