AN URBAN Anti-Poaching walk was held recently in the Krantzloof Nature Reserve.
BESETdurban, who describe themselves as a storytelling movement, organised the event in partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the NPO, Snare Aware.
Snare Aware’s founding member shared information about how to recognise and remove snares in the natural environment. The members of the NPO operate anonymously, for security and safety reasons.
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The Snare Aware founder has an environmental management background, and said he was prompted to start the NPO during the Covid-19 pandemic. When the public was allowed outdoors, he walked in his local nature reserve and was shocked by the numerous active snares he found. He retrieved them, returning home with 15 or 20 snares on each outing.
Snare Aware has. since inception, removed more than 1 100 snares from reserves and private property across the province. The group runs awareness events, training sessions, and continues to undertake snare sweeps as frequently as possible. The NPO sends the removed snares to Down2theWire, which makes jewellery from them. The Snare Aware founder wears two decorative bangles, which were made from snares he personally removed.
Krantzkloof Nature Reserve manager Waldo Bekker and his field-ranger team were on hand. Bekker said he and his rangers were grateful for the support from Snare Aware and for the interest in conservation shown by the Highway community.
The briefing emphasised the importance of searching for signs pointing to the location of snares, rather than searching for the noose, as the apparatus can be almost invisible. The snares are smaller in urban areas and set closer to the ground, as the prey is smaller. The snares are made from wire, rope, strapping or anything that can be formed into a noose.
Once the snare is located on a sweep, the Snare Aware member notes new materials or techniques, takes a photo and records the location. Part of the snare is left behind, so the poacher will know that it has been purposefully removed. Snare Aware collects data for research purposes, to identify patterns, hotspots and trends. Each snare type and location is documented on the NPO’s database, with a total of 1 154 snares recorded to date.
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Commonly poached animals in the Kloof area include bush buck, cane rats, duiker, genets, mongoose, bush pig, and porcupine. Snares might trap a different animal than the intended prey. Many domestic animals get caught in snares located in suburban green belts.
The NPO advised attendees to notify the relevant authorities when an injured animal is discovered alive in a snare. Some animals, even those that are small, can become dangerous when injured.
The Honorary Officers (HO) is a volunteer service organisation which works alongside the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve field rangers.
To join or for enquiries, contact BESETdurban, Down2theWire, the Honorary Officers, or Snare Aware on social media; specifically Facebook or Instagram.
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