Letter: Co-exist with monkeys

Steve Smit, co-founder of Monkey Helpline, writes:

“Like any other vermin, (rats, cockroaches) they infest human habitation.” That’s the opinion of Tom Clarkson (Monkey article biased, Letters November 15). He continues criticising a monkey education article in the Courier about a recent informative educational talk done by Monkey Helpline in the Ballito area.

He claims it was a “one-sided article” with “no opposing argument!” His opinion is based on absolutely no factual evidence or understanding of Vervet monkeys or their lives and territories.

He says, “Before Ballito, there were cane fields!”… Lol, what a statement…! So, Mr Clarkson, please explain. Before the cane fields there was what?

He believes there were no monkeys, you do not see monkeys in the cane. Wow Tom, where were you when the farmers were complaining about the monkeys they displaced to plant the cane, foraging amongst the planted cane and ending up getting shot at by the farmers?

Tom goes on to say, “Like any other vermin (rats, cockroaches…) they infest human habitation. Rats and so on are controllable and not so cute.”

Monkeys are not and never have been classified vermin! The rats classified as vermin are foreign animals, having arrived from abroad on ships. Monkeys are indigenous animals.

There is absolutely no factual data to show that monkeys are reducing bird populations, but all you have to do is Google and you will see the facts regarding the impact humans, urbanisation and development is having on the bird populations.

Shame man, fear mongering should be a crime. It takes very little effort to educate a child not to provoke an animal, it should take even less to teach an adult. Leave the monkeys alone, allow them to pass through. It takes very little effort and small changes and one will find that living with monkeys is a real treat and privilege.

We are still fortunate in KZN to have wildlife on our doorstep.

Letter shortened – Editor.

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