Dead tortoises cause controversy for FreeMe
PAULSHOF - Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, FreeMe in Paulshof has come under fire from the reptile-loving community.
A resident, who chose to remain anonymous, contacted the Sandton Chronicle via its Facebook page with information that FreeMe had recently euthanised 34 tortoises at their facility. “Expose them if its true on their true colours of being frauds,” the resident said. “The reptile community is up in arms about this, and for endangered, protected animals this is disgusting behaviour.”
The management of FreeMe responded to the allegations by saying that FreeMe is a facility which is permitted by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate and release indigenous reptiles, mammals and birds. The National Council of SPCA’s has also accredited FreeMe and often send the rehabilitation centre indigenous wild animals.
The centre said that given the fact that they deal with wildlife that has been snared, kept illegally as pets, poisoned, hit by cars, caught by dogs, stoned by people and used for traditional medicine, there is a percentage of cases that are so badly damaged or injured that the centre’s veterinarians make the decision to humanely euthanise them.
Referring specifically to the euthanisation of the tortoises, FreeMe said that in the period between January 2012 and May 2014, the centre admitted a total of 574 tortoises. Over this period 25 tortoises were euthanised upon admittance due to non-viable injuries or disease, while another eight died at FreeMe while under treatment for various conditions such as emaciation, poisoning and malnutrition which they were admitted with.
“The dates clearly illustrate that the accusation is unfounded and untrue,” FreeMe said. “We have an open door policy and always answer queries and questions from the public.”
