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CAPENATURE STATEMENT REGARDING DAMAGE-CAUSING ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

CapeNature, the nature conservation authority in the Western Cape, hereby wishes to make the following statement.

Historically, various methods, such as gin traps, night hunting, etc., were listed in the annual Provincial Notice as a method to manage certain damage-causing animals in the Western Cape Province, such as caracal and black-backed jackal.

However, these methods, particularly gin traps, are unselective and inhumane, and the use thereof has resulted in the capture and often the subsequent death of many non-target species, such as honey badgers, black eagles and leopards. Furthermore, the unselective killing of damage-causing animals, including the use of spotlights and call devices, has never been a long term solution to counter the losses of livestock attributed to them. More often than not the wanton removal of damage-causing animals simply contributes to further loss in biodiversity and, in many instances, results in increased livestock or crop losses. This is due to the fact that animals dispersing from adjacent areas will fill the vacuum created by the unselective removal of damage-causing animals.

CapeNature will only support methods which are:

humane,
selective,
ecologically acceptable, and
legal in terms of current conservation legislation.

It is a fact that there are many methods available to farmers which conform to the above-mentioned criteria. When these methods are applied correctly, in conjunction with proper habitat or veld management, losses are greatly reduced.

CapeNature, in supporting and promoting an holistic approach to the management of damage-causing animals, can no longer condone any methods that do not conform to the above-mentioned criteria. CapeNature has therefore decided not to list any method which does not conform to said criteria in any future annual Provincial Notice. This effectively means that certain methods, such as gin traps and night-hunting, may no longer be used as methods to manage damage-causing animals in the Western Cape Province.

CapeNature remains committed to assisting producers/farmers through the provision of training, information, support and advice regarding the management of damage-causing animals.