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.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2020/06/22shmonkey3.jpg)
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.
Read also: Increase in cats dumped during lockdown says uMhlanga animal rescuer
“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.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.