A surprising discovery unfolded for a bus driver in London on Friday when he came to the aid of a woman struggling with a pram and stumbled upon an abandoned monkey on his bus. The incident occurred on the 302 bus route in Kensal Rise around 11:45 am.
The bus driver intervened to assist the woman who was having difficulty maneuvering her buggy due to a laundry bag obstructing the walkway. Upon moving the bag aside, he heard a chirping sound emanating from inside, as reported by the RSPCA.
To his amazement, the driver found a marmoset inside the bag, prompting him to halt the service and return to the bus depot in Willesden to attend to the unexpected passenger. The RSPCA was notified and swiftly took the marmoset for proper care after its peculiar bus journey, according to MyLondon.
Claire Dew, RSPCA London chief inspector, expressed gratitude towards the bus driver and Metroline team for their composed handling of the situation, ensuring the marmoset’s well-being until help arrived. Efforts are underway to identify the individual responsible for abandoning the animal using CCTV footage and bus entry logs.
The abandonment is believed to be linked to recent legislation mandating licenses for keeping primates in England. Fortunately, the marmoset underwent a health assessment by a specialist vet and was found to be in good condition.
Affectionately named ‘Oyster’ after her bus encounter, the marmoset has found sanctuary in a specialized facility for primates and will soon be introduced to a male companion. Chief Inspector Dew highlighted the serendipitous turn of events that led Oyster to her new home and expressed optimism about her future.
The RSPCA is actively investigating the incident and encourages any witnesses who saw someone boarding the bus with the laundry bag to come forward. Contact the appeal line at 0300 123 8018 with any information.
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