The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is investigating after Kommetjie residents allegedly attacked a baboon troop on Sunday.
It condemned what it described as an “aggressive and unlawful act”.
Residents had wielded sticks and used pepper spray against the baboons as the primates had neared the town to roost, said Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham.
The baboons had suffered significant distress and harm, and one male baboon had suffered visual impairment after being pepper sprayed, and, in a disoriented state, had been further injured by electrocution on an electric fence as it had tried to escape, she said.
SPCA inspectors had transported the injured baboon to its wildlife department for urgent care, she said.
“Despite our best efforts, the animal’s prognosis remains uncertain.”
Ms Abraham said the SPCA was collecting evidence to proceed with a criminal case of animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act, and it had approached CapeNature to explore further charges under the Nature Conservation Ordinance.
In a video that was sent to the Echo anonymously, a man can be heard saying: “Someone sprayed him with something; he can’t see.”
A group of people, carrying sticks and shouting “go home, go home”, can be seen on one side of the road while another group, on the other, is frantically trying to get help for the baboon.
An unknown woman approached the group on the opposite side of the road while a man shouted: “He should not be in the village. He should be up on the mountain,” and while pointing at the woman, shouted: “You single-handedly brought them here.”
According to Ms Abraham, the situation escalated when animal activists, attempting to protect the baboons, clashed with the residents.
Lynda Silk, chairperson of Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation (CPCC), a non-profit organisiation said they were “deeply saddened” by the acts of cruelty towards the baboons.
People’s frustrations were partly due to ignorance and a feeling of helplessness, she said.
“This is increasingly exacerbated by the knowledge that the funded baboon ranger programme ends at the end of this year, with no workable and budgeted plan in place for ongoing baboon management,” she said, adding that baboon management needed the full, active and well-informed participation of the communities.
“Notwithstanding the frustrations felt, displayed, and acted out towards the Slangkop baboon troop by those few residents of Kommetjie who misdirected their anger and lack of understanding towards the baboons, we at CPCC appeal for calm, compassion and understanding to prevail.”
Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said: “We urge the public to respect the law and the rights of animals. Taking matters into your own hands and inflicting harm on wildlife is not only illegal but also morally reprehensible. Be assured, we will pursue justice aggressively for these acts of cruelty. No one is above the law.”
Ms Abraham said the SPCA appealed to anyone with information about the incident to call 021 700 4158/9 or email inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za. Reports can be made anonymously.
