Animal lovers are up in arms after a baboon shot with live ammunition in the Betty’s Bay area had to be euthanised.
Overstrand Executive Mayor Dr Annelie Rabie has called on anyone who has information that can lead to the arrest of the culprit to come forward and supply authorities with the necessary information.
A small drama unfolded Saturday morning in Betty’s Bay after reports that the male baboon had been shot with live ammunition, allegedly by a local resident.
A team was established to locate the male baboon that had fled into the mountains. After the baboon was located and sedated, two veterinarians on site agreed it needed to be X-rayed to determine the extent of its injuries and the treatment needed.
Rabie announced in a Facebook post late Saturday night the veterinarians – one contracted by Overstrand Municipality and another independent veterinarian – had agreed euthanising the injured baboon would be the most humane thing to do.
She said: “This decision was consulted with Murray McGregor of Together4Change and there is general consensus from all. The injuries sustained are of such a nature that this once proud animal will not be able to survive in a troop even if by some miracle it would pull through.”
Pete Oxford of the Betty’s Bay Action Group confirmed the baboon that had to be euthanised is Brutus, one of the leaders of the Betty’s Bay troop.
He said Brutus’s death is likely to have an impact on the troop. “Brutus, Scarface and Thunder used to rotate the alpha status. Scarface was killed in October leaving Thunder and Brutus. Brutus is a better leader than Thunder who joined the troop about two years ago. We do not know how his death will affect the group but it will have a definite impact.
“In a healthy situation the ratio would be one adult male to two or three females. Now, there will be one adult male to approximately eight females.”
Rabie assured the public no stone will be left unturned to bring the perpetrators to book. “Hence, my plea is for anyone who has information about the shooting to come forward,” she said. “This is not the time to be timid and be intimidated. We need to find this heartless individual and fight for a positive prosecution to ensure that it will not happen again.”
WO Martin Mostert, spokesperson for the Kleinmond Police, confirmed no criminal charge was laid by Monday.