UPDATE: Horse poachers leave unborn foal to die
The remains of five Kaapsehoop horses were found in a forest near the town.
The remains of a stallion and three mares – one from Kaapsehoop Horse Trails – were discovered in the forest outside the town on Sunday, September 7, at around 06:30.
The horses had been reported missing days earlier.
Residents first noticed on September 2 that three horses from the town herd were unaccounted for and organised a search.
Four days later, the grim discovery was made about 200m into the forest, where the animals’ severed heads and hooves were found.
The unborn foal of one of the mares was also found among the remains.
ALSO READ: Kaapsehoop: Horse poaching alert
The Kaapsehoop Conservancy committee confirmed the news, leaving residents deeply shaken.
The stallion was known as Dennis, and one of the mares as Ruby.
ALSO READ: Police seek help identifying alleged poacher killed in KNP
The committee has engaged Lowveld Farm Watch and a private investigator, and, with support from Crime Assist, criminal cases are being opened. They have also asked the National SPCA to assist in laying charges against those responsible.
“Opening a case at the police is difficult since these are wild horses and we are not their legal owners. That is why we’ve sought the help of a private investigator,” explained Rod Alexander, chairperson of the committee.
According to Alexander, the wild horse numbers have been shrinking at an alarming rate over the last three years due to African horse sickness, road accidents, veld fires, and poaching – which has spiked in recent months.
“Veld fires and sickness are a force of nature, but poaching is not,” he said.
In a recent statement, the committee said they can only account for 28 horses, a distressingly low number.
The Kaapsehoop Conservancy, a registered NPO, has appealed to the public for donations to help protect the herd.
Contributions can be made to:
Kaapschehoop Conservancy
Absa Bank
Savings account: 9120619813
Branch code: 632 005
Reference: Save our horses
*The commitee asked Lowvelder not to share images of the horses’ remains due to the seriousness of the case and ongoing investigations.
