A Canadian timber wolf that escaped from the property of Absolute Exotics SA in Benoni Agricultural Holdings on New Year’s Eve has been captured and will be kept at the Benoni SPCA temporarily.

An initial decision to send the animal to a wildlife sanctuary has been overturned. SPCA manager Jacques Cronje explained keeping the animal in their care will allow the owners, Absolute Exotics SA, time to improve the wolf’s enclosure.

“Absolute Exotics SA doesn’t want to send the wolf to a sanctuary anymore but want to keep him.

“However, I am working hand-in-hand with SA Wildlife and NSPCA Wildlife regarding what can and cannot be done about them keeping this animal.

“For the time being, they have boarded him with us until the enclosure is upgraded and suitable,” said Cronje.

The one-year-old male wolf named Logan was recaptured at around 21:00 on Wednesday night, on a farm in Marister.

It had been on the run since escaping its enclosure on New Year’s Eve after being spooked by fireworks.

The wolf had, in fact, only been at Absolute Exotics SA for a few hours on December 31 when it escaped.

They had apparently rescued the animal from its previous owner after it allegedly suffered neglect and abuse.

There was also another wolf in the same enclosure at Absolute Exotics SA.

Members of Absolute Exotics SA in collaboration with inspectors from Benoni SPCA spent about three hours on the farm in Marister trying to catch the animal.

According to Cronje, they received information of its whereabouts from a member of the public and after confirming the details with Absolute Exotics SA, they headed to the location.

“We arrived at the location at around 19:00 and we concluded the search at 22:30.

“When we found the wolf, he was a bit nervous and scared. Traps were set up by placing chicken pieces in a cage. It took about two hours to catch him. He was healthy and uninjured.”

Christo Myburgh, of Absolute Exotics SA, confirmed the news that Logan was successfully captured with the assistance of Lupua Strike Force, a private security company.

“Logan is currently being kept at our local SPCA but soon will be moved back to Absolute Exotics SA facility. We are currently busy upgrading our enclosures to accommodate him and ensure he doesn’t escape again,” said Myburgh.

SPCA inspection
Cronje said along with members of the National Council of SPCAs, they had previously visited Absolute Exotics SA, which is located in Poplar Road, BAH.

“We conducted an inspection visits just before Christmas. We knew they had a wolf and a few monkeys.

“On the day, everything was in order. There was an adequate enclosure, shelter and food. There was no cruelty or neglect evident. Everything was according to law. There was no action we could take.”

Cronje added it is not against the law to keep exotic animals as pets.

“Although it is not something we support, we can’t act against people keeping exotic animals at home.

“Our role is to look after the animals’ well-being and ensure that they are taken care of.”