Five Rescued Monkeys Make the World a Better Place
Finding safe haven for themselves and other species.
By Natasha Tworoski
If video footage of extremely adorable baby monkeys is your thing, boy are you in luck! A new film, “The Vervet Forest,” is now being screened in select theaters. It follows the journey of five orphaned vervet monkeys doing the best they can after having a traumatic beginning in life. Despite their unfortunate start, the monkeys are lucky to be rescued by the Vervet Monkey Foundation, a PASA member in South Africa.
View the trailer here!
With wild places becoming fewer and farther between, the film addresses why tension between humans and monkeys is now more strained than ever. Viewed as vermin by some and witches by others, vervet monkeys face a plethora of hurdles beyond finding food and habitat.
An unexpected inspiration of the movie is its “big picture” message, which focuses on the importance of diversity in ecosystems. Placing a group of monkeys in an isolated plot of trees ultimately will not be successful. A variety of trees, plants, insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals are needed to make a healthy, viable forest. The film discusses the finer points of why diversity is so crucial and how any of us, anywhere in the world, can do our part to make the world a bit healthier by following this mentality.
Proceeds from the movie will go towards establishing a forest in South Africa that promotes biodiversity. While it will be called The Vervet Forest, it ultimately will be a safe haven to a huge diversity of African species.
Want to get involved?
– Tell your friends about The Vervet Forest.
– Go see the movie! Keep an eye on this page as more screenings become available.
– If you’re able, host a screening!
Fifty percent of the proceeds from this film will go towards purchasing a reserve in South Africa, where rescued vervet monkeys will be given a second chance at being wild again.
Next Posts
Primates and Tourism: How to Be a Responsible Primate Tourist
Planning your post-pandemic travel? Visiting your favorite primate species can be a great way to contribute to their conservation while having an amazing experience.
The PASA Interview: Richard Reens
Compassion, Care and Love: The Story of Making the Film Pant Hoot
The PASA Interview: Adams Cassinga
The founder of Conserv Congo shares how his team of passionate, unpaid investigators gets results in bringing wildlife criminals to justice.
2020 – A Year Like No Other
PASA and our member sanctuaries continue working tirelessly during pandemic.
Changing Lives for Twenty Years – Part II
This is the second installment of our blog series celebrating the many lives that have been transformed through the life-saving care provided by PASA members.
World Gorilla Day
September 24 marks World Gorilla Day! This day is an opportunity to celebrate gorillas and take action to protect these remarkable African great apes …
The Success of Mountain Gorilla Conservation and the Status of all Gorilla Subspecies
At the end of 2019, primate lovers rejoiced at the results of the mountain gorilla census that spanned their native range of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo…
Changing Lives for Twenty Years
As PASA celebrates 20 years of saving Africa’s primates, let’s look back on some of the most memorable characters we’ve met – the apes and monkeys who make the work so special.
Research at PASA Wildlife Centres
PASA members have collaborated with scientists around the world to investigate questions about primates that are difficult to answer in the wild.
It’s Time to End the Commercial Trade of Wildlife
We stand unequivocally on the side of wildlife conservation.