Vervet monkeys in the Potchefstroom area and on the North-West University campus have been a discussion point for many years.

There have been various reports of these monkeys’ harassing students, stealing food, climbing into open windows and so forth.

Urbanisation has led to the destruction of the monkeys’ natural habitat and this has caused a larger presence around the NWU and other areas in Potch, like Witrand, Potchefstroom Gimnasium and areas with natural resources (trees and plants).

The university has consulted with various internal and external stakeholders on the vervet monkeys, and catching and relocating them is not a feasible solution. Firstly, it would be impossible to catch all the monkeys and the approach could possibly cause distress and an increase in mating. Secondly, finding a suitable relocation area is difficult.

During their visit to the NWU, Community Led Animal Welfare said that all monkey sanctuaries in South Africa were full. Shooting these monkeys with paint balls, pellets and other firearms is insensitive, cruel and prohibited at the NWU.

Shooting monkeys only causes distress and injuries, and could lead to possible prosecution per the Animal Protection Act and Firearms Control Act. In the interim, the NWU, with the guidance of internal and external experts, has tabled short- and long-term measures to manage the monkeys’ activities.