The City of Cape Town is looking for a suspected baboon killer after a juvenile male baboon was shot and killed with a pellet gun.
According to TimesLive, the baboon was found dead with a pellet gun bullet lodged in its chest on Thursday last week in Simon’s Town. An autopsy was conducted by a veterinarian who confirmed that the cause of death was due to a pellet wound to the chest.
The animal’s death comes after the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) withdrew its support for the use of paintball guns as a means to deter baboons from entering urban areas. However, a statement released by The City of Cape Town maintains that baboons are at greater risk of being killed and injured if rangers are unable to utilize paintball markers as a means to deter them from entering residential areas.
“The City asserts that baboons must remain in their natural habitat as far as possible. Seeing that the NSPCA does not recommend alternative aversion tools that are proven to be effective, it is unclear how baboons can be encouraged not to enter urban areas in future,” the statement read.
It is illegal to hunt baboons without a permit, and the shooter now faces jail time if caught. Unfortunately, to prosecute, a witness statement and/or evidence of the event needs to be brought forward.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt, indicated that they were “concerned and appalled” by the incident.
“I encourage eyewitnesses or anyone with knowledge about this incident to please contact CapeNature’s Conservation Services on 082 773 4278,” said Alderman Nieuwoudt.
Picture: Cape Town ETC Gallery
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