The use of poison to kill rodents and insects has a detrimental impact on the natural world. Animals or bugs that are poisoned may not die immediately and behave strangely after consuming or being exposed to the poison.
This in turn makes them easy prey for predators, which then results in secondary poisoning. The threat to life is not just in animals but to humans too.
The Helderberg Wildlife Rescue took to social media to express their frustration over the lack of understanding around the impact poisoning has on the ecosystem. Over two weeks, a team from the organisation have tended to 17 secondary poisonings.
‘It seems like no matter how many posts we make about not putting down any poison, there are still ignorant, selfish, cruel and heartless people, not giving a damn, that put down poison,’ said the organisation on Facebook.
The statement continued in saying that there is no such thing as eco-friendly poisoning.
‘It causes massive ecological disasters and kills anything that ingested the poison, whether it be the intended animal, or secondary poisoning from some animal eating the poisoned animal/insects. The organisation pleaded for people to stop using poison and to consider the brutality of it.
‘There are many other solutions. Nevermind the heartache we go through when trying to save them, and they die in your arms, but how do you think you would suffer, and be in incredible pain from poison dissolving your intestinal organs while you lay there, not being able to do anything. Think about that before putting down poison, and I mean really think about it,’ the statement said.
If you are in a position to help the Heldeberg Wildlife Rescue in their efforts, such as fuel costs, animal food supplies, vet bills and aftercare expenses then you can do so via EFT with the following details:
Helderberg Wildlife Rescue
Capitec Bank
Savings account
1672019255
Or via the PayPal account which is under [email protected]
Picture: Facebook/ Helderberg Wildlife Rescue