Keep a lookout for snares
Whether it be birds. small mammals or the bigger species in the animal kingdom, snares are used to catch a wide variety of wildlife.
The Mossel Bay Advertiser recently reached out to the founder of the Wildlife Crime Information Network (WCIN), Leon Rossouw, as well as CapeNature for some information on snaring.
Rossouw said snares are a widespread and serious problem here in the Western Cape. Snares can be made with anything from rope and wire to cable or nylon that cuts into the skin of animals.
"Snaring is one the cruellest forms of poaching. Poachers are either supplementing their own sustenance with bushmeat or selling the animals to others for use as bushmeat or medicinal purposes (muti).
"CapeNature said currently it was not aware of any recent snaring reports for the Mossel Bay area, but nevertheless provided information on what members of the public can do to curb the spread of snares. It mentioned firstly that hunting wildlife by means of a snare is seen as a serious offence.
"A person found guilty of a snaring offence under Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974 involving protected wild animals, can be liable to a maximum fine of R80 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or both, and to a further fine not exceeding three times the commercial value of the wild animals in respect of which the offence was committed."
Both Rossouw and CapeNature pointed out that snaring is indiscriminate. A specific species might be the intended target, but any species can suffer the consequences.
How you can help
Snaring takes place by persons that have access to natural habitat and have opportunity to set and check their snares. In some cases, CapeNature said, persons are given access to a property to perform a task or a service upon instruction from the landowner. "If supervision of such persons and their actions does not take place or takes place on a limited basis, it provides them with opportunity."
Landowners should become aware of their property boundaries and what types of habitats the wildlife moves through. Spoor, droppings, and wildlife paths are signs that inform humans on what types of wild animals occur on their properties and what habitat types they use. These observations can only be made through walking through these areas on a regular basis.
Rossouw mentioned poachers like to place snares on wild trails (like those found in green belts), normally areas where animals move through and the easiest way to find these snares when you go for a walk is to look for wild trails and look for any anchor points on these trails where animals will
naturally be funnelled. "Sometimes poachers artificially manipulate part of a bush by cutting some of the branches to create a choke point."
According to CapeNature overhanging branches or small trees are also used to secure snares.
In the case of landowners, Cape Nature said it was important for neighbours to keep in contact with each other and inspect their properties regularly for snares that might have been set up.
"Active snares and eye-witness accounts of persons setting or checking snares could be crucial to assist in apprehending suspects and should be reported to the relevant
conservation authority as soon as possible. Any photographs that depict the snaring scene and persons involved, animal carcasses found at the snaring site and/or eye-witness accounts is important evidence that could be used in a case against a suspect," the entity said.
Rossouw invited people to join the WCIN - ANTI SNARE WhatsApp group and be part of their dedicated team of volunteers that conducts snare removal operations in the Southern Cape and learn more about illegal snaring.
If people want to volunteer, they can send their details to snarewalk@wcin.org.za or WhatsApp 079 643 9556.