Call To Stop ‘Drive Hunt’ Slaughter ‘Happening’ in South Africa

The Daily Telegraph – 14 September 2015

According to Carte Blanche TV, the final death toll from the Limpopo Driven hunt was 98 animals, but the species and suffering are still being assessed: Carte Blanche Driven Hunt Video

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Stop the Limpopo Driven Hunt Petition

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BAT reporting that today, 11 September, that some element of the Driven Hunt did occur on a neighbouring farm from yesterday’s attempt to kill – Hopefully, there was  NSPCA inspectors taking evidence again today under warrant authority. Then, it’s believed some of the ‘hunting party’ exited via a helicopter to fly out of the region, perhaps for onwards flights home (the majority of the party originating from The Netherlands and Belgium). We might see some local press ‘reception’ articles emerging and the ‘home-coming’ atmosphere. I have asked BAT to summarise how many animals departed this earth thanks to this ‘hunting party’s’ week of “entertainment,” plus a private aside of their assessment of evidence gathered for future use. We await an update from the NSPCA.

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Update 10 September – The NSPCA been back in court, obtaining additional warrants to keep up inspections on all farms participating in the Limpopo Driven Hunt. The hunters’ advocate made ‘objections’ to the warrants issued, but this attempted riposte proved futile. Once the NSPCA was able to find the hunters’ location and enforce their right (under warrant) to have inspectors present, the hunt was abandoned for the day. I would suggest that the hunters/organisers fear that ‘evidence’ of animal abuse could be readily recorded and a legal redress for unnecessary animal suffering formed into an argument for formal, retrospective legal action against all those involved in the ‘Driven Hunt.’ At IWB, we fully support all the actions that the NSPCA has taken (along with Ban Animal Trading and Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation) and are grateful for their joint, brave and determined stance!

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NSPCA Update, 9 September 2015 – “Half of our team was obstructed by the farm manager today. They were denied access to the farm, this is in breach of our warrant. Due to this we obtained SAPS (South African Police Service) assistance with enforcing the warrant at the farm. When we arrived back at the farm with the SAPS the beaters were sent home and the hunt cancelled for the day because the hunt organisers did not want us filming the hunt. The hunt will continue tomorrow and we will enforce the warrant and film the hunt.”

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Daily Mail – “Outrage in South Africa” Article – (8 Sept 2014)

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LEDET’s Statement – 8 September 2015 – Of course, LEDET have found the entire ‘Driven Hunt’ to be beyond reproach.

The “issuing of hunting permits” sound like LEDET’s clear admission of a vested interest in deriving income from what shall we call it, a ‘morally dubious source.’ There is nothing ‘necessary’ about a ‘Driven Hunt’ apart from the corrupting lure of income. As I said before, LEDET’s posture embarrasses Limpopo, South Africa and anyone that cares even remotely about ‘real’ animal welfare. If the excuse is that the ‘Driven Hunt’ provides meat to the local community, then of course this could (if necessary) alternatively be managed in a methodical, selective, humane and commercial manner that does not involve taking ‘bribes’ from amateur ‘hunting enthusiasts.’

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“Hiding their faces in shame at today’s Limpopo Driven Hunt?” – 8 Sept 2015

Pictures courtesy of Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation

LEDET Statement, 7 September 2015

Enq.: Matome Simon – +27 79 887 9680

 

“The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism is aware of the “Alldays Driven Hunt”. The department promotes responsible hunting conducted within the parameters of applicable legislation in a manner which protects and promotes sustainable utilization of wildlife.

The department has deployed Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI) to investigate the alleged planned “driven hunt”.

A detailed statement will be issued after the full investigation.”

For enquiries:

Simon Matome – Head of Communications

[email protected]

In an e-mail from the NSPCA this morning (8 September 2015), I was told “Our inspectors have obtained a warrant and will be on the property for the next 4 days……..only when an animal is left to suffer from being wounded during a hunt and the animal is not killed ASAP does this become a contravention of the Animals Protection Act.”

So NSPCA are bravely gathering evidence and that will form a key part of future legal action.

Here are some pictures of the so-called ‘hunters’ taking part in today’s (7 September 2015) ‘Driven Hunt’ (courtesy of Ban Animal Trading’s (BAT) team, who are there in ‘harms way’ right now trying to get the full story out).

 

Bad News – Ban Animal Trading sadly reports today:

“UPDATE 6 – ALLDAYS DRIVEN HUNT MASSACRE LIMPOPO.

A devastating update sent with gun shot ringing in our ears.

Sorry Team BAT have to report the MASSACRE is underway.

The ‘Drivers’ are driving these terrified Wild Animals out of the bush and down a specially cleared 2 km stretch of land where 600 platforms have been erected for these lazy BLOOD THIRSTY hunters to sit and shoot.

We have megaphones and are shouting, we have siren’s on loudspeakers and nothing will stop these MURDERERS who have no heart, no compassion and are made up of pure evil.

Words fail us right now and we have no idea how this can be allowed in our beautiful country.

We urge everyone to share our posts to every media channel they can think of, radio, TV everyone who can help us highlight this MASSACRE of our Wildlife.

This is one very sad day in Africa.

Our Prayers are for our innocent Wild Animals who have always only ever made us as South Africans proud.

Kind Regards from a devastated Team BAT.”

Latest: #DrivenHunt Should Driven Hunt be outlawed poll? 88% Yes! Carte Blanche, SA TV station,7pm tonight, http://carteblanche.dstv.com 

The NSPCA facebook page reports that on 7 Sept, a ‘Drive’ or ‘Driven’ Hunt will herd wild animals, such as antelope, baboon and warthog into a 2km stretch of land on three game farms in Limpopo, just outside of Alldays.

Alldays is a small town in the Limpopo province of South Africa, that serves a large area of private game and hunting farms.

Foreign ‘hunters’ will mass for a week’s ‘entertainment’ where they will be able to stand on platforms and fire a hail of bullets at the ‘Driven’ herds.

A ‘Drive Hunt’ is clearly unethical, inhumane and potentially illegal because it risks:

1. A random animal victim – young, old, pregnant etc. will all be herded and slaughtered in a hail of bullets;
2. No clean kill is guaranteed – there will be multiple animal victims half dead, living out their last hours on earth in bewilderment and agony thanks to this ‘Drive Hunt;’
3. All animals are ‘sentient beings’ having emotions, feelings and are conscious of their own plight and the plight of those around them;
4. Any animal victim killed/injured by such wanton action in a ‘Drive Hunt’ is clearly a contravention of any Animal Protection Act. Such action could be redressed by legal action against Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs, plus those that it permits to participate in a ‘Drive Hunt.’

The  NSPCA has urged those that ‘care’ to contact the Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs (e-mail [email protected], or LEDET Facebook Page). Please make a polite (and polite, means polite please, or it could have the opposite effect) plea to abandon the ‘Drive Hunt’ on ethical grounds.

There are plenty of arguments to make against this ‘Drive Hunt,’ particularly in the light of the ‘sensitivity’ (outrage!) of Cecil’s murder, with the potential negative impact on South Africa’s reputation as an ‘ethical’ tourist destination if this Limpopo ‘Drive Hunt’ is permitted to proceed on South African soil.

There is no evidence (yet, but might be used as an excuse) that this ‘Drive Hunt’ is part of a cull to manage herd numbers, but even if it was, a cull should of course be done in a professional, methodical and scientific manner (not a ‘Drive Hunt’s’ mass murder).

NOTES:

Note 1 – Surely under section 2(1)(a) and (r) the Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs is in breach of the ANIMALS PROTECTION ACT 71 OF 1962 with its ‘Driven Hunt’ –

“[a71y 1962s2]2

Offences in respect of animals

(1) Any person who:

(a)overloads, overdrives, overrides, ill-treats, neglects, infuriates tortures or maims or cruelly beats, kicks, goads terrifies any animal;

(r)by wantonly or unreasonably or negligently doing or omitting to do any act or causing or procuring the commission or omission of any act, causes any unnecessary suffering to any animal;”

Note 2 – The National Council of SPCAs NSPCA (NSPCS Website) was founded in 1955 as the Federation of SPCAs to provide a forum to bring uniformity to welfare legislation and standards. The SPCAs in South Africa are governed by the SPCA Act 169 of 1993 which is administered by the NSPCA, constituting us as a statutory body. Inspectors are authorised in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and the Performing Animals Protection Act No. 24 of 1935 with the SPCA movement collectively undertaking over 90% of all animal welfare investigations and prosecutions in South Africa.

IWB’s E-mail to Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs

To: [email protected]

bcc: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

4 September 2015

7 Sept ‘Drive Hunt’ – Reputational Risk

FAO Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs,

It has been brought to our attention at IWB (International Wildlife Bond, a UK based animal welfare charity), that on the 7 September 2015 there is a ‘Drive Hunt’ planned in Limpopo on three game farms, just outside of Alldays.

I understand that this ‘Drive Hunt’ will consist of herding antelope, baboon and warthog into a 2km stretch of land, to be bombarded by a merciless hail of hunters’ gunfire. That hardly seems ‘sporting’ or ‘ethical’ to us here at IWB and a potential public relations disaster for South Africa’s general tourism income.

We believe that this ‘Drive Hunt’ is being laid on as ‘entertainment’ for foreign hunters seeking self-gratification in the taking of animal lives.

If the reason for the ‘Drive Hunt’ is to control herd numbers, then why can’t this be done by professionals in a humane, methodical and ethical manner?

If the reason for the ‘Drive Hunt’ is purely to derive the dubious income from the mass slaughter of innocent creatures, then what does that say about Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs to the rest of the world?

Or indeed, what does it say about South Africa as a destination for general tourists only interested in shooting photographs of the great South African scenery and wildlife?

The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated 2012 tourism income for South Africa at ZAR102bn (£5.5bn, or $8.58bn USD), employing 10.3% of the population and making up 2.3% of South Africa’s GDP. In comparison, South Africa’s hunting income ($112m USD) is only a fraction of general tourism revenues, with hunting revenue making up less than 0.02% of South Africa’s GDP (or Trophy Hunting is only around 1.2% of tourism revenue).

Does South Africa (and Limpopo) really want to put the massive general tourism income as risk to satisfy the blood lust of a few foreign hunters?  I for one (and perhaps others) will boycott a tourist visit to South Africa until such barbarous ‘Drive Hunts’ are abolished as a relic of a bygone era. In general ‘mankind’ has surely evolved past the primitive (and immoral) pleasure taken from torturing and killing wildlife for ‘entertainment’ hasn’t it?

Pandering to the blood lust of the foreign hunters is a sad reflection on your organisation, South Africa and a regrettable element of today’s society.

On behalf of IWB and those that seek a ‘better way’ to care for and manage the planet’s Animal Kingdom, IWB respectfully asks you to search your conscience and permanently abolish the ‘Drive Hunt’ and adopt more ethical animal welfare policies.

A ‘Drive Hunt’ is clearly unethical, inhumane and potentially illegal because it risks:

1. A random animal victim – young, old, pregnant etc. will all be herded and slaughtered in a hail of bullets;
2. No clean kill is guaranteed – there will be multiple animal victims half dead, living out their last hours on earth in bewilderment and agony thanks to this ‘Drive Hunt;’
3. All animals are ‘sentient beings’ (like you) having emotions, feelings and are conscious of their own plight and the plight of those around them;
4. Any animal victim killed/injured by such wanton action in a ‘Drive Hunt’ is clearly a contravention of any Animal Protection Act. Such action could be redressed by legal action against Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs, pus those that it permits to participate in a ‘Drive Hunt.’ IWB’s lawyers will be looking into this as a matter of urgency:

Surely under section 2(1)(a) and (r) the Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs is in breach of the ANIMALS PROTECTION ACT 71 OF 1962:

“[a71y 1962s2]2

Offences in respect of animals

1. Any person who:

(a)overloads, overdrives, overrides, ill-treats, neglects, infuriates tortures or maims or cruelly beats, kicks, goads terrifies any animal;

(r)by wantonly or unreasonably or negligently doing or omitting to do any act or causing or procuring the commission or omission of any act, causes any unnecessary suffering to any animal;”

Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs still has time to reconsider and do the right thing – just try to imagine for one moment how you would feel as one of the intended animal ‘Drive Hunt’ victims being herded to the massed guns on 7 September?

Thank you for reading this heartfelt plea on behalf of IWB to stop the barbaric slaughter (for all time) and protect Limpopo’s and South Africa’s reputation as a good and more importantly, an ‘ethical’ general tourist destination.

International Wildlife Bond

 

www.iwbond.org