Wildlife crisis: Court determines culling a necessity at Marloth Park following NSPCA interdict

The culling of animals in a wildlife sanctuary straddling the Kruger National Park must be allowed, a court has ruled.

The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) made good on a promise to interdict the municipality and a ratepayer’s association that was blocking the population reduction measures.

The Mbombela division of the Mpumalanga High Court this week ruled in favour of the NSPCA, compelling the Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM) to act.

Judgment in NSPCA’s favour

Tensions between the NSPCA, the municipality and the Marloth Park Ratepayers Association (MPRA) had reached boiling point.

NSPCA’s final demand to cull animals in the luxurious bush getaway park came in August after reaching a stalemate with residents.

ALSO READ: Peta slams Namibia’s ‘cruel’ wildlife culling

The species of animal was not specified, but the wildlife was said to have become overpopulated in the area, with several having died of starvation.

Ruling in the NSPCA’s favour, the judgment stated that the municipality must do “all things necessary to immediately manage the population crisis” affecting the animals at Marloth Park.

This must be carried out humanely and the municipality must acquire feed and veterinary care for the animals, pending any actions to remedy the population crisis.

Municipality relieved

The Nkomazi Local Municipality stated that it welcomed the judgment as it puts an end to the “fierce attack” it has been subjected to by Marloth Park residents wanting to prevent the culling.

The municipality added that it had attempted to carry of the population reduction measures but was met with court interdicts and other “unwarranted” threats that delayed the process.

“NLM is flabbergasted by such individuals whose actions display total arrogance and ignorance on how nature conservation should be managed,” stated NLM spokesperson Cyril Prince Repinga.

The municipality’s previous procedures included counting the animals before having them culled by nature conservationists.

Regarding their way forward, Repinga said, ”NLM will in the next few days avail a plan of action with duty to care on how the reduction of wildlife will be carried out.”

Conflicting resident factions

The Marloth Park Ratepayers Association (MPRA) and the Marloth Park Property Owners Association (MPPOA) have been at loggerheads over the wildlife population at the park.

The MPRA was previously said to have had their own interdict against culling, while the MPPPOA took the side of the NSPCA, reported the Lowvelder.

The MPPOA claimed illegal bomas were built by the MPRA to feed and capture animals, however this led to wasted resources.

The MPRA disagreed, saying: “[It is] due to the fact that the municipality was reluctant to catch the animals in bomas and move them to Lionspruit where they can be shot.”

The municipality said it is satisfied that its authority over the wellbeing of the park’s wildlife has been restored, and will take pride in exercising its duty.

“Nkomazi Local Municipality will ensure that strict adherence to municipal by-laws will be effected to maintain and manage nature conservation in Marloth Park,” Repinga concluded.

NOW READ: Marloth Park’s animal culling causes strong differences of opinion