CROW continues to respond to alarming reports of monkey incidents

THE Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow) has received an alarmingly concerning reports of vervet monkey shootings and injurious incidents in past few weeks.

In the short period from March 4 April, the centre has received an alarming amount of monkey admissions, the highest in the organisation’s 40 year history. The latest incident was of a monkey repeat shooter on Watsonia Road, Bluff.

“We have received very concerning threats from a resident in the Bluff area near Lancelot Road, just off Marine Drive who is set on shooting or poisoning the monkey troops that live in the area. The community is apparently very disgruntled with the mere presence of the monkeys, even though the area around there is exceptionally lush and a natural habitat of the monkeys. This is their home too. Vervet monkeys who live in urban areas of Durban is just a fact of life. They were here long before us and we should all coexist with them peacefully,” said Crow communications officer, Alex Kogl.

The rehabilitation centre reminds the public that discharging a pellet gun, which is classified as an air rifle, is illegal in terms of the Firearms Control Act. Discharging a weapon at an animal is against the Animals Protection act 71 of 1962. The team is currently compiling a database of shooters in each area. Each incident will be reported to the nearest SAPS, Metro police as well as the SPCA.

Crow also thanks the Yellowwood Park community who kept an eye out and helped reach a poor, sub-adult monkey who had been electrocuted on the transmitter box on Coedmore Avenue  over the weekend. “After days of searching, phone calls, scaling walls and driving out hourly, we finally caught the poor monkey on Tuesday, 19 May in a humane trap. Unfortunately he did not make it. On admission we were hopeful that the infection could be treated and that the wounds would hopefully not be too severe. We realised soon that he was in terrible pain and his suffering could not continue. The bones and tendons in his hands and feet were exposed as the flesh had started falling from the bone as the infection had set in.

“It’s never an easy decision to have to humanely euthanise an animal, however in situations like this, where suffering is clear as day, we realise that an animal has the right to a kind, painless goodbye. He had already spent too much time in agony, running and climbing with his raw, bleeding hands,” said Alex.

She said that they believe the overly curious monkey might have been attracted to the sound of the transmitter box, whose door had been left open after maintenance the week before.

“We would like to thank our Yellowwood Park community for all of your assistance, trying to help catch him, allowing us onto your properties and calling us when you spotted him. We rely solely on members of public to phone us when they spot an animal in distress – you stepped up helped the most vulnerable and for that we are always grateful.

Crow is the only accredited and registered primate rehabilitation centre in KwaZulu-Natal. If you ever spot a monkey that is injured, abused or distressed phone us immediately on (031) 462-1127. If you witness anyone shooting or discharging a weapon at any wild animal please report it ASAP. If you are able to get video or photographic evidence please send it through to primates@crowkzn.co.za.

https://www.facebook.com/crow.kzn/posts/3071411882879140:0

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