Impala Park tiger owners are not breaking the law
According to the Boksburg SPCA, it is not against the law to keep these animals as pets.
While the owner of a crèche in Impala Park says she fears for the lives of the children in their care as neighbouring
property owners have two tigers, it is not against the law to keep these animals as pets.
Local authorities indicate that although the practice may be upsetting to many, they are therefore not able to act
against people keeping wild animals at home.
Spokesperson Zweli Dlamin elaborated on the City of Ekhuruleni’s position.
“Although the metro strongly condemns the keeping of exotic animals as pets, especially dangerous animals
like tigers, there is nothing the city can do. The city’s by-laws and policies protect our indigenous fauna and flora. The import, breeding, keeping and trade of exotic animals as pets is regulated by provincial and national legislation. These laws, however, do not criminalise keeping wild animals as pets. The NSPCA executes the Animals Protection Act. This body can only react if there are signs of animals abuse or any other form of animal cruelty. Current provincial legislation in Gauteng allows for exotic animals to be kept as pets in built-up areas,” Dlamini said.
Images of a tiger looking over a wall surfaced on social media last week and in response the Boksburg SPCA visited the premises on September 28.
Manager Vicky Finnemore said they found the tigers were in good condition, although questioned whether
their enclosure was adequately secure. “Our hands are tied,” Finnemore said.
She explained that owning a tiger as a pet is legal and owners don’t need permits to keep these wild animals, but
they need to have a permit for transportation.
“Transportation permits are to transport the animal, for instance, if they want to take it to the vet or anywhere for any reason.” Finnemore added the SPCA does not support the keeping of any wild animals as pets.
According to the owner of the crèche, who asked to remain anonymous, she noticed one of the tigers looking over the wall on September 23.
“I got the shock of my life. We have been running the early childhood development centre here for quite some
time but were not aware there are tigers in the neighbourhood. We feel the children’s lives are in danger as the property perimeter is not high enough to prevent the animals from jumping over,” she alleged.
“We can’t allow someone’s child to get injured on our watch,” she said, indicating that authorities should look into the matter and if anything is to be rectified, oversee it.
The crèche owner believes the tigers could endanger not only the children but anyone in the general vicinity.
“There are about four ECD centres and an old age home close to this property,” she
said.
Global animal welfare organisation Four Paws commented that they were alerted to tigers being housed in a suburb in Boksburg by concerned supporters of their organisation.
“The images of the tigers on social media are appalling, but we shouldn’t be shocked by them because there are
many tigers housed in many suburbs in South Africa. Tigers have very little protection under South African law, despite being considered an endangered species. We are willing to aid the authorities to help find a suitable home for these tigers,” Fiona Miles, director of Four Paws, said.
Miles said it is estimated that there are around 1 500 tigers in captivity in South Africa and fewer than 4 000 remaining in the wild.
“Many tigers are kept as pets for reasons such as social media exposure. Despite being hand-reared and appearing playful, the cats are still wild animals. They are still sentient predators and keeping them in these conditions is hugely exploitative. Exercise and socialisation with other animals of their species are not available to
them.”
She added that if adequate safety and security measures are not taken by people keeping tigers at home as pets, the animals could pose a danger to others.
Also Read: No action can be taken: Fury as tiger is kept as a pet
The Advertiser visited the home of the owners in Impala Park on September 29 but was turned away and requested to deal with their lawyers, Tuckers Incorporated.
“Our clients have complied with all regulations in Gauteng regarding the keeping of exotic animals on their premises and as such there is nothing that precludes our clients from having the wild animals (sic) on their
property,” the firm indicated in a letter to the Advertiser on October 1.
They demanded that the publication cease and desist from contacting their clients regarding the story.
Also Read: CAGED: Boksburg tiger owner refuses to hand animal over to Lion’s Rock
