South Africa's 'Monkey Man' Steve Smit Dies After Battle with Cancer

Steve Smit, known as the 'Monkey Man,' has passed away after a long battle with cancer. For over three decades, Smit dedicated his life to rescuing vervet monkeys in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He wore an eye patch after a 2015 accident left him with a badly injured right eye. Smit's involvement with animals began while he was in government service, where he founded FALCON, South Africa's first animal-rights organization, in 1985. The organization later became Justice for Animals. Smit campaigned against various forms of animal exploitation, often putting him at odds with conservationists. His work spanned multiple decades, earning him a reputation as a dedicated animal advocate.