Monkey hunting in Zimbabwe

Two species of Monkey occur in Zimbabwe, the Blue or Samago Monkey and the Vervet Monkey. Only Vervet Monkeys are hunted. These small grey Monkeys with black faces and long tails are common throughout the country. An adult male's scrotum is bright blue. Although they spend much of their time feeding on the ground these monkeys are swift tree climbers. They are never found far from water and spend the heat of the day resting and return to their roosting trees in the late afternoon. Most of their foraging is done in the early morning and they can become pests stealing from kitchens, dining rooms, vegetable gardens and fruit orchids at hunting camps, villages and even city homesteads. Although listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN, a CITES II permit is required to hunt a Vervet Monkey.