WCape changes gintrap law

2008-11-19 19:03

Cape Town - Western Cape nature authorities have changed the provincial law governing the use of a sprung set of metal jaws with sharp steel teeth, known as a gintrap, to catch animals such as caracal and black-backed jackal.

While the use of gintraps by farmers to capture problem-causing animals in the province is not banned outright, the use of such devices will, from January 1 next year, require a permit, CapeNature said on Wednesday.

"And the chances of such a permit being issued are very slim," CapeNature wildlife programme manager, Jaco van Deventer, told Sapa.

In a statement earlier on Wednesday, Cape Nature said it had changed the annual Provincial Notice on Hunting, removing gintraps as an option.

"The changes... come amid growing consensus that the unselective use of current methods to manage damage-causing animals has been a major contributing factor to the escalating human-wildlife conflict, and has also resulted in the capture and often the subsequent death of many non-target species, such as honey badgers, black eagles and leopards."

CapeNature remained committed to helping farmers through the provision of training, information, support and advice regarding the management of damage-causing animals.

"CapeNature will only support methods which are humane, selective, ecologically acceptable, and legal in terms of current conservation legislation," it said.

Methods available to farmers conforming to these criteria included, among others, livestock guarding animals such as Anatolian and other herding dogs, as well as protective measures such as sheep collars.

"When these methods are applied correctly, in conjunction with proper habitat or veld management, losses can be greatly reduced," CapeNature said.

- SAPA