THERE is no ground for prosecution with regard to the death of the giraffe on the Meyersdal Eco Estate on July 30, says Sr. Ainsley Hay, Manager Wildlife Protection Unit for the NSPCA.
One giraffe died during the capturing process and the second on the highway during transportation after its head hit an overbridge on the N12.
Questions regarding the death of the giraffes, allegations of death of more animals on the Estate, and the transport of Lucky were forwarded to the NSPCA. Sr. Ainsley Hay, Manager Wildlife Protection Unit for the NSPCA responded that they have investigated the death of the giraffe on the Meyersdal Eco Estate on July 30 and confirm that they will not prosecute.
“This animal died during anaesthetic which is not unheard of when anaesthetising wild animals as there is always a risk involved, there is no evidence of foul play or negligence,” he said.
In the meantime the RECORD was also informed about the alleged deaths of other animals on the Estate, and that nobody was made aware of the deaths of these animals. These would allegedly include a zebra drowning, a nyala impaling itself on a palisade fence, while another nyala was shot by an unknown person. There are also allegations that some animals died after being electrocuted on the fence or broke their legs.
Jurgens Bekker Attorneys, the Estate’s attorneys answered that they are unaware of these specific incidents and that they “assume it must have happened over time / several years.” They requested specific details of the events, such as dates from those who made the allegations.
“I can confirm that we have not received any complaints regarding the Meyersdal Eco Estate in the past,” Hay said. He also stated that evidence of the alleged deaths should be forwarded to them for investigation.
Transporting Lucky
The surviving giraffe, which has since been named Lucky, is still in a resting period and is reported to be doing well. It has since been reported that the same company, Ditjabe Wildlife Services, will transport her at a later stage, in the same way in an open trailer on the same highway, all the way to her new owner.
Once again, Ditjabe Wildlife Services failed to comment when a list of questions regarding the precautions they will follow, and possible route planning to avoid another tragedy, was emailed to them.
According to Sr. Hay, the death of the giraffe on the highway is still under investigation by their colleagues at the Tshwane SPCA. “They are working with all parties involved to ensure that the remaining giraffe is not transported in the same way and that it will be done according to the regulations as set out in the Animals Protection Act no 71 of 1962 and the SABS codes on the transportation of wild herbivores.”
Resident’s complaint
Last week the RECORD reported that one of the residents is being accused of laying a complaint with GDARD (Gauteng Department of Agricultural and Rural Development) about the animals not having permits and not living in their natural habitat and that this might be the reason for the sale of the giraffes.
This week we made contact with the resident who denied the accusations stating: “I never complaint to GDARD about the giraffes being in the estate. I am not aware that the giraffes were ever mistreated in the estate, actually quite the opposite.”
Attorney Andrew Boerner again confirmed that the estate had applied for the necessary permits for the animals. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a permit to Ditjabe Wildlife Services for the capture and transport of the animals, said Boerner.
