Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
International Primate Day is observed on September 1st every year. It brings awareness to the plight of primates and seeks to educate people about these highly intelligent animals.
More than 60% of primate species worldwide are threatened with extinction, due to habitat loss, poaching, and other human activities.
Out of over 500 nonhuman primates, there are around 505 species living in the wild across 90 countries. The monkey population alone includes about 260 distinct species.
Chacma Baboons are one species we see on the Djuma Cam and they live in troops ranging from 8 to 200 individuals, with a highly organized structure. When moving, dominant males lead the group, females and young stay protected in the middle, and less dominant males follow behind. They use at least 10 different vocal calls to communicate.
We also see Vervet Monkeys at the Djuma Cam. These mostly herbivorous monkeys have black faces and grey body hair. Vervets live in social groups ranging from 10 to 70 individuals, with males moving to other groups at the time of sexual maturity. Females remain in their natal family groups throughout their life. While they are mostly herbivorous, we do see them raiding bird nests, much to the chagrin of the lapwings and other birds at Djuma Cam. In one clip here, we see that one of the monkeys has either lost one foot to an old injury or was born without it. Despite missing a foot, you can see it is thriving and its ability to climb is not impacted. Nature is amazing!
Celebrate International Primate Day with us by watching these lovely highlight clips of recent sightings of the Djuma Baboon Troop and local Vervet Monkeys going about their days in the wild.
International Primate Day is observed on September 1st every year. It brings awareness to the plight of primates and seeks to educate people about these highly intelligent animals.
More than 60% of primate species worldwide are threatened with extinction, due to habitat loss, poaching, and other human activities.
Out of over 500 nonhuman primates, there are around 505 species living in the wild across 90 countries. The monkey population alone includes about 260 distinct species.
Chacma Baboons are one species we see on the Djuma Cam and they live in troops ranging from 8 to 200 individuals, with a highly organized structure. When moving, dominant males lead the group, females and young stay protected in the middle, and less dominant males follow behind. They use at least 10 different vocal calls to communicate.
We also see Vervet Monkeys at the Djuma Cam. These mostly herbivorous monkeys have black faces and grey body hair. Vervets live in social groups ranging from 10 to 70 individuals, with males moving to other groups at the time of sexual maturity. Females remain in their natal family groups throughout their life. While they are mostly herbivorous, we do see them raiding bird nests, much to the chagrin of the lapwings and other birds at Djuma Cam. In one clip here, we see that one of the monkeys has either lost one foot to an old injury or was born without it. Despite missing a foot, you can see it is thriving and its ability to climb is not impacted. Nature is amazing!
Celebrate International Primate Day with us by watching these lovely highlight clips of recent sightings of the Djuma Baboon Troop and local Vervet Monkeys going about their days in the wild.
