The chief animal welfare inspector of the South African Animal Welfare Inspectorate Association (Saawia) said Saawia and Secunda Wildlife Rescue distance themselves from the shooting of the baboon in Standerton.

Van Reeuwyk said: “After the Secunda baboon had left our town under a watchful eye on Saturday morning (March 7), a sighting of another baboon in Standerton was reported earlier that same day.

“We can confirm that it was not the same baboon.

“On Monday morning (March 10), we at Secunda Wildlife Rescue received information that the Standerton baboon had left the town, crossed the Vaal River and moved on to farms, and that he was safe.

“Later on Monday, we received information that the baboon had been shot and killed. We want to inform the communities of Secunda and Standerton that Secunda Wildlife Rescue had no hand in the killing of the baboon, nor in authorising the killing.

“Thank you to everyone who supports us.”

Van Reeuwyk also urged parents to think before buying bunnies for their children.

“A bunny might be cute for a little while, but if your children are no longer interested in them, then what? I’ve seen people let the bunnies out to roam the streets and fend for themselves.

“They are not sterilised and are becoming a major problem in our municipal area. We have received multiple complaints of these animals going onto private residential properties and causing damage to gardens and even fibre cables.

“Are we following in the footsteps of countries like Australia, where they have become a pest? We are slowly getting there, and it is irresponsible people causing this,” explained Van Reeuwyk.

“Rather teach your children the responsibility of keeping an animal and the consequences thereof, especially when bunnies that are not sterilised get into the wild.

ALSO CHECK: UPDATE: Baboon seen in Standerton, killed

“We are asking parents to help us by not supporting the private sale of bunnies or purchasing them through pet shops.”

Both Secunda Animal Rescue and Saawia are non-profit organisations and are dependent on donations to continue their work.

Should you wish to support them or make a donation towards their veterinary bills, use the following banking details:

• FNB, Account Holder – Innovavet, Account Type – Current Account, Account Number – 630 7945 1357, Branch Code – 210 835, Reference – Sec Wild Res. Send proof of payment to: tanja.ackerman.ta@gmail.com

To support Saawia, use the following bank details:

• Capitec, Account Holder – SAAWIA Secunda, Account Number – 1053 4087 73, Branch Code – 470 010.

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