More than 220 people donned orange clothing and ran through Ballito to raise awareness for Opal, a 45-year-old Borneo orangutan who has spent her life in captivity at the Natal Zoological Gardens near Pietermaritzburg.

The event on Sunday morning marked the official launch of the Get Vocal for Opal campaign, led by animal rights organisation Ban Animal Trading (BAT). The campaign calls for an independent veterinary assessment to determine whether Opal can be relocated to a sanctuary. Activists say she is suffering in confinement.

“Today was about bringing the community together to rally for Opal, and they have been very supportive,” said Prathna Singh, BAT’s director.

“We have been told in the past that the zoo is open to an independent vet, but every time we have asked, we have been ignored. We have fought for Opal’s release for more than a decade.”

BAT’s advocacy began in 2015, with protests supported by Kloof SPCA, which backed Opal’s relocation to Monkey World in the UK. In later years, BAT partnered with Monkey Helpline and organised several nationwide protests.

Since 2021, online petitions have gained more than 460 000 signatures.

However, a spokesperson for the Natal Zoological Gardens denied BAT’s claims, saying the group had never formally requested a veterinary assessment.

“We would welcome an independent vet check,” said the spokesperson.

“How can people who spend no time with her decide that darting, crating and sending her overseas is best for her wellbeing?

“Opal has access to both her indoor night enclosure and a large outdoor area with grass, shade and a jungle gym.”

The Get Vocal for Opal campaign will continue to lobby for an independent evaluation of her health and living conditions.

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