LettersOpinion

OPINION: ‘Lone monkeys are not always ‘rogues’

Once a male monkey grows to adulthood he is kicked out of the troop to ensure he does not breed with family members.

DEAR Editor,-

With reference to Butthead’s Beat – ‘Yellow Fang’ pops in for New Year’s breakfast’ (SCH January 11).

It’s a pity that the word ‘rogue’ is used for any animal found wandering too close to human habitats, and in most cases these animal are shot for this reason – as happens in Cape Town with baboons.

ALSO READ : Butthead’s Beat: ‘Yellow Fang’ pops in for New Year breakfast

In normal circumstances, once a male monkey grows to adulthood he is kicked out of the troop to ensure he does not breed with family members, so he looks to join up with another troop.

Without the protection of a troop he is vulnerable and therefore an easy target.

So, by shooting this ‘rogue’ male, the gene pool becomes smaller.

The De Villiers clan mentioned in the article had the presence of mind to sit still and not make any sudden movements or scream.

Some might say they were lucky and others say the baboon got what it deserved – and paid for it with his life.

If we are going to live with nature shouldn’t we learn how to cohabit with them – so that its a win-win situation for everyone concerned?

S BURRELL

Uvongo

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