The fight for justice continues today as a well-known poacher is set to receive his sentencing after being found guilty on 13 counts; wildlife vets played a vital role in bringing this man to justice!
Johannesburg, South Africa (11 July 2023) – Two veterinarians from the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital shared their expertise in a case against a renowned animal poacher recently. Their testimony related to what happens to these animals when they are removed from their natural habitat and sold for profit.
Dr K and Wendy Willson, are both well-versed in the plight of small animals arriving at the wildlife hospital, and shared their knowledge in the hopes of finally putting a repeat offender behind bars. Thanks to their input, the Magistrate, Mr M Pienaar, passed down guilty verdicts on 13 counts of animal cruelty and illegal activities with protected wild animals. The accused is set to receive his sentencing today.
The accused is well known for poaching a multitude of different wild animal species, especially reptiles such as snakes, chameleons and tortoises and then selling the tortured animals at the intersection of the N14 and R24 in Tarlton, Johannesburg.
The animals reach our hospital after various interventions and often in a state of collapse – suffering from conditions such as dehydration, starvation, injury and disease from their extended traumatic ordeal with the poacher.
South Africa is one of the few African countries that has multiple laws in place to protect these animals from exploitation and cruelty, but a law is only as strong as its enforcement and, despite being incredibly important animals facing unprecedented threats to their population, this group of animals get very little attention in mainstream conservation and protection efforts. A vicious cycle is created – little to no risk of detection, prosecution or punishment for these crimes has resulted in rampant illegal behaviour and cruelty contraventions pertaining to our indigenous reptiles being rife. By continuing to ignore crimes against these animals we reinforce a societal belief that these animals are either not in any danger or not worth protecting.
In a joint initiative with Friends of Rescued Animals (FORA), we undertook to change this state of play and embark on an 18 MONTH long battle to bring this blatantly open re-offender to justice.
A docket covering 7 different instances of contravention the Animals Protection Act and the Gauteng Nature Conservation Ordinances was compiled and opened despite ongoing opposition from local law enforcement.”
The challenges faced will all prove to be worthy when justice is finally served! One can only hope it will be swift and fair. Stay tuned to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital for an update shortly.
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