Regiment joins forces with SPCA to combat poaching
“All that is needed from you, the landowner or manager, is permission to visit the farm and the name and number of the person to contact beforehand. The troops may even overnight on your land in certain cases.We therefore request your cooperation to combat this poaching,” said Liebenberg.
The use of snares by poachers has been an ongoing headache in and around Barberton. It is ever on the increase with small game, as well as dogs and cattle being destroyed at an alarming rate. The SPCA has their hands full with the frequent call-outs to assist these animals.
“An increasing number of cattle are kept around town these days and we have had to cull several cows over the past few weeks where their legs that got caught in snares have started to rot. This poaching is not only cruel, but many animals die because poachers cannot always remember where all their traps are set. Consequently the SPCA has taken the initiative to call in the assistance of Col Dries Joubert of Regiment Botha at Dusty Ranch to combat this evil,” said
Marlies Liebenberg, secretary of Barberton SPCA and chairman for Mpumalanga.
Good news for all the landowners is that the troops of Regiment Botha have been made available by Col Joubert to remove all snares from their property. This will be done free of charge and on a regular basis. Liebenberg said this is part of the regiment’s community involvement for which the SPCA is very grateful.
“All that is needed from you, the landowner or manager, is permission to visit the farm and the name and number of the person to contact beforehand. The regiment also needs a map with more details of your property as they have the 1:50 000 topo-cadastral maps. The troops may even overnight on your land in certain cases.
We therefore request your cooperation to combat this poaching,” said Liebenberg.
Should you wish to make use of this proposition, please inform Liebenberg by sending her an email to marliesliebenberg@gmail.com or contact her on 083-897-3292. She will then bring you in contact with Col Joubert.
“The troops are due to arrive shortly, so this programme will get off the ground virtually immediately,” she said.
Liebenberg requested that this information be passed on to any farmer or landowner who might be interested so they can assist in removing poachers and save as many animals as possible.
