A surprising incident unfolded on Friday for a bus driver in London when he came to the aid of a woman struggling with a pram and discovered an abandoned monkey on his bus. The driver was assisting a mother on the 302 bus in Kensal Rise who was having difficulty maneuvering her buggy due to an obstruction caused by a laundry bag protruding from the luggage area around 11:45 am.
Upon investigating the situation, the driver heard a peculiar chirping sound emanating from the bag as he moved it aside. To his amazement, he uncovered a small marmoset inside the bag. Quickly reacting, the driver canceled the service and returned to the bus depot in Willesden to attend to the unexpected passenger.
The RSPCA was promptly contacted, and they arrived to retrieve the marmoset from the bus. The animal was taken to a more suitable environment for care after its bus journey, as reported by MyLondon. Claire Dew, RSPCA London chief inspector, expressed gratitude for the bus driver and Metroline team’s composed actions in handling the situation and reaching out for assistance.
Investigations are ongoing to identify the individual responsible for abandoning the monkey on the bus. It is speculated by wildlife advocates that this act may be linked to recent legislation requiring licenses for all primates kept in England. Fortunately, the marmoset received a clean bill of health after being examined by a specialist exotics vet.
Named ‘Oyster’ in tribute to her bus encounter, the marmoset has found a new home at a sanctuary equipped with specialized facilities for primates. Plans are in place for Oyster to be introduced to a male companion, fulfilling her need for companionship. Chief Inspector Dew highlighted the fortunate turn of events that led Oyster to the sanctuary and expressed optimism about her future well-being.
Anyone with information regarding the individual who boarded the bus with the laundry bag is urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeal line. The organization is actively investigating the incident to ensure accountability for the mistreatment of the marmoset.