Snares and hunting a growing concern in Roodepoort fields
A snare can be identified by the rudimentary use of wire, thin cable, nylon rope or anything similar that has been fashioned into a noose.
One often feels blessed to live in an area with wide-open spaces and an assortment of small wildlife.
Unfortunately, perhaps dictated by economic circumstance, there are those who prey on the small critters as a source of food. Even the common house cat is falling victim as the Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA has reported several cases of the family feline being caught in snares.
“Cats are disappearing more and more and we fear that this is the reason,” said SPCA manager Mandy Cattanach.
“People set these snares in the paths where animals walk through the veld. Grass and twigs are placed around the snare so the only gap is through the snare,” she explained.
Snares are not the only tactic used, as hunting in these fields is still common.
“A pack of approximately 15 to 20 dogs, any breed, are let loose in an open veld. They chase and kill any animal they find, from guinea fowl, duikers to domestic cats,” warned Mandy.
A snare can be identified by the rudimentary use of wire, thin cable, nylon rope or anything similar that has been fashioned into a noose. Both practices lead to painful and unnecessarily cruel deaths for the animals.
The nature reserves of Roodepoort and Krugersdorp are easily accessible and resources to monitor these vast open spaces are limited.
The Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA is asking that any members of the public who come across a snare while hiking, or notice a pack of dogs in a field, to please contact them immediately on 011 672 0448.
