A full-scale investigation has launched in South Africa following the poisoning of an entire family of monkeys.
Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an official organisation tackling animal issues, was first altered on Tuesday morning. A local Zululand Yacht Club noticed several monkey corpses.
After a recovery, six monkeys were found dead and one was placed under critical veterinary care. “So far, six monkeys have been affected; four on Tuesday and two on Wednesday,” said Richards Bay, an SPCA inspector.
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The organisation, who usually closes, opened their services yesterday due to the issue. They shared a photo on social media announcing the issue.
(Image: Arboretum Veterinary Clinic)
A red background with white text detailed: “We are open today due to crises with monkey poisoning.” Followers flooded the comments with concern and called for legal action against the perpetrators.
“Shocking, I hope someone is caught and prosecuted!” wrote on Facebook user. “How on earth can you poison monkeys. I have watched them when they forage. They smell everything before they eat it,” added another.
A third concerned social media user noted: “That is very sad, I hope there are not more that have been poisoned. Please if anyone knows anything, come forward, even if it means just a tip to the right people so that the people responsible can be brought to justice.”
Another person said this is not a new problem in the area. “Been happening years, with Two-Step mostly. I found 5 years ago in Birdswood.”
(Image: Arboretum Veterinary Clinic)
Back in 2019, 22 monkeys were found dead via poisoning. Activist Steve Smit said the discovery was like a murder scene. The monkeys were found, “lying all over the floor, foaming at the mouth, with some hanging off a tree convulsing”. Smit said it was a “malicious and deliberate” act.
At the time a £2,100 rewards put up for anyone with information to come forward. Since then, animal killings seem to have risen.
Monkeys are intelligent and, when living in human-inhabited areas, often enter homes and steal food. Residents are meant to purchase door and window screens to keep them at bay.
The motive behind the poisonings is not yet known. Investigations will look into how humans might be involved.
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