Wildlife faces new threat

Packs of hunting dogs taken to site of hunt by taxi to find, kill animals in bush

MONDAY AUGUST 29 2016

DOG HUNTERS are endangering the biodiversity of the West Coast, according to CapeNature and the Endangered Wildlife Trust. A new trend in poaching is seeing illegal “taxi hunters” prey on local wildlife with packs of hunting dogs. The hunt is recreational, and the poachers bet on the outcomes – like whose dog will make the first kill, and what species the dogs will bring in.

Conservationists have dubbed these poachers “taxi hunters” because they are usually transported to the site of the hunt by taxi.

CapeNature spokesman Justin Lawrence said poaching was on the rise despite laws that protect wildlife.

“Despite progressive environmental legislation, the unprecedented poaching of wildlife in South Africa is increasing. This includes ‘taxi hunting’, a relatively new form of hunting for recreational and gambling purposes,” Lawrence said.

“Poachers often travel far distances to conduct hunts, trespassing on private property without any permission from landowners, hunting permits or licences to hunt wild animals illegally for sport and gambling.”

Taxi hunts cannot be regarded as a traditional cultural practice according to Samson Phakati, senior field office at the Endangered Wildlife Trust. He said they corrupted traditional hunting practices, and had already contributed to the decline of endanagered oribi buck in KwaZuluNatal.

Last month, six men from Nomzamo township in Strand were arrested in Melkbosstrand with the carcasses of a Cape fox and a porcupine in their possession. They also had a pack of 11 hunting dogs.

Police intercepted the hunters on the R27 West Coast Road and arrested them for illegal possession and hunting of wild animals.

The men appeared in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court two weeks ago, and their case was postponed. If found guilty, they could face up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of R80 000 per charge.

CapeNature conservation services officer Leandi Wessels said hunting with dogs was particularly destructive because they would attack any animal that moved.

“Poaching with dogs is a destructive and indiscriminate hunting method and any animal that moves is chased down and attacked, including livestock,” she said.

“Taxi hunting has markedly increased over past year, particularly along the West Coast.”

The hunters usually used cross-bred dogs containing greyhound and whippet genes.

“The hunters and dogs are usually transported by taxis to a certain area where a hunt is to take place – hence the name ‘taxi hunting’,” Wessels said.

“It appears not necessarily to be about the outcome of the hunt, and participants bet on anything, from whose dog and which dog will make the first kill, to which species of animal will be brought down first; accordingly it may also include illegal gambling practice.”

She said the possibility of retaliation at landowners who tried to chase the hunters off their properties could not be ruled out.

Members of the public with information about illegal hunting on the West Coast are urged to contact CapeNature’s Leandi Wessels on 021 955 9121/0.