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An increase in illegal selling of bush meat

According to Eugene Troskie of the Phalaborwa Natural Heritage Foundation (PNHF), the increase in the sale of bush meat from wildlife caught in snares is alarming.

Troskie says the PNHF is extremely concerned about animals caught in snares in the veld along the reserves of the Kruger National Park and then sold illegally as bush meat to local communities. The PNHF goes on snare clearing operations regularly and says large herbivores are targeted by poachers for their meat.

The meat harvested is sold to communities in various areas, especially in Lulekani, Selwane and Namakgale, among others. “Poachers also target carnivores such as hyena and lion for traditional medicine and for the international market,” Troskie explains. He says the market for bush meat is because it is priced cheaper than butcheries or supermarkets. He says besides affordability, it is not advisable to buy bush meat.

Also read: PNHF dedicated to serving animals and nature

“The conditions in which the meat is harvested are usually very unhygienic. “Consuming it can make you very ill. “The meat can contain diseases that can be transferred from animals to human beings,” he says. If a person is found in possession of bush meat without a license from a state veterinarian, they can be arrested.

Recently, PNHF, together with their partners, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, took their funders on a snare removal operation to demonstrate what they come across during snare removal operations. Troskie says the group was shocked at the size of the snares. He urges anyone with information on illegal bush sellers and poachers to contact the PNHF at 082 614 3688 or contact the SAPS endangered species unit.

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Anwen Mojela

Anwen Mojela is a journalist at the Letaba Herald. She graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology. Including an internship and freelancing, Anwen has four years’ experience in the field and has been a permanent name in the Herald for nearly three years. Anwen’s career highlights include a water corruption investigative story when she was an intern and delving into wildlife and nature conservation. “I became a journalist mainly to be the voice of the voiceless, especially working for a community newspaper. Helping with the bit that I can, makes choosing journalism worth it.

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