A group of residents in Sunnyside, Grahamstown, is outraged following the removal of an alpha male and female from a troop of vervet monkeys in the area.
A group of residents in Sunnyside, Grahamstown, is outraged following the removal of an alpha male and female from a troop of vervet monkeys in the area.
After a number of fires in the veld surrounding Grahamstown last year, the small troop of vervet monkeys was displaced and settled in the south Grahamstown suburb.
Following complaints from some Sunnyside residents, the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA) was contacted and the alpha male and female were captured and removed from the city.
The recent removal of an alpha male and female from the 20-strong troop – has led to disagreements between residents and Environment officials.
While some residents felt that as wildlife they were an asset to the area, others claimed the monkeys were disruptive and feared they were a danger to small children and pets.
The vervet monkey, or Chlorocebus pygerythrus, is a very common monkey species in Africa.
They are characterised by dark faces and hands, green/grey bodies and a white band of hair across their foreheads.
They are often found in urban areas due to dislocation, the attraction of rubbish bins, feeding by locals or avoidance of agricultural areas, where they are susceptible to injury or death.
Other residents expressed concern that their removal put the rest of the troop in danger and resulted in vulnerable baby monkeys being orphaned.
Environmental Management co-ordinator in Eden District Municipality, Vernon Gibbs-Halls, stated in response to questions from Grocott's Mail, “The removal of an alpha male is extremely stressful for an entire troop and may lead to the dispersal and fragmentation of a troop.”
In correspondence between a representative of the DEDEA and a concerned citizen, the former stated, “Once trapped, the department moves the monkeys within one hour of being notified to an area outside of town.
"Ideally it we would like to move 3-5 animals at a time but can't because of the size of our cage.
However, these monkeys are released in the same area.”
An information sheet distributed by a concerned resident offers assurance that vervet monkeys will not pursue a child or small animal unless provoked.
"They are easily unnerved and often run when confronted. Through minimal alterations such as securing dustbin lids or simply keeping doors closed in unobserved rooms, a home or garden can be ‘monkey-proofed’ and invasive techniques can be eradicated," the leaflet advises.
