As many of you may have noticed, there is a lively group of Vervet monkeys which have been roaming the campus. Monkeys have not consistently been part of the wildlife on our campus, however, they have been known to visit from time to time. Although they are fun to look at, monkeys can be very destructive and at times aggressive, presenting a danger to campus users. They can be more aggressive to women. ILRI is working on having the monkeys safely relocated to somewhere outside of the city.

Until then, please be aware of the following points:

• If monkeys are seen, please call Security at 2700 who are working hard to scare them away and dissuade them from returning. Do not try to scare them away yourself
• Feeding monkeys on the ILRI campus is prohibited. Staff/residents/visitors should not, under any circumstance, feed monkeys either directly by hand or by throwing food in their direction.
• Never come closer than 10 meters from the monkeys so that they do not feel threatened or in danger and hence respond aggressively. People should always move away from monkeys when they see them and the monkeys will generally withdraw to a distance of approximately 10 meters.
• In the event an aggressive monkey approaches you, shout loudly and angrily and throw a non-harmful object at the monkey. It is not the purpose to injure the monkey but to humanely dissuade it from an encounter.
• All food waste containers must be covered in such a way that the monkeys cannot access them. If needed, the Engineering and Facilities unit can assist by installing or repairing cages for waste. Contact ILRIETEngineering.
• Residents, housekeeping staff, and all campus users must ensure that all doors and windows are kept closed at all times and only windows with protection that does not allow monkey access can be left open. If windows need to be ‘monkey proofed’ to allow ventilation, contact Engineering at ILRIETEngineering.

Emergency Response to a Bite, Scratch or Splash from a Monkey

If you are bitten or scratched or splashed by a monkey, ensure the following basic first aid immediately:

• Bite / Scratch: Handle like any other bite by infectious animal and wash the area thoroughly with flowing water and soap allowing the blood to flow for about 5 minutes. If the wound is still bleeding cover loosely and immediately see a doctor. St Yared is the nearest hospital to the ILRI campus. Inform the doctor you have been bitten by a monkey.
• Splash: Wash the area splashed thoroughly with water and soap at least for 5 minutes. If the splash was on a body opening including a wound then see a doctor immediately. If the splash is into the eye then rinse the eye thoroughly with running water and if possible use eyewash for 5 minutes. See a doctor immediately.
• Inform! Until our new Health and Safety officer, Ashenafi Kidanemariam, has completed his training, please inform me Gail Amare, Head of Administration, in the event of a bite, scratch or splash. All incidents should be reported. My email is G.Amare and my phone number is extension 2112 or 0911-11-10-77 or 0930-09-74-57.

Gail Amare | Head of Administration, Ethiopia
Email: G.Amare@cgiar.org

For assistance, contact Abeba Zenebe |Senior Administrative Assistant