SPCA Inspector taking the heat for the death of a baboon in Secunda last week

SECUNDA – The Highveld Ridge SPCA came under fire with its local senior inspector, Ms Jenneth Geel, taking the brunt of most of the criticism after a wild baboon was shot dead on 5 April.

A storm has been brewing among residents for Ms Geel’s head to roll and a petition calling for her removal from her post is circulating.

This public outcry was sparked by claims that Insp Geel ordered that the baboon is shot though she was allegedly fully aware of a rescue plan formed by several people and organisations.

The baboon was sighted near Ext 22 on the previous day and then again at around 8.30am on Thursday.

Also read: Loose baboon spotted in Secunda

Govan Mbeki Municipality’s fire chief, Mr Douw Botha, and two rescue workers were joined by Mr Shayne van der Heever of Langamed Services South, workers from SSS and a community volunteer to search the area around Tugela and Oranjerivier streets where the baboon was spotted by contract workers.

The search was eventually called off and everyone returned to their respective duties when a call came in on Zello about the baboon being spotted in a tree in Tugela Street.

At this stage members from StratconRisk and sector policing arrived on the scene, followed by Mr Botha and his crew.

The baboon was on the move again and was making his way over rooftops and through trees. Tracking the animal became difficult as it became agitated because of the many onlookers and barking dogs.

Minutes before the animal was killed, Mr Van der Heever said on Zello that a rescue plan was conveyed to Insp Geel which she had dismissed. According to the recording they were told not to interfere.

A decision between the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the fire chief and Insp Geel was then made to rather shoot the animal.

Insp Geel denied having knowledge of a possible rescue plan. A source close to the fire brigade said the possibility of having a trapper cage arriving the following day was mentioned to the fire chief.

Mr Van der Heever said on Monday that he was not on the scene when the baboon was shot and did not personally convey the information to either Insp Geel or Mr Botha.

Mr Roeloff Gouws from Secunda 911 who was also named as being involved in the rescue mission, also said on Monday that he did not personally convey any information to those in charge of the scene as he was not there.

Also read: Shot baboon turns out to be a rogue male

Mr Vince Taylor who was willing to pay for the mission to dart the animal and remove it, said he only mentioned this on a Whatsapp group and not to anyone on the scene that day. He stated that he was aware of the petition doing the rounds, but refused to sign it. “I think it should be left in the past.”

Mr Louis Kempen from Little Paws Big Hearts said he was not involved in the arrangements for a rescue team, though he knew Saving the Survivors was contacted.

He did however declare that his pro life organisation was helping to distribute the petition against Insp Geel.

Ms Cora Bailey from Claws, an animal welfare organisation from Gauteng, confirmed that Saving the Survivors contacted her during the course of the morning. Claws has done numerous relocations of baboons and other wildlife.

The baboon had already been shot by the time she interacted with National SPCA.

Ms Bailey said it was tragic that an innocent animal was killed.

“I do not think it represented any danger to humans. From the information that I gathered, I think the scene should have been better controlled. I believe there are always alternative solutions to shooting an animal that ventured into urban areas.”

She said a baboon will never take up residence in a town. “I think this incident should have been a chance to optimally use the media in educating the community. ”

She said, however, that bashing the SPCA, an organisation that does a lot of good, serves no purpose.

Ms Kolofelo Nkambule, spokesman for the MTPA, said in a short statement that due to non-availability of their team to go to Secunda at that particular time, the SPCA was requested to attend to the matter.

“Our officials gave the SPCA permission to eliminate the baboon if it posed any risk to the community at that particular moment. According to our team, the SPCA inspectors went to the scene and assessed the situation and made a call on a way forward.”

The Highveld Ridge SPCA’s committee said in an official statement on Monday that while the municipality’s Fire Department was searching for the animal, Senior Inspector Geel contacted the MTPA, because the MTPA is the responsible authority for wild animals.

“The situation was discussed, and Senior Inspector Geel was given permission to use a qualified marksman, with consent from a law enforcement officer, to shoot the animal. The National Council of SPCA was also contacted for advice on how to handle the situation. They advised to have the MTPA take charge, who had passed the responsibility on to Senior Inspector Geel.

“Senior Inspector Geel then also contacted the Standerton Veterinary Hospital, because the local doctor is known to own a dart gun, the only known dart gun owner in the area. She was told that the doctor was on leave and would only be back the following week. Darting the animal was therefore not a possibility.

“Another alternative considered was to chase the baboon from the residential area to the neighbouring agricultural farm areas. As there are no baboon troupes in the vicinity of Secunda, this option was considered not feasible. The town would provide the only source of food and the animal would simply return.

A statement was then released on social media to warn the public that the animal could be dangerous and should not be cornered.”

In the statement, it is mentioned that after the report was released, the Highveld Ridge SPCA received a call from a member of the public, informing Insp Geel that he might be familiar with the baboon.

Also read: Woman mistakes serval for leopard between Trichardt and Kinross

The person was aware of a tame pet baboon that escaped at the end of 2017 and said he could assist with capturing the animal.

Insp Geel agreed to meet this person in Tugela Street, where the fire crew found the animal and was monitoring its movements.

“While Insp Geel was interacting with the public, the person approached the baboon with an emergency officer. They reported that the baboon had snarled and bared its teeth when they approached. It was therefore not a tame animal.”

According to the statement, the conclusion was that the baboon was not tame and it had to be regarded as a dangerous and unpredictable animal.

“Following the earlier agreements with MTPA, Insp Geel discussed the situation with the fire department. It was agreed that the best alternative would be to appoint a marksman. A skilled marksman was called to the scene and interviewed by Senior Insp Geel to confirm his ability as a marksman. A GMM official ensured a safe area for the marksman to take a clear shot.”

The baboon was shot and was taken to a local veterinarian for a post mortem.

“It was confirmed that the baboon was indeed an adult rogue male.

“The Highveld Ridge SPCA’s management committee believes that Snr Insp Geel followed due process and selected the correct course of action to resolve this problem, ensuring the safety of the community.”

Mr Bheki Kubheka, spokesman for the municipality, said they could not comment as it was a matter for the SPCA.