We had a family of bushbabies living in our farmhouse roof. Every morning, we would sit and enjoy a cup of coffee while they stare down at us with both intrigue and confusion. 

The family has probably been there for generations, so although they won’t come down to say hi, they were not threatened or scared by our presence. We used to even put out some bread with jam at night for them to enjoy. 

One morning, our Rhodesian Ridgeback pup came running into the house with a baby bushbaby in his mouth. Unharmed, we towel-dried it off and left it on the table outside for its family to come and pick up, but no one did. I think the dog slobber might have made them hesitant. 

After hours of waiting, we took it in and started raising it ourselves. We learned it was a little male, and named him Mpho. ‘Mpho’ means gift, and having the opportunity to work with something this soft and adorable was truly a gift.

We kept Mpho outside, in his cage, to see if his family would start visiting and they did. When he was old enough to bounce with confidence, we opened the gate and he followed them up the post to their den. For years after this, he would still look down at us through the den hole and occasionally come steal a piece of bread with jam. 

Bushbabies are beautiful and gentle creatures. Truly as innocent as their appearance would make you think. I wanted to add a bushbaby to my collection.