eThekwini Municipality to Launch Science-Led Initiative as Durban North Vervet Monkey Populations Surge 12 Times Beyond Ecological Limits

New research shows Durban North monkeys have reached 12x their natural limit. eThekwini Municipality and UKZN are launching a science-led project to manage the surge.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 5:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Zainul Dawood/IOL.

Ecological Overshoot in Durban's North Coastal Belt

A critical imbalance has been identified in the urban ecosystems of Durban North, La Lucia, Umhlanga, and uMdloti. According to research conducted in November 2025 by Pete Graham, vervet monkey populations have ballooned to between 6 and 12 times the natural ecological carrying capacity. Graham’s study, When Fences Go Up, Monkeys Move In, describes the phenomenon as a "modern ecological distortion" fueled by human-driven factors rather than habitat loss alone.

The "Beneficiaries" of Urbanisation

Contrary to the common belief that monkeys are victims of urban sprawl, Graham’s findings suggest they are actually beneficiaries of it. The population boom, which accelerated in the late 1990s, correlates directly with the rise of lush, irrigated gardens, accessible fast-food waste, and the widespread use of bird feeders. Furthermore, the removal of natural apex predators—such as Crowned and Martial Eagles—has eliminated the biological checks that typically keep troop numbers in balance. This "overshoot" has led to a collapse in local bird-life, particularly among weavers and sunbirds, who fall prey to the ecologically degraded monkey populations.

Municipal Collaboration with UKZN-PMB

To move beyond anecdotal management, the eThekwini Municipality’s Community Services Committee is proposing a formal collaboration with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus (UKZN-PMB). Scheduled for council approval at the end of April 2026, the initiative will involve the Natural Resources Division (NRD) and the Durban Natural Science Museum. Zama Sokhabase, chairperson of the committee, noted that there is currently a significant lack of scientific data regarding the specific troop counts and expansion rates within the city.