Tiger being kept on plot causes a stir
A nine-week-old white Bengal tiger in the Benoni Agricultural Holdings has caused a stir on social media, with Ban Animal Trading asking the public on its Facebook page to “stop supporting businesses where animals are used as entertainment”.
The City Times visited the property on October 5, where the owner of the cub, John Wagenaar, said he purchased the animal and received it on September 30.
He said he is hoping to establish an educational centre on the plot for the benefit of the community.
“I am not here to make money, I make lots of money; I am here to provide a service to the community,” he said.
According to Lillian Venter, who rents the property and is sub-letting to Wagenaar, she and the owner of the wild cat were working on establishing an educational centre on the plot, where she runs an entertainment venue.
Earlier this week, a relative of Venter posted on Facebook that the tiger could be viewed at a fee.
This post has since been removed.
Venter told the City Times on October 6 that she has now learnt that a licence, regulated under the Performing Animals Protection Act (PAPA) is required for the exhibition of animals.
She said she was also oblivious to her relative’s Facebook post, and asked the person to delete the post immediately.
Bomikazi Molapo, spokesperson for the minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, said: “The aforementioned bill [PAPA] seeks to regulate any persons that intend to exhibit, train or use animals for safeguarding to apply for such a licence. However, in the case of the tiger cub in question, it may not apply if it is kept as a pet, unless it is used for exhibitions or training as required by the PAPA.”
Wagenaar said he has been given the runaround between the courts and the NSPCA for over a year to acquire the permit, but said visitors were not charged to see the animal, nor did they interact with it.
He said he is not guilty of exhibiting the cat.
Vicky Finnemore, manager of the Benoni SPCA, said the animal was not being abused, but a warning was issued to Wagenaar on October 6 to apply for the PAPA licence.
Venter said she has unfortunately been drawn into the situation, which has led to her being attacked from all angles.
“I just want the community to know I have withdrawn myself completely from this,” she said.
“I have given Wagenaar notice; he has seven days to find the correct place to place his tiger.”
Also read:
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 2006
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
