WATCH: Outcry after vervet monkey shot in head with pellet gun

A shocking case of animal cruelty in Richards Bay has left a baby vervet monkey with a severe head wound.

Teachers at Arboretum Pre-primary School found the wounded monkey at 6.30am on Wednesday. He was spinning on the ground, unable to stand.

ALSO READ: Monkey shot and killed in Richards Bay

Dr Jurgen Otto, who treats monkeys at his own cost, rushed to help. X-rays showed the young monkey had been shot in the head with a pellet gun.

Dr Otto’s wife Miriam Otto was caring for the creature, before it sadly died on Friday. The incident sparked outrage online, with many condemning the cruelty on the Arboretum Veterinary Clinic’s Facebook page.

This incident highlights the need for the community to learn to coexist with monkeys. A talk on living peacefully with vervets will be held from 6pm on 28 May at 44B Pelserplaat, Meerensee.

Read the full story in the ZO on Monday.

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