SPCA Bravely Rescue Monkey from Tower as Residents Throw Rocks in Bloemfontein
Never a dull moment during lockdown, says the Bloemfontein SPCA, who bravely rescued a monkey during dangerous windy conditions from the top of a 50-metre high tower in an informal settlement where the wind was blowing, and the angry crowd was throwing rocks at the animal… and later at the SPCA rescuers. When the SPCA […]
Never a dull moment during lockdown, says the Bloemfontein SPCA, who bravely rescued a monkey during dangerous windy conditions from the top of a 50-metre high tower in an informal settlement where the wind was blowing, and the angry crowd was throwing rocks at the animal… and later at the SPCA rescuers.
When the SPCA were notified about the monkey emergency, they responded immediately. On arriving at the scene, they found the monkey about 50m up in a high tower.
“We knew that it would be a difficult task to save the monkey as about 300 residents were surrounding the tower. We told the residents that they had to be inside their houses due to the lockdown, but they ignored us.
“Luckily, we were able to get access to a schoolyard to be a safe distance from everyone and closer to the monkey.”
The Bloemfontein SPCA did contact authorities to assist, but unfortunately nobody arrived.
“We couldn’t leave the poor monkey in that state and had to bring him down safely. Three of our brave staff members started to climb the 50m tower with only a net. It is not easy to do when it is windy, because the tower swings from left to right.”
On top of that, the monkey was fast and smart, and jumped around the tower while his human rescuers tried to catch him.
“The monkey was too scared to climb down as there were too many people on the ground, screaming and throwing rocks at him.
“It was a dangerous task to try and catch the monkey as the smallest mistake could have caused either the monkey or our staff to lose their lives.”
After a gruelling two hours, the monkey was finally caught and safely brought down to the ground. But it wasn’t over for the SPCA.
“Our next difficult task was to exit the school grounds as there were too many people who wanted the monkey dead. They also started throwing rocks at us.
“We were happy to see three SAPS vehicles arrive at the scene. They escorted us safely out of the area,” said the SPCA.
Fortunately the monkey has no injuries.
Unfortunately it was not a great experience for the SPCA.
“We were shocked to see how the people first wanted to injure the monkey, and then us,” they said in a press release. “Our country is currently in lockdown for everyone’s safety. People died as a result of the coronavirus. People should start taking this seriously. We ask the public to listen to our President and stay at home, as it puts us in danger when we have to go out to emergencies in and around Bloemfontein during this time!”
The monkey is currently safe in the care of the SPCA, and will be transported to a sanctuary as soon as possible.
The SPCA thanked “true heroes” Cobus Herbst, Joseph Tsipane and Tebogo Maswanganye for their dedication.
They also call on members of the public – actually they are “pleading” please – for assistance with donations for fuel to transport the monkey and to buy him some food. See details below.
Bank: ABSA
Account name: BFN Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Account number: 927 910 2644
Branch code: 632 005
Savings account
Reference: Monkey
Or
You can send a SMS to 42646 with the word Bloemspca. (SMS cost R30)
Or
Visit www.bloemfonteinspca.co.za and click on the donate button to donate.