SANParks has appealed to visitors and communities in or near national parks to report illegal activities.
This comes after a Cape leopard was found dead in a snare in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
Snares are used to trap animals for poaching or bush meat, but often end up capturing and killing other, unwanted animals. The snare either wraps around the animal’s neck and restricts oxygen or it catches a part of their body and mortally wounds them.
‘Snares are illegal, inhumane and threaten the many terrestrial mammals and birds, listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red data list as either vulnerable or near threatened. The Cape Leopard is listed as near-threatened,’ said SANParks.
SANParks said they have seen an uptick in snares, with this being the second one found in the Garden Route area since the Parks increased foot patrols, its observation points and vehicle patrols in terrestrial areas.
Visitors to each park should note the number given to report any illegal activity in that park when they enter, or call the toll free SANParks line on 0800 000 221.
Image credit: SANParks
