Vervet Monkeys

[Paradoxurus]

This subject does overlap the Guenon thread I guess.

There seems to be at least four collections with Vervets in the UK at the moment:

- 2 at Shepreth Wildlife Park (non-breeding, ISIS lists 2.1)
- 10 at Sandown (in 2 groups according to their website, including a batchelor group of 3, ISIS lists 1.3 and 3.2 subspecific hybrids)
- 3.2 Curraghs (according to ISIS)
- 1.3 at Dartmoor
- 2.2 at Suffolk (according to ISIS)
- Woburn (does Woburn still keep them?)

There are more in private hands though I presume that none of them are breeding

None of the population is listed by ISIS as being of known subspecies. If Sandown's 3.2 are known to be racial hybrids then that of the parents must be known. Does anyone know the origins of any of these groups? Are there any individuals known to be pure?

I recenty heard that Sandown may be looking to 'phase out' the species. It would be a shame to dispose of the the most viable of the British groups.

How much exchange of blood goes on between different collections? Though there seems to be a lot more of them in captivity than most other guenons, they are much lower profile and I am unaware of any wider population management protocols.

 

[jacks zoo]

The group at Dartmoor are also hybrid, the original male 'jaime' was a fantastic specimen of Green Vervet Monkey! He lived alone for many years alongside a pair of Capuchins in the existing monkey enclosures. Later two female Grivet Monkeys were obtained from Combe Martin and introduced to the lone male. They bred on many occasions, most surviving into adulthood. It was eventually decided to rehome the capuchins, giving the vervet/grivet access to the both enclosures. Sadly 'jaime' passed away in the late 90s, leaving the 2 female grivets and several offspring. Im not sure exactly which are left now but they are certainly hybrids, and may also have in- bred in later years

 

[Pertinax]

I recenty heard that Sandown may be looking to 'phase out' the species. It would be a shame to dispose of the the most viable of the British groups.

There's a monkey 'rescue centre' opening on the IOW shortly, maybe they'll be sent there as its closeby.