Arthur Hunt Co-Founder, Director & Rehabilitator of the Vervet Monkey Foundation passed away suddenly at the age of 63 years on 18th February 2009.

The monkeys were his life – he would never be without them, he fought for them and lived with them.

Arthur fought for the vervet monkeys for the last 18 years and his favourite quote was ‘Monkeys come first’ which he told in many an orientation and that’s exactly what the Vervet Monkey Foundation was set up to do - to protect the vervets and we will continue to do so.

Rest in Peace ‘Alpha Male’ and know that the monkeys will always be with you, for the loss is hard but the achievements are great.

The service was held on 28th February 2009 where volunteers and staff of the Vervet Monkey Foundation gathered on top of the hill to hold a small ceremony in Arthur's memory to say words of his achievements and to celebrate his life.

Dave Du Toit (Chairperson & Co-Founder) will be taking over earlier than expected as Arthur was planning to retire in the near future.

The two of them have dedicated themselves to the foundation from the start and have fought for the monkeys for nearly 2 decades. The Vervet Monkey Foundation will continue to live and grow as was both their dream to ensure a future for the vervets.

Dave Du Toit can be contacted on dave@vervet.za.org or 083 4545 381.

Thank you all for your kind words, we have compiled some of them in a memorial wall below:

"I will always remember Arthur for his genuine compassion for his vervets.  Whilst nursing very ill Toulouse and Maire in sickbay he asked me why I was so weepy. I replied that I felt so helpless in this situation and wished I had the power to nurse them back to health. He said, ' Once you stop having feelings like that you need to stop working with animals - I have cried so may times over these vervets'.  I will always remember those words, and his work and dedication has fired my passion and career path for primates.”

Jude Roycroft  (Volunteer, N.Ireland, 2008)

“Truly all can be fixed with a little honey :) a lesson I will continue to pass on. I will be thankful for my experiences at the VMF for the rest of my life, I never believed in life changing events but Arthur and the team wholey transformed me. I left a piece of my heart with you all and I'll be back to get it someday soon! I am forever greatful.

Jenna Barry (Volunteer, UK, June/July 07)

“I met Arthur, when I volunteered at the Vervet Monkey Foundation during the summer (well UK's summer months) of 2002 for just over a month and I can honestly say that I have never met such an impressionable human being ever. Not only was I completely in awe of Arthur with all his life stories from both past experiences and with the monkeys, but also my mother was even though she had never even met him! I must not have shut up about him when I came home!
 
Arthur had such an honest, kind heart and the Vervets will be lost without him! I remember being mesmerised by the way he 'talked' to the monkeys and the telling off he would give to 'Chappy' when he would come into the camp to steal our toothbrushes! Most importantly he took the time out to email and thank all of the volunteers that summer for doing all the firebreaking, as when we had left, a bush fire had broken out near to the camp, which luckily did not reach any of the enclosures.
 
It wasnt until after meeting and working with Arthur, did I fully appreciate everything we have over here in the UK. I wish everyone at the Vervet Monkey Foundation all the best in the future and have no doubt that Arthur's memory will continue indefinitely, along with his bandana I hope!”
 
Kirsten Grotte (Volunteer, 2002, Manchester, UK)

"I am writing with great sorrow upon learning of the loss to the VMF.  It is deeply saddening news to hear about Arthurs sudden passing and my thoughts are with all close friends and family, Dave & Josie, the long term volunteers,  and of course the Monkeys at this sad time! Arthur was a great character who showed compassion the likes of which I have never seen before and will likely not see first hand again. His enthusiasm never waivered, his beliefs were so strong for such a valuable cause. Upon entering the VMF I didnt know what to expect from myself and quickly discovered myself feeling passionate for a worthy cause from day one. I think this was largely from my first meeting with Arthur and his legendary orientations. Sure it was long, very long but it never dragged. You found yourself immediately enthralled in what he had to say and absorbing his passion, his feelings and his beliefs. He was a great story teller, a great fighter, a caring man where others turned a blind eye and will be sorely missed!
 
After all his hard work and endeavour, I hope he can rest well now. It’s been wonderfully earned.”
 
Keith Ogilvie (Volunteer, UK, 2008)

"It was with great sadness that I just read the email about Arthur. I thought Arthur would live forever and of course, he will. But I feel very sad and very honored to have had the privilege to work with him. His wonderful enthusiasm when I began working on NATEMBA in the tent in the tent village was what inspired me to keep going with it and eventually create the book. I will never forget Arthur and his amazing love for the monkeys and whenever I get down or think things are too hard or indeed impossible, I always think of Arthur and his incredible legacy and it always spurs me on. I know he has left the VMF in the very best of hands and that his spirit will always be there helping but I know how greatly missed he will be."

Nettie Lodge (Volunteer, Australia & Author of Natemba)

"There should be more people in this world like Arthur Hunt. The work and dedication he put in helping our vervets cannot be measured in words. I feel honored to have met Arthur when I was at the foundation in Jan 2009. Arthur's work is not done...he will now be reunited with the babies and other monkeys who are no longer with us. As other vervets make their final journey they will be met and welcomed by Arthur's loving open arms.  Thank you Arthur."

Dawn Patrick (Volunteer, Canada Jan 09)

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Arthur. Arthur was a wonderful man  who made you look at life in a different way. He was a selfless individual who brought happiness to so many vervet monkeys, and touched the lives of everyone he met, including myself.

I remember my first meeting with Arthur vividly, he gave a talk to a few of the volunteers about the VMF and how it all began, whilst he was telling us the amazing story the most incredible thing happened, one of the bandit monkeys came over to Arthur, voluntarily climbed on to his shoulder, and perched there for the remainder of the story. It was fascinating to watch how the monkey had such a respect and sense of safety with Arthur, and I will never forget this image.

Arthur was a true hero, and he will be greatly missed by everyone he had ever met and I am honered to have met him.

Gemma Valens (Volunteer, 2008, UK)

“I was a volunteer at the Foundation in late 2003 and was lucky enough to work with Arthur and learn about the wonderful Vervet Monkey.  Long before arriving in Tzaneen I heard of Arthur and his passion for the Vervets.  For some reason I assumed that this love and respect for the monkeys would mean that he would not be particularly good at communicating with or enjoying the company of humans.  I was wrong.  His death is a terrible loss to South Africa but his life was a wonderful and lasting gift. 
Thank you Arthur.
 
To those of you still working with the monkeys - I wish you all the best.  I'm sure everyone who has ever volunteered for Arthur is right behind you.
 
Sarah Toney (Volunteer, England 2003)

There are currently some preliminary plans in the works to create a memorial book for Arthur that can hopefully raise some funds that would really help his beloved vervets out.

He had profound impacts on all of our lives. I doubt if a single volunteer went to that amazing place without changing their outlooks on life in some way, without understanding the world in a different way and without feeling like a better person at the end of their stay. Arthur's passion dedication made it possible for all of us to figure out how we can do our part to make a better world for animals. He paved the roads that brought us all together and changed our lives.

Everyone has some beautiful thoughts on Arthur to share. If you could send them to:

ArthurHuntMemorial@yahoo.com while they're still fresh, we will do our best to compile them in a way that will help out the vervets and allow Arthur's message to live on. If anyone has pictures too, that could be great, or if you'd like to do some kind of artistic project, send thoughts there.
Thanks,
Fionnuala Kerins

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge - added by Dawn Patrick

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...