Rampant Animal Abuse and Neglect at MonkeyTown South Africa - ACTION!!

I was outraged to learn that Cape Nature Conservation and the SPCA authorities have done little to nothing about the documented animal abuse and neglect at Monkey Town, Somerset West.

Despite repeated television exposure on Carte Blanche and public outrage neither the Cape Nature Conservation nor the SPCA have seen fit to uphold and enforce the animal protection laws of South Africa.

Links to documented abuse and/or neglect

Carte Blanche most recent video

Carte Blanche 2nd to last video

MonkeyTown report by Trendler

Abuses and/or neglect noted at Monkey Town

%uFFFD Primates left outside at night in the bitter cold

%uFFFD Primates goaded with weed-eaters

%uFFFD Dominant primate frequently attacks inferior male%u2014no place of safety for the victim

%uFFFD Primate babies left unattended%u2014died

%uFFFD Meshing too wide%u2014mutilated primate fingers due to primates attacking %u2014 biting each other through the meshing

%uFFFD Slimy water and lack of food

%uFFFD Broken cages%u2014causing injury to animals

%uFFFD Fighting for food%u2014Weaker animals starving

%uFFFD No greens provided for the natural feed-browsing of the primates

%uFFFD Young farm animals can%u2019t get to the food easily%u2014troughs too high

%uFFFD Little to no veterinary care%u2014unless ordered by the SPCA

%uFFFD Little to no bedding for animals%u2014sleep on concrete floors

%uFFFD Two pigs donated to the farm animals section slaughtered two days later

%uFFFD Skin diseases rife

It appears that Monkey Town can't provide the basic supervision and care necessary to keep the animals it displays healthy and safe.  Furthermore Monkey Town has no business selling any animals, nor should they be allowed to run a %u2018private zoo%u2019 without the requisite veterinary care and trained keepers.

We respectfully ask you to conduct a proper investigation

We believe there is sufficient documented proof of abuse/neglect for a prima facie case.

Requesting a response from Cape Nature and the Good Hope SPCA

Please take the necessary steps to secure protection and care for all the animals at Monkey Town; preferably shutting this so-called animal sanctuary down!  The very least you can do is uphold and enforce South Africa%u2019s existing inadequate zoo%u2019s and animal protection laws, (Ref:  South African Veterinary Foundation, REVIEW OF ANIMAL CARE LEGISLATION IN SOUTH AFRICA) %u2014 and account to the taxpayers just exactly how you are spending the South African%u2019s Tax Rands and/or Donations, if not for the protection of animals like those at Monkey Town!

Points of consideration

Below a listing of the standards of the South African Johannesburg Zoo.

The size of the zoo is not the issue here:  Large or small, the same standards of care and best practises apply.

We would appreciate some feedback on these points, and proof of compliance by Monkey Town.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

%uFFFD Ensure effective animal husbandry to the highest standards

%uFFFD Develop and manage breeding and introduction programs to the manage genetic integrity of populations

%uFFFD Ensure that the collection of feeding and behavioural records is done according to national standards and assess these appropriately

%uFFFD Design new exhibits

%uFFFD Manage the implementation of preventative medicine, enrichment, conditioning and nutritional programmes.

%uFFFD Identify potential veterinary problems

%uFFFD Ensure the timeous completion of relevant forms for the animal data bank

%uFFFD Initiate, lead, plan and participate in in situ conservation and research projects and ensure that these adhere to the highest ethical standards

%uFFFD Educate learners and the public in collaboration with the Education department

%uFFFD Maintain a familiarity with professional development and direction in the field

%uFFFD Constantly strive to improve the standard and diversity of exhibits, husbandry practices, collection techniques, staff competencies and the reputation and public perception of the zoo

%uFFFD Develop and maintain professional contacts

%uFFFD Manage the work allocation and performance of conservators and animal attendants, including selection, training, and development

%uFFFD Develop and manage the budget for the section and ensure that the section as a whole follows financial procedures.

%uFFFD Compile monthly reports of the section

%uFFFD Develop and implement policies and procedures

%uFFFD Perform administrative functions pertaining to conservation

    Liaise with key stakeholders at all times e.g. Dept of Nature Conservation, WAZA, (the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums )  PAAZAB (,The World Association of Zoos and Aquarium) universities, and any relevant others

%uFFFD Ensure the smooth and efficient operations in the Conservation department including the human and physical resources, and ensure that the department acts in a manner consistent with the goals, needs and ethics of the zoo.

%uFFFD Oversee the Conservation staff and animal collection.

%uFFFD Effectively communicate between section staff and management and other departments

%uFFFD Provide leadership for the section.

%uFFFD Contribute to the daily running of all aspects of the section through active participation in and contribution at monthly management meetings.

%uFFFD Collaborate on special projects

%uFFFD Management to form part of the Duty Weekend Roster and actively supervise the smooth and efficient running of operations for that period

It is the right thing to do and will show some good faith on Cape Nature/SPCA%u2019s part%u2014which is sorely needed following the negative publicity this public exposure has generated.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Yours sincerely

[Name]

[Country]