AN URGENT interim court interdict was obtained by Brendan Bristow of the Wildlife Heritage Organisation Zululand (WHOZ) late on Thursday afternoon to prevent the removal of three zebra from the Mtunzini Backpackers by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The translocation was due to take place along with zebra from the Zini Estate, the uMlalazi Nature Reserve and those wandering around Mtunzini town on Friday morning.
Ezemevelo planned to translocate the zebra to a boma in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park to acclimatise before being released into the wild.
In a poll placed at various shops in Mtunzini, Bristow requested the public to indicate if they wanted the zebra to stay or not and the result showed an overwhelming ‘yes’ to the zebra staying in the town.
There were negative responses from only 10 people among 3 000 emails supporting the zebras staying in town.
Despite this massive response, no organisation was, however, prepared to take responsibility for the animals.
Bristow approached the ward councillor, the Mtunzini Ratepayers Association and the Conservancy, but none are prepared to take the responsibility to address the matter and this is why Bristow launched WHOZ.
Bristow made the urgent application to the Mtunzini Magistrate’s Court to prevent the removal on Thursday afternoon.
This was granted and Ezemvelo was given until 2pm on Friday to respond.
Chief Magistrate Nzimela heard the application and ruled that no court date be set for further court action, allowing the parties to settle the matter out of court.
The removal of the animals cannot take place while this process is underway.
Ezemvelo’s main concern is that while the town wants to keep the animals, no one is prepared to take responsibility and that an urban environment is not suited to wildlife.
The animals are a danger to motorists as well as pedestrians. Stallions are particularly a danger to humans.
WHOZ says that if the animals are allowed to stay in the town, they will have the males gelded to stop aggression and keep the population in check.
The now three zebra – a baby was born early last week – at Backpackers are ‘tame’ and Bristow fears for their safety if released into a game reserve with big cats.
Ezemvelo says that this would not be the first time that they would be dealing with this sort of situation and in the past game translocated under similar situations have adapted and survived in Ezemvelo’s parks.
The animals would be released after spending time in a boma before being released into their new environment.
WHOZ says the zebras are good for business, tourism and Mtunzini’s environmental integrity.
