MEYERSDAL – The Meyersdal Eco Estate was instructed to remove the giraffes after it has been established that they do not have suitable browsing area.
The Gauteng Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (GDARD) confirmed this week that they became aware that some animals, such as the giraffe, were being kept without sufficient “browse” available to them, and the estate was instructed to translocate the giraffe to an area with suitable browse. This decision was taken after an investigation by GDARD into the browse available to the animals.
“The question of whether the estate had permits to import or convey the giraffe can only be answered after an investigation by our colleagues in the Enforcement Directorate,” said spokesperson for GDARD, Andile Gumede.
“It should also be explained that permits are required to import and convey game. Permits are not required to keep game on extensive areas, but are required to keep game in bomas or small camps,” he continued.
Allegations were also made that there are other animals in the estate which are not in their natural habitat, since they do not originate from this area, and that they are also being kept without permission.
“The department will have to establish what animals are kept there, and whether the habitat is suitable for that area. The department allows introduction of game into an area, of which the size is big enough to support the species of game and where the habitat is suitable. The department does not allow introduction of game in areas where animals are out of their natural distribution,” Gumede said.
Criteria for the issuing of permits are as follows: Permits are issued in terms of either the applicable Provincial Nature Conservation Legislation or National Legislation – sometimes both may apply. Upon receipt of an application, the department evaluates the application in terms of the applicable legislation, legislative regulations, norms and standards, departmental policies and guidelines, and then decide whether a permit can be issued.
It has to be noted that sometimes the evaluation process will include a physical site inspection when necessary.
Deaths of other animals on the estate have not been reported to the GDARD, and once again it was explained that such allegations, with sufficient information as to dates and details of the incidents, should be reported to the SPCA.
Attorneys representing the estate, Jurgens Bekker Attorneys, commented: “The giraffe were moved due to the threat of overpopulation, coupled with the fact that the permits were declined. As a result thereof our client again applied for permits.
“Three of the animals were sold and permits were issued by the department for their capture and relocation. Recent evidence may indicate a possibility of giraffes having naturally occurred in the area.
“In the event that it is confirmed that giraffes are indigenous to the area, our client will be in a better position to apply and possibly obtain the permits for the three remaining giraffes. The area is approximately 400 ha.”
