Wildlife confiscated from Ballito guest house
"We urge people to contact us first before trying to keep wild animals as pets," - Vusi Gumbi
A mongoose and meerkat kept as pets were confiscated from a guest house in Ballito Drive this afternoon.
After receiving a tip off Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife together with Umhlali SAPS officers confiscated the animals shortly before 1pm from Sibakwa Guest House.
The owners claimed to have a permit for the two animals, but as it was a temporary permit granted in Mpumalanga it was no longer valid.
Ezemvelo has opened a case against the owners for illegal possession of the animals.
“We urge people to contact us first before trying to keep wild animals as pets, as not only are they not suited for a domestic environment – they can also carry diseases,” said Ezemvelo’s Vusi Gumbi.
In what was apparently an emotional experience for everyone involved, the owners – who did not wish to be named – described to police how they had reared the two animals from the time they were babies.
The animals were taken to the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wild Animals (CROW) in Durban.
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