THE SPCA and Mtunzini police are investigating the case of a Mtunzini resident shooting monkeys with a pellet gun.
Empangeni SPCA Senior Inspector, Roland Fivaz confirmed the incident had been reported to him and they would be investigating, while a case was also opened at the Mtunzini police station by a neighbour who witnessed the shooting.
‘There is definitely an increase in the number of animals that are been shot at with pellet guns, paintball guns and even sling-shots. This despite the fact that the Firearms Act makes it a criminal offence to discharge an air gun in a built-up area or public place,’ said Fivaz.
In terms of the Animal Protection Act and the Provincial Conservation Ordinance, it is an offence to shoot monkeys or any other animal, and anybody seen doing so must be reported to the police and SPCAimmediately.
According to Animal Rights Africa Project’s Monkey Hotlines’ Steve Smit, ‘Monkeys are having a very hard time of it. It is bad enough from their perspective that humans have moved into their areas, but as we introduce more security measures and are increasingly intolerant of the presence of troops, they suffer increasing cruel human-related injuries and deaths.’
Monkeys can linger in agony for two weeks before they die after been shot with pellets. Over 80% of monkeys rescued by Monkey Helpline, for whatever reason, are found to have pellets lodged in their bodies.
