Stop culling, for the sake of ubuntu

YOUR article on page 3 of the Cape Argus of July 10 entitled “Robben island deer cull ready to resume”, refers.

We would like to thank Yolisa Tswanya for her excellent article highlighting the current mindset by so called “conservationists” of resolving issues with bullets instead of by negotiation, even though in their publication entitled “The control of Fallow Deer population at Robben Island: Project Proposal” they concede that culling is inhumane and unsustainable and that sterilisation merits consideration. If sterilisation and relocation were implemented, non-violent outcomes would result instead of needless cruelty. They would do well to ponder the words of Albert Schweitzer, who said in his Philosophy of Civilisation, that “Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself know peace.”

To know that today, hunters with guns, will be shooting to kill the gentle fallow deer and probably cats and rabbits as well, causing likely maiming and no doubt terrifying them, is a horrifying thought on the part of sensitive, caring people who would support humane alternatives such as sterilisation and relocation to sanctuaries.

According to the opinion of a legal expert, it is also likely to fall foul of Section 2 of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

For this cruelty to happen on Robben Island, a place of peace and reconciliation, is an additional travesty. When the Himalayan Tahr were killed on Table Mountain, despite a funded rescue plan being in place, the conservation officials were crass enough to have a celebratory Tahr braai. Would Nelson Mandela have wanted the Island’s earth to run red with the blood of the hapless fallow deer?

The cull should immediately be halted, giving all concerned the opportunity to find appropriate sanctuaries. South Africa needs to set an example to the world that it is capable of overcoming the violence towards both people and animals in the spirit of ubuntu.