Monkey found abandoned on London bus gets fresh start and new friend

A terrified marmoset discovered hidden inside a cage on a London bus is settling into a new home after being given a second chance at life.

The common marmoset, initially named Oyster and now known as Nibbles, was found on the route 302 bus between Mill Hill Broadway Station and Kensal Rise on 17 July.

A woman pushing a buggy alerted the driver to a large bag blocking her path before the frightened monkey began screeching from inside.

Nibbles had been shut in a cage concealed beneath a plastic laundry bag and abandoned on the vehicle.

She was taken to the bus company’s depot before RSPCA officers arrived to collect her.

The little primate has now moved to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Essex, where staff are patiently helping her recover from her ordeal.

Hopefield’s general manager Lianne Angliss said: “Nibbles is very timid and quite shy so we’re working on building up her confidence and teaching her to come to us for food so we can carry out regular checks on her and make sure she’s happy and healthy.

“At the moment, when we approach, she climbs up high so she can keep her distance so we have to approach calmly, slowly and quietly.

“It’s going to take time but we’re confident that, once she’s been introduced to her new friend, she’ll become more outgoing and his energy and cheekiness will rub off on her!”

Hopefield cares for almost 700 animals, including five other marmosets.

The sanctuary houses its marmosets in bonded pairs because some of the males do not get along. One male, named Loki, has been living alone while staff searched for a suitable female companion.

Nibbles is expected to meet Loki next month once she has completed her quarantine period.

Meanwhile, the RSPCA’s investigation into her abandonment remains ongoing.

London chief inspector Clare Dew renewed an appeal for passengers who were on the bus on the morning of 17 July to come forward.

She said: “We’re still keen to hear from anyone who was on the 302 bus on the morning of 17 July and who may have seen someone board with the laundry bag.

“We’ve followed up a number of lines of enquiry but we’re still searching for Nibbles’ owner or whoever was responsible for leaving her so we can find out more about the circumstances around her abandonment.

“Nibbles has completed a temporary hold with us at the RSPCA and has now been taken on by Hopefield where she’ll get the expert care she needs, as well as the vital socialisation with other marmosets.

“We’re so pleased she’s got such a happy ending after everything she’s been through, but we fear she won’t be the last to be abandoned, handed over or left behind following the introduction of tough new conditions around keeping primates as pets.”

New regulations in England mean private primate keepers must hold a valid licence and provide conditions capable of meeting the animals’ complex welfare needs.

The RSPCA fears thousands of primates could be at risk of abandonment or could be kept secretly in illegal and unsuitable conditions by owners unable or unwilling to comply with the rules.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 1857303.

Donations can be made to the RSPCA at www.rspca.org.uk/summer-appeal or to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary at www.hopefield.org.uk/donate