Six snares recovered in Winkelspruit
Since the organisation was founded, a total of 910 snares have been removed, mostly from the Amanzimtoti area.
The Snare Aware team with members of CCPO ventured into a greenbelt in Winklespruit recently. This came after startling information was received about several cats from the area returning home with apparent snare injuries and others never returning.
“As with all areas that we tackle, we assess them remotely through reviewing satellite imagery and usually scout it with a driveby. This helps us assess any potential risks and develop a rough plan of action for the day. Considering the high number of vagrants and general criminality in this area, we partnered with CCPO to undertake a joint operation through this area. While we tackled poaching, the CCPO provided us with protection and undertook their operation to check for drugs, dealing and stolen property,” said a member of the organisation, who wished to remain anonymous.
The operations were a success and six snares were removed from the area.
“Most of them were old, buried, broken or in various forms of decay. This, combined with the numerous ligature marks on the trees, indicates that this was an area that had historically been heavily snared, without much recent activity.”
Since the organisation was founded, a total of 910 snares have been removed, mostly from the Amanzimtoti area.
In residential areas, cats and dogs often get stuck in snares that are intended to trap animals for either muthi or meat and they range from cane rats to antelopes. Once the metal snares are recovered they are sent to Down to the Wire, where they are repurposed into jewellery.
“We want to thank CCPO for their assistance and all the hard work they do to protect our area. It is these types of proactive operations that make the greater community a safer place.”
ALSO READ: Snare Aware grows Amanzimtoti indigenous forest
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