5-month-old monkey euthanised after being shot

Chairperson of the organisation, Steve Smit said the monkey had to be euthanised after it was shot with a pellet gun in Glenwood. The pellet pierced her back snapping her spinal cord between her shoulder blades.

“It’s another sad day for monkeys,” he said. Smit said the organisation had responded to three incidents this week of monkeys being shot with pellet guns.

“The one died shortly after we rescued her, the other two were both paralysed from damage to their spines and were gently euthanised at the vet,” said Smit.

Commenting on monkey shootings in other parts of the city, Smit said an eight-month old monkey was also shot into her abdomen, in Ardresson Road, Redhill. What’s more the female monkey was mauled by dogs, dying shortly after the rescue. In the same week a four-year-old young adult male was rescued in Hooper Drive Crestholme.

This time the monkey was shot into his spine leaving him paralysed. Smit said the monkey was left having to drag his lower body. He was euthanised after x-rays confirmed his injury.

Monkey Rescue is appealing for anyone with information to come forward. Last month, resident Greg Albert raised a R6 000 reward for information after he found a monkey in Morningside that had been shot twice. The monkey died shortly after being rescued. Smit said no arrests have been made.

The killing and torture of animals is a criminal offence under the Animal Protection Act and can carry a prison sentence of two years.

“If we can be more tolerant, more willing to try out humane, non-lethal ways of overcoming the problems associated with the presence of vervets around our homes, gardens or croplands, then we can progress towards a more compassionate world,” said Smit.