November 6th, 2008 - Beware false advertising in south africa

Beware false advertising in south africa

Report by the landmark foundation

The Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve near Port Elizabeth is proudly touted by SA Tourism authorities as an icon on the conservation landscape, with much puffery about ‘global biodiversity hotspots’ and how 6 of Southern Africa’s 7 biomes are represented. Such status, aimed at seducing tourists, conceals some ugly truths. Large parts of the mega reserve are occupied by livestock farmers, many of whom hunt and obdurately continue to set gin traps for predators.

Recent research findings of the Landmark Foundation project indicate a dire picture of the leopard populations of the area. In the roughly 300 000 hectares of land in and around this World Heritage Site of the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve, data indicates that the breeding population of leopards may be as low as 30 individuals! Still, gin traps, poisons and hunting dog packs are all being promoted in the draft Norms and Standards which are currently being drafted by the Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism (DEAT).

Sadly over the last month two more leopards have been killed in the Baviaanskloof by local farmers. This brings the total of leopards known to have been killed in the area to 28 since late 2002. (These are the ones we know of and the true number may be double this.) One farmer (Mr Tommy Thompson) had reportedly suffered stock losses and he fingered this particular leopard. We had been trying for two weeks to capture him in our cage traps when he was shot by the farmer. The farmer skinned the animal, cut off his feet and ears and started curing the skin. The farmer also cut off our GPS collar which was fitted around his neck. (These collars now costs R35 000 to replace.)

He was killed on 14 October 2008

This cat was very significant for us as he was the first leopard that we were able to capture in a live cage trap, collar with a GPS collar, and release back into the Baviaanskloof Reserve. He was an incredible cat, who had miraculously survived previous gin trap events by chewing off one hind foot.

Ban gin traps, poison traps and hunting dog packs!

You can help!

These barbaric practices are banned in more than 90 countries. We call on you all to write to DEAT and implore them to ban gin traps, the use of poison and hunting dog packs in the "control" of damage causing animals or the handling of wildlife.

Please submit your comments by 10 november 2008 to:

Mr Bonani Madikizela Director: Regulation and Monitoring Services Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism P/Bag X447 Pretoria0001
Tel: (012) 310 3308
Fax: (012) 320 2733 or (012) 322 2682
Email: BMadikizela@deat.gov.za
Also copy:
Okumalo@deat.gov.za
SKrugel@deat.gov.za
FMketeni@deat.gov.za
smeintjes@deat.gov.za
MBoshoff@deat.gov.za
LDitshego@deat.gov.za
WMandivenyi@deat.gov.za