Now translated into a story for children, Monkey Helpline’s rescue mission that saved three vervet monkeys at sea will reach and inspire little minds, too!
South Africa (16 October 2025) – Recently, Kate Boyes from Hero in my Hood reached out to us. She had adapted one of our recent articles for kids and was itching to share it with us.
The article, published in September, follows the Monkey Helpline’s Steve Smit and companion Daniel as they rescued three vervet monkeys that had been trapped on a cargo ship at sea. The story is incredible, and so is the work that Monkey Helpline does every day.
Kate stepped in to make the inspiring story readable for children, and she illustrated it too! Have a read.
The Monkeys Who Went to Sea
One sunny morning in Durban, Steve and Daniel got a surprising call.
“Three monkeys are on a big ship out at sea!”Steve’s eyes grew wide. “Monkeys on a ship? We must help them!”
Steve and Daniel worked for Monkey Helpline. They had rescued birds, fish, and even small animals before. But never monkeys out on the ocean!
The plan was to fly in a helicopter.
But the helicopter couldn’t go.
“Oh no,” said Daniel.Related Stories
Then something amazing happened.
The ship’s captain said, “We will turn the whole ship around and bring it back to Durban.”
It cost a lot of time and money, but the captain cared more about saving the monkeys.A small supply boat took Steve and Daniel bouncing across the waves.
The sea was rough, and the safety training made Steve’s heart race.
At last, they climbed aboard the giant cargo ship.“Let’s find those monkeys!” Steve said.
The ship’s crew had already built a huge trap.
It was six metres long!
Inside, one monkey was waiting, safe behind the sliding door.“Wow!” Steve gasped. “The crew really cares.”
But two monkeys were still free.
One dashed into a cabin full of gas canisters.
It leapt high along the pipes.“Careful…” whispered Daniel.
Steve lifted his net… swish! Got him!The last monkey was gently coaxed into another trap.
Within an hour, all three were safe in travel boxes.The crew cheered.
The monkeys were loaded onto the small supply boat.
Steve and Daniel waved goodbye to the giant ship.On the way back, the sea sparkled.
“Look!” Daniel pointed.
A young whale was swimming alongside, puffing water into the air.
It felt like nature’s way of saying “thank you.”Back at Monkey Helpline, the monkeys rested.
They were thin, dusty, and frightened.
One had lost a hand.
One had a sore eye.
The little female clung to her friends.But now they were safe.
Carol, the kind “feeder,” smiled.
“With good food and care, they’ll be strong again.
This ship adventure will just be a story they tell one day.”And so, three curious monkeys—who went to sea in a “pea green boat”—were saved by people who cared enough to turn a whole ship around.
WATCH: Vietnamese Creator Tries Peppermint Tart for the First Time
WATCH: South Africa Wants to Know Why Rassie and Siya Went BaldMan, that made us smile.
Kate is on a mission to turn learning into an adventure through Hero in my Hood which she co-founded alongside Mandy Lomberg in 2016. The team creates story-driven activity books and educational resources for children that not only teach the basics like counting, language, and problem-solving, but also inspire them to be courageous and kind.
Their resources help children learn, grow, and see themselves as everyday heroes.
Another initiative we’re proud to be connected with!
PS: Stay tuned, Kate is eager to share more kid-friendly Good Things Guy stories – follow along here.
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