An animal rights group has reacted with great enthusiasm to the urgent interdict granted by the high court in Grahamstown to stop a planned hunt at Lalibela game reserve this weekend.
An animal rights group has reacted with great enthusiasm to the urgent interdict granted by the high court in Grahamstown to stop a planned hunt at Lalibela game reserve this weekend.
The hunt of a white rhino bull, two lions and a buffalo was planned for this weekend.
Outraged South African Citizens Against Poaching (Oscap) expressed joy at Judge Phakamisa Tshiki's decision to grant the interdict. Allison Thomson from Oscap said they were absolutely delighted with the decision by Tshiki to grant the interdict and stop these hunts.
"We understand the difficulties that ecotourism conservancies have with wildlife management, but hunting an animal is not the only alternative," she said.
In an emailed statement Thomson said they would like to applaud Tim Fenner of Kichaka Luxury Game Lodge for taking a stand on the issue.
"Tourists have the right to know what is happening on these reserves and have complained about their wildlife experience being ruined by the presence of hunters on conservancies."
Thomson said: "Kratos, the rhino, aptly named after the Greek god of strength and might now has a second chance."
Fenner was also thrilled with the outcome of the case. He said, "I and the Kichaka team are delighted with the verdict of the Court in granting the interdict to prevent the hunt our magnificent rhino, Kratos, and would like to thank the Judge, my legal team and all of the thousands of supporters who have backed me in this mission."
Fenner said at the end of the day, none of this should have been necessary.
"Nature Conservation should not have granted a permit; a hunter shouldn't have wanted to pay R1.2m to have one photo taken of him standing next to a slaughtered rhino.
"However, there are people out there who operate to a different agenda to normal, decent human beings and fortunately this time we have managed to foil them from achieving their objectives," he said.
Fenner said although this battle had been won, this was not the end of it. He said they would continue to fight against the needless slaughter of wildlife.
Tshiki interdicted the hunting of all game on Lalibela, except impala and warthog, pending the outcome of arbitration. Tshiki granted a draft order and said his reasons would follow at a later stage.
anele@grocotts.co.za
