A Volunteer Case Study - Monkey
Heather is a veterinary student who volunteered with us in Autumn 2007. During her time with us, she wrote about a case that was particularly close to her heart. A monkey that had been hit by a vehicle came into the hospital. Thanks to the care and attention that was given, the monkey was released within 2 weeks. This is their story:
‘It’s inevitable when you work closely with animals that certain cases or characters will interest you more than others, and some steal your heart. It was a day like any other when the rescue vehicle pulled up at the hospital and unloaded a few dogs with infested bite wounds, a calf who had been lying down for four days and a baby monkey.
He was in a sorry state having been hit by a vehicle on what the locals call Snake Mountain, named after the twisting road that winds its way over the hill between Pushkar and Ajmer. There were no visible wounds but he was paralysed, confused and very depressed.
This monkey has been hit by a car and is suffering from brain damage
We gave him steroids to reduce the pain and swelling, we couldn’t find any fractures so it was a case of hoping and praying that the paralysis was a temporary disability caused by swelling and bruising around the spinal cord.He was an instant hit with the ladies. He was drip fed water from a syringe to keep his fluid balance stable and left to rest.
The next day he was still off balance and face down, badly concussed but if he was held upright and supported he would eat a very little banana if it was squashed and put in his mouth. By the next day he could lick it off when you smeared it on his lips. A day later and he would open his mouth ready for it. Little by little he was trying to move, becoming aware of his surroundings.
Monkey a little better but still lopsided
The next day he put his hand out to try and grab at the apple we were feeding him. As he began to bite and chew we were able to feed him apples and papaya as well as bananas. We made a special feeder for him to encourage his co-ordination and reduce his dependence on humans.
Then there was a phone call from the animal assistants – Monkey wasn’t eating. It turned out that they had run out of apple and banana and he had only had papaya for 2 days and had gone in the huff! He was placated with some Parle G biscuits and a fresh supply of fruit bought in specially.
After a 2 week stay at the compound he was fit and healthy, ready to be released, much to the dismay of the volunteers who had fallen in love with him! The rescue vehicle took him back to the exact spot he was found at and released him back into the jungle. He was greeted by his family who came bounding down out of the trees to meet him, and took him home.’
This wee monkey went home the next day. He was met by his troop at the spot he was rescued from
April 14th, 2008 at 21:26
Lovely ending. Usually when animals are released back to their home, we don’t see the reception. Wish I’d been there to see Monkey recognised and welcomed back into his group. Wonderful!