Illegally kept reptiles confiscated by department of environment
Jan van Rooyen, known as 'Jan Slang' by residents, received an unexpected phone call that left him speechless on the morning of Friday, May 8.
LOUIS TRICHARDT – Jan van Rooyen, known as ‘Jan Slang’ by residents, received an unexpected phone call that left him speechless on the morning of Friday, May 8.
“Before the phone call, a man from the department of environment stopped at my house and said he had received a complaint about me keeping reptiles illegally. I was shocked, as I did have reptiles but I was not keeping them. Taking care of them, yes, but not keeping them as pets,” Van Rooyen explained.
The visit was followed up by the phone call, which was from the department requesting him to report to the Levubu police station.
“I went to the police station after work and was told by the man that the department was opening a case for illegally keeping reptiles on my property. The police also know me as I have helped them numerous times to catch snakes. The police official on duty also explained this to the man, but he did not want to listen. He gave me a letter and said that I was not allowed to let any of the reptiles go until they returned,” Van Rooyen said.
“I have been working with reptiles for more than 28 years. I love reptiles and to learn more about them and their habitats. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a passion. I would rather go and catch the reptiles before someone kills them. If they are hurt I nurse them back to health and then I release them. I have tried getting permits for the reptiles, but the department is not very helpful and I was told that I would not be able to get a permit,” Van Rooyen said.
Ten days later, on Monday, May 18, Van Rooyen was heartbroken when the department arrived at his home again, this time to take the reptiles away.
“They took a small cobra that I caught in Thohoyandou the Thursday before they came to my house the first time. They also took two mambas that I caught in Louis Trichardt and was going to let them go when I found the right spot. Another mamba was still sick and on medication so I couldn’t let him go yet. Then they also took the crocodile, which would have been released as soon as his medication was finished. I don’t charge for catching snakes, I do it because I do not want to see them get hurt. I buy the medicine out of my own pocket,” Van Rooyen said.
By the time of going to print, the department had not responded to Review’s request for comment.
According to the Limpopo Environmental Management Act, no 7 of 2003, the responsibility of the department of environmental affairs is to see to the wellbeing of the wildlife and to control the captive keeping of any wild animal. One of the methods in controlling this activity is by means of legislation.
Even if you have bought the animal legally, you only have the rights entrusted to you by the specific legislation – in the form of permits. Permits are required for the keeping of various species and are only granted on prior written application and on the merits of each case if captive keeping requirements set by the department are met.
In the legislation, ‘keep’ in relation to a live wild or alien animal means to:
• Possess or keep in captivity or custody a live wild or alien animal.
• Supervise and control in any way whatsoever and by whatever means, a live wild or alien animal in order to discourage its natural behaviour.
• Restrict the movement or flight of a live wild or alien animal.
A permit is required to keep all indigenous reptiles such as chameleons, tortoises and snakes; only the two leguan species are excluded, and all exotic, alien, foreign snake species.
The rearing of a young animal or the treatment of an injured animal in such a way that it can be released back into the wild is a specialised process and needs to be done by a registered and experienced rehabilitation centre.
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