Steve Smit, South Africa’s “Monkey Man,” has died

The Da extends condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Steve Smit, KZN ‘Monkey Man’

The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal has paid tribute to Steve Smit, the Monkey Helpline co-founder who spent 30 years of his life protecting wildlife.

Steve Smit, South Africa’s “Monkey Man,” has died

In 2015 Steve Smit badly injured his right eye while trying to round up rescued chickens in his garden in Westville, near Durban. A branch struck him and almost cost him his sight. Doctors told him to rest. Within weeks he had gone on more than 20 wildlife rescues, wearing an eye patch. For three decades Smit climbed trees, crossed roofs, crawled under buildings, and entered gardens to retrieve vervet monkeys that had been shot, shocked on power…