Lions‚ tigers‚ crocodiles poisoned in Limpopo‚ feet and heads removed

30 September 2016 - 18:42 By Roxanne Henderson

Limpopo police have confirmed the grisly killings of more than 20 animals‚ including lions‚ tigers and crocodiles‚ in the province. In most cases the heads and feet of the big cats were removed after they had been poisoned.Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Ronel Otto said 11 crocodiles were found dead along the river in the Letsitele area.“All the animals were allegedly poisoned‚” she said.In a Facebook post the Crime Intelligence & Community Awareness group said the feet and heads of the crocodiles had also been cut off (warning: graphic images on page).Provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has appealed to game farms owners to beef up security wildlife i the wake of the killings.Police said that during September two tigers and a number of lions in the areas of Groblersdal‚ Roedtan and Mookgophong (formerly known as Naboomspruit) had been killed.Endangered Wildlife Trust conservationist Kelly Marnewick said that she could not comment on the crocodile killings‚ but said that the deaths of the lions and tigers could be linked to the umuthi trade.“If heads‚ feet and tails were removed then there is likely a link to either Chinese traditional medicine or muthi trade.”Chris Galliers‚ of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa‚ said the number of poisoning incidents seen recently is of great concern.“Many of these incidents have been in Limpopo. It needs to be established what poison was used but it is likely to be an illegal product. If any parts of the animal are consumed it could have negative impacts as a result of the unmetabolised poison.“Demand for these species is likely to be from foreign sources. Greater effort needs to be put in on reducing this growing threat as a silent killer whose effects are devastating.”No arrests have been made. – TMG Digital..

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