A cruel, slow death trap

Roughly 30 to 40 snares are laid per day per poacher in the North Coast’s green belts, injuring and painfully killing innocent animals.

About two animals a day are caught in a snare on the farms and natural bush around Rain Farm Game and Lodge area alone. This is what one of the caught poachers told the Rain Farm’s general manager, Cara McDaniel.

“While we have not had any poaching here because of our strict security, there are many poachers around our farm. Poachers target bigger animals, to gain more meat. This is then sold as “cheap meat” at local meat markets, which are often at the same sites where the public collects their pensions.”

She said mainly bush pig, buck and blue duiker are caught, although smaller animals such as mongoose often get stuck in the snares too.

Her brother, Hylton Nidd has been aggressively targeting this issue on their land and said this form of hunting is very inefficient.

“A snare does not necessarily capture and instantly kill an animal. Poachers often fail to remember and check all of their snares on a regular basis, leaving many animals to die an unnecessary, slow, painful death, after struggling for hours all to sit and rot away. Those who manage to get away often have the snare left on them,” said Nidd.

“These poachers are not just going in and hunting this meat as and when they need it for food in a sustainable way. They are taking on average two or more animals a day and each time they enter the bush to check their snares, they set up more.”

Mount Moreland resident, Donné Rens Dunbar said on the North Coast Courier Facebook page that snare hunting is a huge problem in their area.

“We actually go on a “snare hunt” every two months and we find between five and 20 snares at a time. We have also lost many of our dogs to snares,” said Dunbar.

South Coast based environmentalist Ashley Brauteseth said the carcasses attract larger animals – predators.

“These predators, which unfortunately will also get caught up in the snares, are a far greater loss. We have fewer predators than prey. Snares alone will contribute and become part of a cumulative set of impacts, which will have a greater negative significance on the eco system,” said Brauteseth.

Ezemvelo KZN WIldlife district conservation officer for KwaDukuza, Vuzi Gumbi, has removed many snares on the Dolphin Coast and said people need to act fast when they see one.

“Poachers move quickly, so when you see a snare, do not waste time. Inform the land owner or manager of the snares and contact me on 072 316 6716,” said Gumbi.

The Rain Farm will be having regular snare sweeps with rangers in the area and would like the community to volunteer to join them in this ongoing battle.

“Every snare less, saves an animal. Join us on these walks and help rid our green belts of these illegal, cruel snares,” said McDaniel.

To get involved, send an email to info@rainfarm.co.za or contact 032-8151050.

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