Amanzimtoti animal lovers are disgusted that a party was allowed to take place in the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary on Saturday, 22 October.
The party, described by some residents as “loud and drunk”, continued throughout the day and late into the afternoon at the bird sanctuary with litter left behind.
“This is a sanctuary for our birds, a safe place for them to nest, moult and rest,” said a neighbouring resident, Robyn Maree.
“These parties were stopped a few years ago after we rescued a spur winged goose from the park which had its beak stuck in a beer can, which was full of rotting blood. Sadly the goose had to be euthanased by the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) due to the severity of the injury, as septicaemia had set in and his beak was nearly cut off by the can.
And now it’s happening again. I also believe the braaing facilities in the park should be removed as they are not being supervised or cleaned up properly,” said Robyn.
“That sanctuary is in no way a safe place for our wildlife,” said Toti bird rehabilitor, Carlyn Hattingh. “It’s been left to the wolves.
Egyptian geese are forced out the sanctuary to breed in people’s yards, which puts them at high risk of attack from dogs and intolerant people.
Read also: Help Egyptian geese survive urban jungle
There’s been snares found in the bushes there, as people are trying to catch the blue duiker. We don’t have many natural buck left, because they are being hunted. I don’t know why there’s no entrance fee charged to visit the park and that money can be used to fix the place up.”
Queries were sent to ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge on social media requesting assistance.
Although the bird park falls in ward 93, Cllr Beetge committed to assist where he could.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on the general conditions of the park over the last couple of weeks, as it seems to deteriorate by the day,” he said.
There’s been snares found in the bushes there, as people are trying to catch the blue duiker. We don’t have many natural buck left, because they are being hunted – Carlyn Hattingh
“I conducted a site meeting on Monday morning, 24 October at which time I also took several photographs that were attached to correspondence directed to the natural resources area manager, Kenneth Mabila, as well as the parks, recreation and cemetries deputy head, Sibusiso Mkhwanazi for investigation and comment.
When similar functions were hosted at the park some years ago, Mr Mkhwanazi, who was at the time a senior manager with natural resources, succeeded in assisting to get it stopped them with immediate effect.
Clearly lawlessness has started to creep in again.”
Ward 93 councillor, Thabisile Zungu promised to look into the matter, while the Sun is still awaiting a response to its queries directed to eThekwini Municipality.
The public and affected parties are invited to a meeting at the bird park on Saturday, 29 October at 10am to address the issue.
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