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Addo offers R10 000 reward for info on Jackal poisoning

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Addo Elephant National Park is offering a reward of R10 000 for information which may lead to the successful prosecution of the person/s responsible for the poisoning of 36 jackals and two crows in the Park.

Earlier this week a toxicology report by the ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute outside Pretoria confirmed that the animals succumbed to the poisonous carbamate pesticide “methomyl”. There were also unconfirmed reports that two bat-eared foxes were affected. It is possible that scavengers removed these two carcasses reported to park staff by guests before they could be tracked down.

Conservation staff members are still combing the park for any further carcasses and any trace of the substance. The toxin can take up to 90 days to break down, and as such there may still be some present in the park, which could lead to further deaths. The most recent carcass was found on Monday 18 August, more than a week after the initial report on Sunday 10 August.

SANParks’ Environmental Crime Investigation (ECI) unit is investigating the matter. A charge relating to the Protected Areas Act – Discarding toxic chemicals or biocides in a national park – has been opened with the police.

AENP is the third largest national park and is home to the Big Five, including over 600 elephant. Jackals play an important role in the park in terms of restoring the natural ecological processes through predation as a key means of conserving biodiversity.

The reward will only be paid out upon a successful prosecution, not merely an arrest. Any person with information is requested to contact the Park’s Conservation Manager, John Adendorff, on (042) 233 8606 or 082 908 4160.

The poison used to kill the jackals,Methomyl, was introduced in 1966, but its use is restricted because of its high toxicity to humans. Its current primary use is on alfalfa for forage. A carbamate is an organic compound derived from carbamic acid.

Methomyl is an active ingredient in commercial fly bait granules which, according to reports has been mixed with a cola drink to kill bothersome raccoon, skunk and opossum.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.