Hollywood- monkeyland

PLETTENBERG BAY - It was lights, camera, action for some of Plettenberg Bay's furry creatures when a film crew visited the town to shoot an episode of a popular international reality television series last week.

While the details of the series is still under wraps, the team at Monkeyland, a primate sanctuary on the outskirts of Plett, confirmed that a film crew and a couple of reality television stars visited the sanctuary on 18 March to film an episode for the upcoming series.

"Their visit is great news for the area as everyone involved were very impressed with locals' professionalism and film-friendly approach," said Monkeyland's Vivjer Jonk.

She added that although she could not divulge much detail about the show, the day of filming was eventful in more ways than one.

"The lemurs were especially entertaining as they found the soundman's boom microphone very appealing. They milled around him and could not take their eyes off it."

'Filming came to a standstill'
She said filming came to a brief standstill when one of the cameramen decided to whip out his own cellphone to photograph two gibbons that came to take a closer look at what was going on.

"Not only was everyone impressed with how beautiful our area is and how welcoming everyone over here is, but they were also in awe over the ethical way in which we operate.

We have a hands-off approach in our operations and everyone had great respect for it."

Jonk added that the visitors could appreciate the primates in their environment without the interference of humans and that those she spoke to, including the reality stars, vowed to return to South Africa to show the country off to their friends and families.

"Seeing how Plett is becoming a popular backdrop among filmmakers, is wonderful news. It is creating jobs.

Many locals are employed to work on these productions. It also spills over into other areas including accommodation, catering and further down the line, return tourists," she said.

Monkeyland is no newcomer to the film industry. Jonk said this was the second time a similar reality series chose the sanctuary as a film location.

Monkeyland's lemurs were very curious about a boom microphone when a film crew shot an episode of a reality television series at the sanctuary on 18 March. Photo: Supplied