Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence: Conservation and Rehabilitation Challenges Facing Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in South Africa

Human–wildlife conflict represents an important challenge for biodiversity conservation and wildlife welfare, particularly in South Africa, where rapid urban expansion increasingly overlaps with wildlife habitats. This thesis investigates the conflict and coexistence between humans and vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), focusing on the conservation and rehabilitation challenges affecting this species. The thesis is based on a review of the scientific literature and was informed by the practical experience gained during a three-month traineeship at the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (C.R.O.W.), in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The internship provided direct insight into different stages of the rehabilitation process of vervet monkeys, including clinical management, husbandry practices, and behavioural assessment. The thesis examines major drivers and consequences of human–vervet interactions, including the exploitation of anthropogenic resources, road traffic accidents, deliberate persecution, and illegal captivity and trade. It also investigates the main challenges associated with vervet monkey rehabilitation, including socialisation and troop formation, development of appropriate survival skills, dishabituation from humans, release-site selection, and post-release monitoring. Overall, the findings highlight that effective management of human–vervet conflict requires an integrated approach combining prevention of negative interactions, responsible management of anthropogenic resources, public education, appropriate rehabilitation practices, and long-term post-release monitoring.