AN INFANT vervet monkey died after it was shot in the chest on Thursday. The monkey was rushed to a Durban North vet after a Glenashley resident found the badly injured monkey in their yard.
In another incident on the same day, a monkey was shot on Lothian Road.
Cindy Coetzer, who lives on Newport Avenue in Glenashley, said she discovered a monkey in her yard when she saw her dogs barking at the fence.
“It was 7am on Thursday and I heard the screeching sounds of the monkeys. Then I heard the bang of the shot. I shouted out asking who was shooting at the monkeys. After that I heard the shrill screech of the monkey, being shot. My dogs were trying to scratch at the corner of the fence. I pushed the dogs away and that’s when I saw the little monkey’s face that was covered in blood. It’s confirmed that it’s a nine-month-old baby,” said Coetzer.
Also read: Monkey shootings continue in uMhlanga
North vet.
Steve Smit of Monkey Helpline said a pellet from an air gun was lodged in the monkey’s chest after fatally piercing the heart and lung.
“The pellet was lodged in the monkey’s chest. The vet took x-rays and confirmed there was another pellet in the monkey’s right leg. This is a case of animal cruelty because the animal suffered. Firing an air gun is putting everyone at risk as well,” he said.
“A monkey on Lothian Road was shot in the thigh and a major blood vessels was severed. It bled profusely internally. We also attended to a monkey that was injured when its foot got caught on Harrier Crescent in uMhlanga and another monkey was electrocuted in Highdale Road on Wednesday. Monkeys are dying all over the place in high numbers,” he added.
Also read: Concern for troop of monkeys following M4 reopening
Coetzer said that she is concerned for the safety of her pets as air guns are continually being fired in her area.
“This is actually the fourth time a monkey has been shot and landed in our garden. We need to do something about this because it’s a serious issue. I am concerned about my dogs. These seem to be metal bullets. It’s dangerous for any animal as well as people. It doesn’t seem to be a warning shot,” she said.
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