Barlow’s harsh words on X (formerly Twitter) come after the learners from the school killed Raygun the baboon on Friday.
Media reports indicated the learners were caught on camera stoning and burning Raygun to death after he was spotted on the school’s rooftop on his way into the wild.
The animal had escaped the Zwavelpoort Valley near Olympus and roamed around the suburbs of Pretoria, finally making his way to Delmas.
Barlow angrily said the schoolchildren were tomorrow’s rapists and murderers as they found pleasure in torturing an innocent animal.
She cited many scholars, explaining that humans who abuse others tend to have a history of cruelty towards animals.
“The studies and expert opinions have shown that individuals who engage in cruelty towards animals, during their formative years, are more likely to exhibit violent tendencies, including becoming serial killers and rapists,” said Barlow.
Barlow chastised the government for its archaic laws that disregard animal rights, unlike developed countries where animal abuse is recognised.
She said society urgently needed to prevent animal cruelty for the safety of both creatures and humans.
“The way we treat the most vulnerable members of our society, both animals and humans, speaks volumes about our moral and ethical compass,” said Barlow.
Raygun’s death sparked public outrage and led to a petition being launched by Dr Tristán Kapp.
The petition is calling for the school to be held accountable for its learners’ heinous actions, and has since garnered more than 8000 signatures with the target set at 10 000.
Attempts to get hold of Botleng Secondary School about the baboon’s killing were unsuccessful, but Mpumalanga Education Department spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, rebuked the learners’ violent behaviour towards Raygun.
“The department is deeply shocked and saddened by the incident that took place at Botleng Secondary School in Victor Khanye Local Municipality, where a baboon was reportedly attacked and killed by a group of learners.
“The department strongly condemns any form of violence against animals and asserts that all living beings, human or animal, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” he said.
The baboon’s killing highlighted a critical need for environmental and wildlife education to be incorporated into the school curriculum, said Sambo.
“This incident highlights the critical need for education on the importance of preserving nature and respecting wildlife.
“Learners must be taught to understand their role in protecting the environment. We urge all stakeholders – schools, communities – to work together to prevent such incidents in the future.
“This can be done by promoting a deep understanding of wildlife conservation and environmental responsibility. The department has requested a detailed report from the school,” said Sambo.
Reports by the media revealed that the National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA) was seeking justice for the slain baboon and had offered a reward of R20 000 for information about those involved in the incident.
The Star