Unusual find of Aardvarks in Secunda residential area

Not just one, but two aardvarks were recently found wandering around in the residential areas of Secunda.

One was found at a home in Krokodilrivier Street near Laerskool Kruinpark and the other at a house in Harding Street.

When responding to the call in the early hours of February 27, GTR’s Wesley Brits said it was unbelievable to see such a creature.

“I never thought one would find a wild animal such as this in town, especially here in Secunda,” said Brits.

He said it was the most amazing experience for him to see such wildlife up close and that it was the first time in his life to encounter an aardvark.

Well-known snake handler and local police officer, W/O Oosie Oosthuizen, with the help of Hein Alberts and the CPF, responded to the call from Brits.

She could not believe what she was seeing. It was also her first time to encounter an aardvark.

“This was one of two findings in two days. It is not known exactly from where they come, but we have since released them in Sasol’s game camp,” said W/O Oosthuizen.

She said it is not common to find such creatures here.

“It was a first for me and the first time of which I know that there have been such findings, especially in town.

“I was so shocked at what I was seeing. I could not believe it. It was one of the most interesting callouts I have had in years,” said W/O Oosthuizen.

Although the aardvark looks like an anteater, W/O Oosthuizen said there is a difference.

An anteater has smaller ears and a longer snout, whereas aardvark has longer ears (like bunnies) and a shorter snout and shorter hair.

“I also learnt a lot now about this species. I didn’t even know we had such species here,” said W/O Oosthuizen.

She said the aardvarks that were captured, were the sizes of a small pig.

After successfully capturing both aardvarks, W/O Oosthuizen and Alberts handed them over to ecologist Daan Loock from Sasol.

Loock supplied the cages and nets required to capture both animals.

Should you encounter such creatures, W/O Oosthuizen said residents should keep a close eye but remain at a distance as to not scare or bother them.

Try and close up any gates or entrances to ensure they are safe from any encounters with domestic animals.

“The aardvark also digs holes. They can dig a hole as deep as 1.2m within 30 seconds to a minute.

“Please do not harm them. Please call us if you encounter one. Do not attempt to capture them on your own,” said W/O Oosthuizen.

Speaking to the Ridge Times, Loock said that Sasol does have aardvarks in their game camp, however, aardvarks are wild animals and could have come from neighbouring farms or properties.

“Although they are very elusive, it does not mean they are not here.

“So yes, we don’t see them but there are aardvarks in the area, especially where there is quite a bit of sandy soil which is an ideal habitat for them,” said Loock.

He said that Secunda has been designed to have green strips all around and that these are ideal transition zone for wild animals to move through town.

This is the only link from the northern part of town to the southern part and is an ideal migration route.

“We have seen the same with our servals and some of our other animals that use these transition zones to migrate from one area to another,” explained Loock.

He said that although the aardvark is not known to be dangerous it can still scratch or even injure a human.

There are laws that protect such wildlife and prohibit the capturing of them.

“By law, you are not allowed to capture such wildlife without the proper permits.

“In this instance, we engage with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MPTA). Any normal person is not allowed to capture them without a permit,” concluded Loock.

Should you encounter such wildlife in residential areas, contact W/O Oosie Oosthuizen on 076 051 0710 or Hein Alberts on 082 291 5344 or contact the local Highveld Ridge SPCA on 082 222 1122 or 067 114 7206.