An alpha male is the latest victim in what appears to be the third reported shooting of a vervet monkey in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, over the last two weeks.

According to Zululand Observer, the most recent incident occurred in Lantern Reef, Meerensee, late last week.

Wildlife warrior Miriam Otto was called by Richards Bay SPCA to assist with a dead monkey on a property on Saturday (June 6).

“The moment we saw him, we did not have to wonder what had happened. He had been shot. Four times,” said an irate Otto.

“An alpha male is the protector of his troop. He keeps order, defends against predators and rival troops, and protects the vulnerable.

“Removing him creates chaos. Subordinate males begin fighting for dominance, severe injuries occur and, in many cases, infants become victims during hostile takeovers. The entire troop is left traumatised and exposed.

“What kind of person watches an innocent animal suffer for days and feels nothing? What kind of person takes pleasure in causing such pain?” she asked.

This incident follows the shooting of a vervet monkey in Pompano Place, also in Meerensee, last week – reportedly the third shooting in this area.

“Does nobody hear anything? Next time it is the eye of a child! There is no place for shooters among our community and unless people come forward, this pathetic, sick trend will carry on,” she said.

Last week’s Pompano Place incident follows the May 28 fatal shooting of a vervet monkey in Arboretum.

In that incident, a woman had been alerted by a noise on the roof of her house, which, upon investigation, was a paralysed monkey dragging itself to safety.

It had been shot in the windpipe and legs, rendering it unable to flee.

“The bullet perforated his windpipe, causing air to fill his chest cavity until his lung collapsed,” said Otto, adding that this monkey would have died a slow, agonising death.

Prosecution

Witnesses to monkey shooting incidents are urged to register cases at the SAPS, as prosecution can be carried out under both the Firearms Act and the Animals Protection Act.

According to the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, it is an offence to discharge a firearm in a built-up area or any public place, without a valid, justifiable reason.

A R10k reward has been offered for information regarding the identification of the Arboretum shooter.