Brennan E.J., Else J.G. and Altmann J. (1985) Ecology and behaviour of a pest primate: vervet monkeys in a tourist-lodge habitat. African Journal of Ecology 23:35-44

Abstract

The ecology and behaviour of vervent monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) living near a tourist lodge were studied during the peak tourist season in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Lodge vervets differed from other wild vervet populations as they occurred at higher population densities, exhibited greater intragroup aggression and fed on non-natural food made available through people. The human-animal conflict of greatest concern to conservationists and wildlife managers involves the monkeys attacking and injuring tourists around the lodge. Tourists are attacked more frequently than original reports would indicate.