Umdoni Retirement Village addresses monkey culling claims amid community backlash
Umdoni Retirement Village on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast faces community outrage over alleged plans to cull Vervet monkeys, but management insists no such actions are in place, prioritising resident safety.
Earlier this week, a letter from the village informing residents of a 6am – 10am ‘lockdown’ on Sunday, October 26, where ‘a targeted Wildlife Management Intervention’ will take place.
According to the letter, this comes following consultation with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife regarding the escalating monkey problem at the village.
This sparked massive backlash from the community, with many calling for the village to stop the ‘planned’ action. A petition was even started in a bid to get the village to stop the ‘planned culling’.
However, in a statement, Umdoni Retirement Village said it did not have plans to cull any animals.
“No mass culling of monkeys at Umdoni Retirement Village has been planned or communicated, despite several elderly residents having sustained quite serious injuries which include broken bones, fractures and bites,” the village said.
Hibiscus Retirement Villages, CEO, Pierre Rossouw, acknowledged the concerns from residents and the broader community.
According to Rossouw, the proposed programme forms part of a broader regional initiative that has already been implemented across both the southern and northern coastal areas to address increasing challenges in human and wildlife interaction.
He said on October 16, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife clarified the legal framework governing the management of vervet monkeys.
“We confirm that all aspects of the planned intervention are being conducted in accordance with those guidelines and the relevant provincial conservation legislation,” he added.
Rossouw said the safety and well-being of residents remain the village’s main concern.
“We are especially concerned about the elderly and frail. Their mobility, dignity and peace of mind have been compromised by increasingly bold monkey activity,” he said.
So far, at least six elderly residents required medical attention from monkey confrontations, Rossouw stated.
“We are working with the authorities and residents to find a solution to the problem. I will also chair a meeting of residents next week.
“Nothing will be done unilaterally or without responsible and compassionate intervention. This may result in nothing being done at all,” he stated.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Musa Mntambo, said the intervention is not an Ezemvelo initiative.
He further clarified that Vervet monkeys are classified as mammals and are subject to the requirements as set out in the Mammals Chapter of the Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance and a permit to hunt, shoot or capture them on privately-owned land is not required from Ezemvelo.
“The legislation, however, does state that any monkey captured may not be transported or released into the wild without a permit from Ezemvelo. The keeping of Vervet Monkeys in captivity is, however, subject to permitting requirements and adherence to the Provincial Primate Norms and Standards.
“Ezemvelo acknowledges the increase in human-monkey conflicts within the province. A primary cause of this conflict is poor waste management, which provides an unlimited and easily accessible food source for these intelligent animals,” he said.
According to Ezemvelo animal scientist, Brent Coverdale, within South Africa, the ultra-processed diets of humans and the waste generated are leading to birthing complications within Vervet Monkeys, and Type II diabetes is starting to be recorded in Chacma Baboons.
“The disruption within the natural systems has resulted in vervets seeking these high-sugar foods whilst simultaneously losing any fear of man,” Coverdale added.
He stated that this dietary change, combined with the species’ intelligence and ability to exploit niches within the environment, is why proper waste management is so critical to reducing conflict.
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