Snares and Poaching

24.11.11

The Highveld is home to 130 species of mammals¹. Unfortunately many of these animals are poached for food, snared for use in muti, or sold on a larger scale for financial gain. However, a snare is not simply a trapping mechanism. Many animals that are caught in snares do not die from the direct action of being snared; rather they bleed out from their wounds, die from severe infections as a result of their wounds, or die from exposure, starvation or dehydration. Death through capture by snares is slow, painful and prolonged for the unfortunate animal that is trapped. 

 Poaching and trapping is illegal

Anybody caught poaching or hunting game, unfortunately is only liable to a fine of R1000 -R1500 or can be imprisoned for 12-18 months, depending on whether that person has been convicted of the same offence before, or not². Poaching, hunting, trapping, removing of plants and animals without permission is illegal and is contrary to Rand Water’s code of ethics and is therefore punishable.

 The effect of poaching on biodiversity

On a larger scale poaching means a loss in numbers of indigenous wildlife, which in turn impacts biodiversity and the successful functioning of a natural ecosystem.  Humans are fully reliant on successfully functioning ecosystems. A balanced natural ecosystem will provide its occupants (humans included) with fresh air, clean water, healthy soil for good food and restoration for the soul. A balanced natural ecosystem is also a Water Wise ecosystem. By over exploiting just one animal or plant in the ecosystem can result in an imbalance which affects everything else negatively.

 What can you do?

Report any incidents of this kind by calling the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s ‘environmental crimes’ hotline at 0800 012 322. Alternatively call the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s Call Centre on 086 111 2468, or the  24-hour Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline at 0800 205 005. Also, do not leave any materials lying around that could be used for constructing traps i.e. wire mesh, barbed wire, tins, cans, etc. Join interest groups such as the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve Association(www.knra.co.za). Organizations such as this   often participate in ‘snare hunts’, whereby volunteers search nature reserves and conservation areas for traps and snares, which are then removed and destroyed. Make sure that you respect all living organisms, from spiders, to snakes to plants, to owls and scrub hares!

 Remember that being Water Wise means conserving our biodiverse environment!

¹ Gauteng State of the Environment Report 2004, Chapter 8: Biodiversity.

² Assignment of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, 1983, of the former Province Transvaal. To certain provinces under section 235 (8) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993.