“Poachers should be skinned alive” say angry residents
Mandy Killian | 6 August 2014 08:42
Despite a R5 000 reward being offered, police and wildlife authorities appear not to have any firm leads that will help them catch the culprits responsible for the slaughter and skinning of three zebra in Ashburton last week.
There was widespread outrage in Ashburton last week after residents found the three zebra carcasses, one hidden deep in the bush near the Gold Circle Training Centre and the other two along the Lion Park road. The animals had all been “professionally” skinned. There have also been other reports of zebra poaching in the area.
Wildlife enthusiast Mark Lederle, said the poached animals were wild zebra that live in the bushveld between Bishopstowe and Cato Ridge. The skins of all three zebra had been ‘professionally’ removed, but the meat, heads and tails had been left intact. “They are a protected species. Anyone found shooting them without a permit, or trading the hide illegally can be heavily fined and even sentenced to prison,” said Lederle.
The zebra were shot with what appeared to be a high-powered rifle. One of the zebra was shot in the chest and the bullet went straight through the animal and came out of its rump.Another zebra was also shot in the chest and the other was shot in its shoulder. Lederle says that when they were found they were still “very fresh” which leads him to believe that they were shot last weekend.
A reward of R5 000 has been offered for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the poachers. Anyone with information can contact Lederle on 076 031 4035.
Besides zebra, the Lower Mpushini Conservancy has about 30 species of naturally growing plants and boasts a variety of wildlife including kudu, nyala, duiker, jackal, lizards, a variety of rodents including porcupine, as well as wild cats, including several unconfirmed leopard sightings. The valley also supports a large bird population. To date, over 150 species have been recorded including the Nerina Trogon, Ground Hornbill, African Fish Eagle, Martial Eagle and Secretary Bird.
Residents are now calling on authorities to put in place serious measures and resources to protect the area’s wildlife. “This is one of the last remaining natural wildlife ecosystems around the city and it is imperative that wildlife authorities and the police take steps to protect the flora and fauna of this area, bearing in mind that this is a conservancy and that many of the plants and animals are already designated as protected species. It is absolutely barbaric that greed would drive some people to butcher these zebra in the manner that they did, for their skins.The culprits should be skinned alive,” said a resident in the area and a member of the Lower Mpushini Conservancy.
A public meeting about the proposed Local Area Plan (LAP) for the area was held in Asburton earlier this year. Serious concerns were raised about the environmental conservation areas that border the central SED is (South Eastern District) area recognized by the consultants as important natural environmental areas needing protection.
Neither Ezemvelo Wildlife nor the SAPS had responded to our queries at the time of going to press. Online story to be updated once comment has been received.
