Increase in Vervet monkey shootings says animal rescue organization
Steve Smit, chairperson of Monkey Helpline, said the organisation has rescued a number of primates in the last two months that had been targeted by airguns.
DURBAN-based animal rescue organisation, Monkey Helpline, said it has noticed a spike in the number of monkeys being shot by airgun pellets since the start of the nationwide lockdown in March.
Steve Smit, chairperson of Monkey Helpline, said the organisation has rescued a number of primates in the last two months that had been targeted by airguns.
Smit said the response of some residents, fueled by lockdown frustrations and boredom, was to shoot at the monkeys with their airguns.
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“We rescue in excess of 1 000 Vervet monkeys every year and close to 100 per month with injuries ranging from broken bones, head trauma, massive tissue damage, blindness, life threatening bite wounds, poisoning, burns and more. However of late and of serious concern to us is the increase of monkeys being rescued that have either wounded or killed by pellets,” he explained.
“Many people mistakenly think that the pellet merely stings and bounces off an animal’s skin or fur but the reality is very different, it can often maim or fatally wound a member of the troop.”
Smit appeals to the public to be vigilant and to report any use of airguns in built up areas or public places because it is a criminal offence to do so.
Contact Monkey Helpline on 082 659 4711 or 082 411 5444.
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