During a recent visit to the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve (KNR), a young couple discovered a springbok caught in a snare.
The CHRONICLE approached Jenny Moodley, the communications officer for Joburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), to find out more about the problem plaguing the reserve.
Moodley said, “It is concerning to see the snares in the reserve. We are requesting that all visitors be extra vigilant when they walk in the reserve, as snares can also be dangerous if a person steps in them. If visitors come across a snare or an animal caught, it’s important to either inform the private security guard located at the gates or phone the helpline.
“We have also added more security guards who do patrols, but we can’t put guards every few metres as it’s not viable, so we also rely on the public to report snares.”
The Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve Association (KNRA), with the help of Bianca Coetzer and Devon Marais, started a snare hunting project to ensure they clear up all the snares that might be in the reserve.
The CHRONICLE also approached Tumi Shoba from KNR about the snaring and the way forward for the reserve.
Shoba said, “We have environmental monitors who are qualified field rangers from the Wildlife College working with JCPZ park rangers. After receiving information about a recent incident, an ambush was planned through our trained field rangers, JMPD, park rangers and SAPS.
Unfortunately, due to leaking information through social media, the culprits/poachers were alarmed and didn’t return the same night for the carcass collection. We urge community members, stakeholders and patriots to notify KNR of such incidents immediately before putting them on social media and WhatsApp groups so we can put up proper measures with no fail. We will continue having our anti-poaching programmes and more ambushes.”
In the last five years, there have been four incidents of poaching in the reserve.
In most instances, the carcass was retrieved by the rangers and the snares removed before it caused more damage to the wildlife.
Shoba also encouraged people to join the KNRA’s anti-poaching programmes to help combat the poaching in the reserve.
