Monkeying around... with dogs: Playful three are best friends

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Rare sighting: An endangered De Brazza's monkey plays with one of the two Jack Russell Terriers at Barnley's Guesthouse in Kitale, Kenya


It was a moment of horror for wildlife photographers Vicki and Adam Scott Kennedy as they witnessed a rare De Brazza's monkey being 'attacked' by two Jack Russell terriers in Kenya.

But that horror soon turned to joy as they realised that, in fact, the animals were only playing and the couple were witnessing a unique spectacle.

For no sooner had the two dogs released the monkey from their grip, than the monkey turned the tables and chased them around the gardens of Barnley's Guesthouse near Kitale in northwest Kenya.


Surprise: The Kennedys had heard that a lone De Brazza's Monkey, an endangered species in Kenya, had been seen occasionally in and around the gardens of the guesthouse


A tennis ball seemed to be the hub of the commotion and the monkey was seen stealing it from the dogs and running away with it.

The dogs, Nippy and Bully, gave chase and when they got close, the monkey spun around and held its ground before jumping all over the terriers and playing with them, often tumbling over with a dog firmly in its grip.

This continued for 20 minutes before another Jack Russell arrived on the scene that the monkey was clearly not comfortable with.


Fast friends: An endangered De Brazza's monkey plays with two Jack Russell terriers as they chase their tails


Rough and tumble: Wildlife photographers Vicki and Adam Scott Kennedy initially thought they were witnessing an attack


It jumped up into some trees and didn't come down again until its playmates were alone once more.

During their photographic expedition to the remote northwest of the country, the Kennedys had heard that a lone De Brazza's Monkey, an endangered species in Kenya, had been seen occasionally in and around the gardens of the guesthouse, run by Jane Barnley and her son Richard.

'We were hoping that the monkey would put in an appearance during our stay but wildlife is inherently unpredictable so we didn't bank on it,' said Adam, 38, who manages Naibor Camp 250 miles from Kitale in the Masai Mara Game Reserve with his wife Vicki, 34.


Incoming: The Kennedys soon realised the animals were only playing and they were witnessing a unique spectacle



Crash landing: The Kennedys were making a trip from their home in the dry plains of the Masai Mara in Southern Kenya


'We had seen several De Brazza's at nearby Saiwa Swamp National Park the previous day but they are very wary of people and did not allow a close approach for photography.

'So we were very excited when the monkey entered the gardens on the last day of our visit.'

Vicki added: 'It was simply incredible to see this wild animal interacting so positively with the domestic dogs.'


Chase: The two house Jack Russells, Nippy and Bully, chased the monkey when they got close


Truce: The playmates take a break from their game


Top dog: The monkey spun around and held its ground, and gave as good as it got


Close pals: The two Jack Russells land the monkey live at Barnley's Guesthouse in Kitale, Kenya, in the cool western highlands


Off again: The De Brazza's monkey plays with the two Jack Russell Terriers as they start their chase game again


source: dailymail