State of animals in reserve causes concern

Postings made on social media during the weekend raised concern about the alleged poor state of health of some animals in the Polokwane Game Reserve and the perceived reluctance of the Polokwane Municipality to act on the situation.
Polokwane Observer was provided with pictures of eland seen in the vicinity of the water hole nearest to the entrance, one of which appeared to be severely infested with insects.
Matshidiso Motha­po, Communications and Marketing Manager of Polokwane Municipality said the authority was dealing with the condition of some of the animals in the reserve since it was noticed recently, involving a number of role players that include doctors from the provincial Department of Agriculture.
“A veterinary surgeon was also asked to assist with the animals and a report on whether this is due to lack of adequate vegetation for food or some disease, is awaited,” Mothapo said.
Mothapo also confirmed that the animals in the game reserve are being fed and that feeding supplements are brought in.
“The public should rest assured that the municipality will continue using all possible avenues to ensure the normal state of affairs at the reserve,” Mothapo says.
Neither Mothapo, nor Maloko Manaka, Inspector at Polokwane SPCA could confirm that any animals had died in the Game Reserve due to bad health recently.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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