Monkey Discovered on Bus in Kensal Rise
A bus driver on the 302 route in Kensal Rise, London, made a startling discovery shortly before 11:45 am on Friday when he found a monkey abandoned in a laundry bag. The driver had stopped to help a mother struggling with a pram, only to find the bag obstructing the walkway. As he moved it, he heard chirping and realized the bag contained a small marmoset.
According to the RSPCA, the driver immediately cancelled the service and returned to the Metroline depot in Willesden to care for the animal. He contacted the RSPCA, who took the monkey into their care.
The Marmoset's Condition and Rescue
The female common marmoset was inside a small metal bird cage wrapped in a plastic chequered laundry bag. She had been left with some apple but was stressed and dehydrated. Claire Dew, RSPCA London chief inspector, said: "The monkey was inside a small, white, metal bird cage which had been wrapped inside a plastic, chequered laundry bag, with handles, so was well concealed. She’d been left with some apple but was, understandably, very stressed and dehydrated."
The bus driver and Metroline team kept the monkey calm in a dark, cool place until the RSPCA arrived. Dew added: "We’d like to say a big thank you to the bus driver and the team at Metroline who stayed calm, took the monkey back to their station, put her somewhere dark and cool, to keep her calm, and contacted us for help."
Investigation and Possible Motive
The RSPCA is investigating the abandonment and checking CCTV and bus logs to identify the person responsible. Dew said: "No one noticed anything unusual on the bus before the monkey was discovered but we’ll be looking at CCTV and the logs for scanning on and off the bus to see if we can locate the person who left her onboard."
Wildlife campaigners believe the abandonment may be linked to new legislation requiring all primates kept in England to be licensed. The marmoset was examined by a specialist exotics vet and given a clean bill of health.
Oyster's New Home
The monkey, now named Oyster in honour of her discovery on a London bus, is settling into a sanctuary with specialist facilities for primates. She will soon be introduced to a male companion who had been looking for a friend. Dew said: "In a twist of fate, a sanctuary had been working with us to find a suitable female marmoset to introduce to a lone male they were caring for. We were hoping to transfer one from the north of England but, when that fell through just a few hours before Oyster was rescued, it looked like destiny that Oyster was supposed to go there."
Oyster is eating well and may meet her new friend soon. If unclaimed, she will remain at the sanctuary with experienced keepers and a wonderful enclosure. The RSPCA appeals for anyone who saw someone board the bus with the laundry bag to call 0300 123 8018.
