The bodies of the thirteen monkeys that did not survive the poisoning. Photo: Monkey Helpline.
A dog and at least thirteen monkeys died after the troop was poisoned at Umdloti, KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, and more may be sick or dying, reports North Coast Courier.
According to the chairperson of Monkey Helpline, Steve Smit, they were able to capture only 22 monkeys, 13 of which subsequently died.
The nine survivors are being treated at a vet in Durban North.
ALSO READ: NSPCA, police to investigate Harties farm owner that kills monkeys
He said at least six other monkeys that may have been poisoned were still at large.
“The person who did this is a very cruel person, and just because he or she does not like monkeys, he or she did not only kill them, but have left six monkey babies orphaned and killed a dog that had eaten a poisoned monkey’s vomit,” said Smit.
It is suspected the monkeys were killed with a poison known as ‘Two Step’ that is highly toxic, even to humans.
Dr Kerry Easson from the Riverside Veterinary Clinic said ‘Two Step’ was commonly used to poison animals.
“The monkeys suffered from diarrhoea, vomiting and muscles tremors.
“It was was a horrible way to die,” said Easson.
Residents of Umdloti have rallied together and raised a R10 000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the prosecution of the person behind the poisoning.
WATCH: Monkey Helpline’s Steve Smit and Carol Booth talk about the horrific poisoning of this monkey troop.
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
