The common marmoset was discovered on a 302 bus in Kensal Rise shortly before 11.45am on Friday morning (July 17) and has since been named ‘Oyster’ in honour of her discovery on a London bus
A London bus driver had to head back to the depot after finding a frightened monkey left behind by its owner.
The common marmoset was found on a 302 bus in Kensal Rise just before 11.45am on Friday morning (July 17). According to the RSPCA, a mother reportedly boarded the bus with her pushchair but struggled to navigate the aisle due to a laundry bag protruding from the luggage bay.
When the driver assisted and began moving the bag aside, the monkey started chirping and jumping. Upon this discovery, the driver looked into the bag and found an abandoned monkey, leading to their decision to return to the Willesden depot and contact the RSPCA.
Claire Dew, RSPCA London chief inspector, stated: “The monkey – a female common marmoset – 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.
“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.
“They’ve been incredibly helpful and are now assisting with our enquiries so we can trace the person responsible for dumping her.
“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.”, reports MyLondon.
Wildlife campaigners suspect the abandonment is a reaction to fresh legislation requiring all primates kept in England to be licensed.
The marmoset was examined by a specialist exotics vet for a health check but, fortunately, was given a clean bill of health.
She has since been lovingly dubbed ‘Oyster’, in tribute to her discovery on a London bus, and is adapting to a new home at a sanctuary with specialist facilities for primates. Shortly she will be introduced to a new male companion who had been seeking a friend.
Chief Inspector Dew added: “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.
“She’s settled in really well over the weekend, and is eating well, so hopefully she’ll be able to meet her new friend soon. If she isn’t claimed then she’ll remain there with experienced keepers, a wonderful enclosure and company.”
The RSPCA is currently conducting an investigation and is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed someone boarding the bus with the laundry bag to get in touch via their appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
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