FOLLOW-UP: Benoni North AH Leopard may have escaped from a breeder
It came to light when the search for the animal began at around 5am today with the SPCA first to react and other organisations also being alerted as the hours passed.
The Benoni SPCA is investigating whether a male leopard cub which was darted in an outside laundry room at a private home in Hazel Road, Benoni North, at about lunchtime today (July 22) may have escaped from a breeder.
The first report about the escaped animal came into the Benoni SPCA at around 5am today, said manager Vicky Finnemore, adding it took their team the entire morning to track and contain the leopard.
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Staff from the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre were also on scene. Vanessa Davis, of the centre, said they got the first reports at around 7am and they immediately also started tracking the leopard.
“Not long after a second call from a member of the public, we found it,” Davis said.
“The cub is between five and six months old and in very good health.”
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The SPCA contacted Dr Clifford Bull, of the Craigview Veterinary Clinic, who is a wildlife specialist, to dart the leopard, which he did successfully.
Davis said the animal was moved to a large, safe enclosure where it will be monitored for a month or two.
She confirmed samples were taken from the leopard cub and it was given a veterinary check-up and found to be healthy and in good condition.
“The leopard is really young and once we are sure that he can hunt on his own we will release him,” said Davis.
“Laws pertaining to keeping this type of animal require specific permits related to threatened or protected species. Leopards are on the CITES 1 agenda, which means it is one of the more guarded animals and whoever is found without the correct permits is in for a hefty fine or jail time.
“If the public has information about other wild animals – leopards or lions – which are being kept illegally they should contact me so that we can follow up. Tigers do not require permits, however, as they are deemed as exotics so no permits are required, believe it or not.”
Davis can be contacted on 082 708 1228.
Anyone with information about where the leopard may have come from should contact the Benoni SPCA on 011 894 2814 as their team is heading up an investigation.
