SPCA explains what happened with the nyala from Roodepoort

Residents surrounding the Len Rutter Park, Roodepoort were left shocked after seeing a nyala running around the area on 24 February.

It seems the animal had done a bit of exploring in the Roodepoort area before it was seen in the parkrun park, because it was first spotted in Wilgeheuwel 12 days earlier by EC Security members who chased it into the greenbelt.

Concerned residents were anxious to get help to the animal as soon as possible and reported the nyala several times. Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA inspectors, Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI), Florida Police and their K9 unit responded in an attempt to capture the animal safely, with the SPCA tracking its movements since late that morning.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst when the nyala was struck by a car while running along Golf Club Terrace. Witnesses immediately noticed injuries to the nyala’s hind leg, but it still managed to get up and run away before eventually collapsing on Deslin Avenue.

The SPCA manager, Mandy Cattanach, said they had been wary to approach the animal earlier in the day as they did not want to scare it away, but after it was injured, it allowed the inspectors to get close to it. The nyala was very weak, blood was pouring out its nose, it suffered severe internal bleeding and the condition of its leg showed that it had also suffered a fractured pelvis. EMI and the SPCA ultimately decided that euthanasia would be the best option, as it is nearly impossible to save a wild animal with internal injuries.

Mandy explained that a marksman from Nature Conservation fired a shot to the nyala’s head, killing it instantly. One of the SPCA inspectors walked up to the animal and fired a second shot, not because the first one had missed (as residents speculated), but to ensure that the nyala was in fact out of its misery.

“Euthanising an animal is never a pleasant task, but when we have to do it, we make sure there is not even the slightest chance of that animal still being alive,” said Mandy. Typical procedure for euthanising a large animal is to slit its throat after it has been shot and let it bleed out, but the number of witnesses led to the decision that a second shot would be the best option as they did not want to upset the public any further.

Mandy stated that Nature Conservation then took the carcass to a local Lion Park, to be used as food. It is still unclear where the nyala may have come from. EMI as well as the National Police spokesperson were contacted for comment, but by the time of publication, none had been received.