'It is a greater bushbaby, not a tokoloshe'

Date: 15 May 2015   Read: 2565

I am writing this letter in response to the cover story I killed the tokoloshe by Elmon Tshikhudo in Limpopo Mirror of 8 May 2015.

I am deeply concerned about the article and would like to take the opportunity to clarify and inform people about the so-called strange creature or tokoloshe which the article is about.

For a zoologist or nature enthusiast there is nothing strange about the creature the community member is holding in his hands in the photo accompanying the article. The animal is neither unknown nor dangerous. The English common name for this animal is greater galago or greater bushbaby (Otolemur crassicaudatus), the latter name stemming from the baby-like calls the animal makes at night. In TshiVenda it is known as zelehani. 

Greater bushbaby (Otolemur crassicaudatus) in a fig tree in the Soutpansberg. Photo supplied

The greater bushbaby uses these calls to communicate with other bushbabies – much like the roar of a lion or a dog’s bark.

The bushbaby belongs to the primates, like baboons, monkeys and humans. South Africa is home to two different kinds of bushbabies: the greater bushbaby (the one Mr Munzhelele chose to kill) and the lesser bushbaby – as the names indicate the lesser bushbaby is much smaller than the greater bushbaby.

Bushbabies are active sporadically throughout the night, moving from their daytime resting places at about sunset.

 They live in small groups of up to six individuals, but generally search for food on their own. The greater bushbaby mainly feeds on fruit and vegetable matter and gum from the sweet thorn, being predominantly vegetarian. It generally does not eat meat or hunt other animals. Although the calls of the bushbaby can be heard frequently in areas they occur, they are very shy creatures and getting a glimpse of them in the wild is a rare and special occasion.

The greater bushbaby can be found in forests including those along streams and rivers, well developed woodlands and thickets. Bushbabies spend most of their time in the canopy of trees, but do occasionally come to the ground when searching for food. The greater bushbaby mostly moves in the canopy of trees on all four legs, walking or running along branches. When on the ground they can sometimes be seen hopping on their hind legs, moving in a semi-upright position on two legs only and using their tail for balance. The greater bushbaby is increasingly threatened by the loss of forest and woodland habitat in the country.

I would like to appeal to people to refrain from killing or persecuting these fascinating animals. They pose no threat to humans whatsoever and there is absolutely no need to be afraid of them. Like every living creature on the planet, bushbabies play an important role in nature and they are part of South Africa’s amazing natural heritage which we should all be proud of and help protect for the generations to come.

The misinformation contained in this article and complete lack of understanding of the character of this animal, particularly fuelling fear that this harmless species poses a threat to people, can result in detrimental impacts on populations of this gentle primate, similar to the unfounded belief concerning the medicinal properties of rhino horn. 

- Birthe Linden, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda

 

 

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