2 of Polokwane’s rhinos die in Bela-Bela safe sanctuary
Concerns grow after two of the city's rhinos died in a Bela Bela sanctuary with findings pointing to poor diet and questions over ratepayer costs.
POLOKWANE – Questions are raised after it was disclosed during the recent meeting of the Polokwane Municipal Council that two of the 10 white rhinos that have been safeguarded in a sanctuary outside Bela-Bela since May 2017, died within the span of three weeks in April this year.
The rhinos are endangered species under the International Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and were relocated to the place of safety after some of the rhinos in the local game reserve were killed by poachers.
You might also want to read: Fate of Polokwane’s rhinos a matter of tight secrecy
The deaths, confirmed through post-mortem reports, have sparked questions about the cost of the sanctuary contract, the living conditions of the rhinos, and whether more could have been done to prevent the loss.
An oversight visit by DA councillor Mariëtte Pretorius revealed troubling details, including sand and wire found in the rhinos’ digestive systems, raising concerns about their diet and care.
The municipality spends more than R60 000 every month to safeguard the endangered animals, but the DA argues that the arrangement comes at a high cost to ratepayers with little benefit.
Read more: Undecided future of Polokwane’s rhinos still a burden to taxpayers
Calls have been made for an independent investigation into the matter and for clarity on the future of the remaining rhinos.
Read the full story with detailed findings from an oversight visit in this week’s Polokwane Observer.
