EDITOR – I live in central Hillcrest on a large residential estate which includes a conservancy that is home to a big troop of monkeys. We most unfortunately have several intolerant neighbours who cruelly and cowardly shoot at the monkeys if they go onto their properties.
These people are obviously unaware that discharging an airgun in a built up area where there is a risk of injury or damage to another person or property, are committing an offence and can be prosecuted in terms of the Firearms Control Act and in many cases also the Animal Protection Act. There is a badly injured female Vervet in this troop and it is heartbreaking to see her dragging herself around, obviously in great pain.
Information about monkeys from Steve Smit, who runs ‘Monkey Helpline’: A troop of monkeys is bonded to its territory through a matrilineal line spanning many generation. Female Vervets never leave the territory of their birth which means that, with the exception of most of the mature adult males, the monkeys you see in the troop where you live, descend from female monkeys who lived right there hundreds of years ago. Even though we have encroached into and destroyed their habitat and their homes, they cannot leave. They have had to adapt and learn to survive in a very ‘monkey unfriendly world’, and because they have done this with success, they are demonised, harassed, persecuted and killed. In order to survive they need to find food, shelter and security and therefore desperately need our understanding and tolerance.
When the monkeys come visiting, close the windows to your home, ignore them and they will soon move on. Please report anyone seen shooting at monkeys or any other animals for that matter.
Jacqui Hicks
Hillcrest
