Game massacre outrage: ‘This is no hunt’

Foreign visitors are taking part in a hunt which conservationists fear will lead to the massacre of hundreds of animals.

Johannesburg - “This is no hunt… this scene is driven by blood-thirsty men and women who sit and wait for poor, petrified animals to come into a clearing.”

These were the words of Ban Animal Trading South Africa (BAT) spokeswoman Smaragda Louw who, together with the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), have come out strongly against a “driven hunt” taking place in Limpopo this week.

Hunters from around the world are taking part in this hunt which animal conservationists fear will lead to the massacre of hundreds of animals. The hunt is taking place at three game farms around Alldays.

According to the NSPCA, at least 18 animals were killed in Monday’s hunt including gemsbok, eland, wildebeest, warthogs, impala and duiker.

“A variety of wild animals including antelope, baboon and warthog are chased down a specially cleared 2km stretch of land into a wall of gunfire,” said Ainsley Hay, manager of the National Wildlife Protection Unit at the NSPCA.

“The animals have no chance of evading the onslaught and the hunters have no way of ensuring a clean shot or a humane death,” she added.

The NSPCA successfully obtained a warrant to gain access to the three farms over the next four days so that they can investigate what is taking place.

“We have sent a team to go to the farms to witness what’s happening… this has never happened here before, so we really want to see what’s going on,” Hay said.

“It is with sadness that we have to report that the hunt has continued despite the phenomenal public outcry opposing this,” the NSPCA said on their Facebook page on Monday night.

Driven hunting is not illegal, but, according to most animal conservationists and protectors, it is unethical and inhumane because a clean shot and certain death cannot be guaranteed.

“Not killing the animal outright, or with a second shot immediately, is certainly a contravention of the Animals Protection Act,” the NSPCA said.

Louw said BAT South Africa spoke to some of the hunters on Sunday and most were from Belgium and the Netherlands.

“They were so excited to slaughter these poor animals. This is a canned slaughter, it’s no hunt… the animals are chased by locals in bright overalls towards the hunters who sit on their chairs waiting for them,” Louw said.

She said her team had witnessed one of the three hunts that took place on Monday.

“Most take place deep inside the game farm, but this one happened close to the road where we were watching.

“We used sirens and hooters to warn the animals and encourage them to run.

“Two animals were shot during this run and that was while they were being distracted by us… we can’t imagine what went on during the other hunts.

“This is exploitation of our environment, nature and our animals,” Louw added.

As the Alldays driven hunt continued, an outcry of outrage and sorrow was heard from across the country.

Arabella Ara commented on Facebook: “I’ve not been this angry in a long... long time. Our hearts are shattered for these innocent animals.

“These are NOT humans! They are evil parasites with absolutely NO value for other living beings. These are not hunters – they are unethical scum,” she said.

Peter Jacobs said: “I wish nothing but pain and misery for each man and woman involved in this hunt! May your lives be filled with nothing but bad c*** from here on. I can honestly say I hate each ‘person’ that took part in this.”

Fiona Wegener commented: “It would be fascinating sport to watch hunters, without their guns, left in an enclosure with some wild starving animals... karma to each and all of you!”

But others on Facebook defended the actions.

Nico van der Westhuizen said: “All I can say is GET REAL! This is what pays for conservation! If you want some real trauma and TERROR, then go and visit your local abattoir.

“Better the managed culling/harvesting to benefit the whole. If you are not happy, then never eat meat again.

“If everybody stopped eating meat, there would be no demand and therefore no commercial value attached to any animal and the farmers would simply get rid of them.”

Marli Oosthuizen added: “You know hunting is not all bad right!?

“It actually helps with the overpopulation and the meat you need to get on your body.

“It helps the animals too.”

@lanc_02

The Star