Rise in wire snares in City reserves shocks staff

AN increase in animal wire snares was discovered near the Diep River in the Table Bay Nature Reserve near Table View and Dunoon.

The City of Cape Town’s biodiversity branch staff who patrolled nature reserves and open natural spaces made the discovery.

The animal traps are suspected to be set by people living close to the nature reserve.

It could be people dealing in the illegal bush meat trade, said the City.

The reasons for the increase in snares are unknown and cannot be determined unless the people responsible are caught, they said.

“Snares are illegal, indiscriminate and cruel.

“Not only are they a threat to animals, but they also pose a threat to humans,” said mayco member for spatial planning and environment Marian Nieuwoudt.

More than 55 snares were found in one sweep, said Nieuwoudt.

She said traps could result in serious injury to residents who use the reserves for running and walking.

“If left unchecked, small and medium antelope species could be wiped out or simply driven into local extinction,” said Nieuwoudt.

Wire snares are easy to make from a wide array of easily obtained material.

Once set, they remain in place until an animal is caught.

All sorts of animals can get snared, including domestic pets.

Animals often get caught by a limb and take several days to die.

Some manage to break free and are either injured so that part of the body is permanently damaged for life or die slowly from the injury.

“This is the biggest increase we’ve seen by far. Never before have City staff found as many snares at one sweep.

“We urge members of the public to please help us fight this cruel habit and prevent the torture and killing of animals that could possibly lead to the extinction of indigenous species,” said Nieuwoudt.

She told Weekend Argus the city was continuing with daily patrols and would continue to engage the communities through various programmes, including environmental awareness and education.

Audrey Delsink, wildlife director at Humane Society International-Africa, an animal welfare organisation, said: “Snares are a cheap and easy means of illegally hunting bushmeat.

“They are a scourge that affect all areas and reserves in our country.”

The organisation stressed that there appeared to be an increase in bushmeat hunting across Africa.

“In South Africa, bushmeat hunting pressure is typically most severe close to human settlements or reserve boundaries due to easy access and opportunities,” added Delsink.

Delsink said we could not underestimate that handling bushmeat increases the risks of disease spillover to humans and their livestock.

The public can report illegal activity or snares by calling 083 499 1717 or 107 from a landline or 0214807700.

CITY OF CAPE TOWN ANIMALS are entangled in wire snares and take days to die. |