A female vervet monkey has died after being shot seven times in a shocking act of cruelty that has outraged South Coast residents and sparked an urgent hunt for the person responsible.

After everything she had endured, the exhausted animal succumbed to her injuries on July 7. Despite the unimaginable pain she suffered, she died peacefully, surrounded by warmth, love and gentle hands.

The adult monkey was found on July 4 after Umtentweni resident Andrew de Bruin heard a commotion outside his home and saw her fall from a tree.

Realising she had been shot, he immediately sought help.

Sam Marynowska and Corné van Zyl of Monkey Guardians Rescue Group responded swiftly, rushing the injured vervet to a local veterinarian. What rescuers initially believed were one or two pellet wounds turned out to be far worse.

X-rays revealed seven pellet gun projectiles lodged throughout her body and head, with one pellet fracturing her skull.

“Seeing those X-rays was absolutely heartbreaking,” said Sam.

“No animal should ever have to endure this kind of suffering. Despite everything she had been through, she kept fighting, and that gave us hope.”

The monkey remained in intensive care until she lost her fight.

The rescue group said she fought with everything she had. She rested, drank small amounts of water and nibbled at tiny pieces of food. Every small improvement gave her carers hope that she would recover enough to return to the only place she truly belonged – with her troop. Sadly, it was not to be.

Although the group’s hearts are broken, they say there is comfort in knowing her final days were filled with kindness instead of fear.

“She knew warmth instead of suffering, gentle voices instead of violence, and loving hands instead of the person who caused her so much pain,” said Sam.

The rescue group believes the shooting was deliberate and has appealed to the public for information.

Corné, a senior investigative journalist, who is assisting with the investigation, said she has already received credible information from members of the public.

“This wasn’t an accident. Someone is deliberately shooting vervet monkeys in our community,” she said.

“Anyone capable of inflicting this level of cruelty on a defenceless animal poses a danger to our community.”

So far, some R3 000 has been raised towards a reward through a BackaBuddy campaign for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person responsible.

The injured monkey was found on Delamere Street in Umtentweni.

Residents are urged to report suspicious activity or check CCTV and dashcam footage from the Tweni and Sea Park areas.

Anyone with information can contact Corné on 082-406-5039. All information will be treated confidentially.

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