The Blood Lions organisation says that the discovery of a tiger cub at a residential property in Chase Valley in Pietermaritzburg recently highlights the highly unregulated nature of the captive predator industry.
This comes months after two lion cubs were found without a permit inside a residential property in the Dawncliffe area of Westville in Durban in May, resulting in police opening a criminal case.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo said on September 8, 2024, Ezemvelo’s honorary officers in Pietermaritzburg received reports of a tiger being illegally kept in an enclosure at a property in Northern Park.
Mntambo said when officers arrived at the property they discovered a male tiger, estimated to be between four and six months old. The animal was immediately confiscated.
“The tiger was taken to the Free Me Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for temporary care and rehabilitation. After securing the required permits, it was transported to the Pretoria Zoo on Thursday, 19 September 2024, where it will receive specialised care and long-term accommodation,” he said.
Mntambo said a case of the illegal possession of the tiger has been opened at the Townhill SAPS.
“Ezemvelo is committed to the enforcement of wildlife regulations and continues to work with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that such incidents are addressed swiftly and effectively,” said Mntambo.
The Blood Lions organisation said that over the past few days two separate incidents of illegal keeping and trade of wildlife, one involving lion cubs and another a tiger cub, were uncovered by various officials and organisations.
The organisation said the first incident was of lion cubs supposedly being marketed for sale on a WhatsApp group. “The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa is investigating a distressing complaint regarding the alleged keeping and sale of a litter of lion cubs by a Pretoria resident,” said Allan Perrins, a seasoned veterinarian for the Animal Welfare Society of SA.
Perrins said these lion cubs are being crudely marketed on a Pretoria WhatsApp Group for R35 000 per lion cub. “Thus far we can confirm that we know the alleged seller’s name and contact details.”
Blood Lions said in a separate incident that FreeMe Wildlife worked with the Hawks, the PMB Stock Theft Unit, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the SPCA Pietermaritzburg and the uMgeni SPCA to confiscate a tiger cub which was being kept in a small wire cage on a property in Pietermaritzburg.
“Blood Lions are extremely concerned by the lack of regard shown towards the predator cubs in these two incidents. This highlights once again the highly unregulated nature of the captive predator industry and the disregard for animal wellbeing. We look forward to learning more details about each case and hope that law enforcement takes the appropriate steps.”
After widespread public support and concern for the tiger cub, FreeMe Wildlife posted an update on the cub on social media on Monday.
“The support for this little tiger cub has been overwhelming and very touching. There has been a lot of concern about the future of this cub, so we hope that sharing its present state will help set minds at ease.”
FreeMe Wildlife said the cub is now under the direct protection of the highest conservation body in this country, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE ).
“The cub is being kept at the highest security facility under their control, the Pretoria Zoological Gardens. While this cub remains evidence in an ongoing court case, it must remain in the custody of the DFFE and cannot, for its own safety, be released to a private sanctuary. The future of the cub will only be decided once the outcome of the court case is final.”
The organisation said it would not support the rescue of an animal from the illegal wildlife trade only to see it become part of it again. “We are working closely with, and support, the wildlife authorities of this province, and this country.”
The Mercury