The City of Ekurhuleni recently held an auction at Bokkie Park where hundreds of the metro’s nature reserve excess animals were sold to bidders.
The auction attracted dozens of people, who according to the metro are farmers. The said farmers are also expected to keep the purchased animals for breeding purposes.
The sold livestock consists of 20 sheep, 35 goats, 70 pigs, six ostriches, 150 geese and 20 chickens. It’s not yet revealed as to how much money was raised through the livestock auction.
Boksburg SPCA representatives were also at the event to monitor the situation. Speaking to the Advertiser, Boksburg SPCA manager Vicky Finnemore said they have not picked up anything untoward. However, she stated that they would keep an eye out for any improper conduct when the animals were transported to different destinations.
According to the metro, the decision to sell some of these animals came after a successful breeding programme. Keeping the excess livestock was deemed not viable.
Following the metro’s announcement that it was planning to sell its excess livestock, lovers took to social media to raise their concerns about the future of the animals.
Some were concerned that the animals would be destined for the butcher market or be slaughtered for many other purposes. Others even questioned the decision to sell, suggesting that those animals should have been donated to sanctuaries.
The City immediately reacted to the raised concerns and assured residents that the animals put up for auction would be sold to professional registered farmers.
“The City considered donating the livestock to other animal sanctuaries, but most sanctuaries are under tremendous financial constraints,” explained metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
“Maintaining these spaces (metro animal reserves) costs money and the City has to find ways of subsidising the maintenance costs of these facilities. Forms of income include entrance fees, renting out of lapas, hosting open-air events, as well as breeding and selling of livestock,” added Dlamini.
Also Read: Metro aware of residents’ concerns over planned auction of City’s livestock
