Culling of geese in Rynpark 7 necessary for residents’ safety

An anonymous source recently told the City Times about an incident at Rynpark 7 in which two Egyptian geese were shot and killed at around 6am, causing what the source claimed was panic among some elderly residents.

According to Rynpark CEO Marius Botha, the culling of the geese became necessary.

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“We do regret that the culling of two geese became necessary, but our first responsibility is towards the safety of our elderly residents,” said Botha.

“Rynpark is a retirement facility with a large number of seniors aged 70 plus.

“We had received complaints from our residents indicating that these geese were aggressive and also that their droppings made for a serious fall risk.

“We do promote active ageing and therefore it is our responsibility to keep all recreational areas clean and safe.

“Even active elders who suffer a fall can experience major health complications.

“We used the services of an independent contractor licensed for the hunting of birds as permitted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in terms of the Nature Conservation Ordinance 12 of 1983.

“We did approach an animal welfare organisation which unfortunately was not able to assist us at the time.”

Patience Mthembu, Nature Conservation: Permits Office for Sustainable Use of Environment in Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), confirmed GDARD issued a licence for the hunting of birds which are ordinary game during an open season to the hunter.

Andile Gumede, deputy director of corporate communications at GDARD, said the department annually opens a hunting season.

“One of the listed species during hunting season is, for example, Egyptian geese.

“Open season was from May until the end of August.

“A number of licences have been issued to hunt such birds.

“When a bird is to be hunted, the hunter must obtain the written permission of the land owner.”