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CONSERVATIONISTS BACK TAHR CULLING PROGRAMME
By
Melanie Gosling
August 8, 2004
 While
the National Council of the SPCA called on South African National
Parks to urgently review its decision to shoot tahrs on Table Mountain,
major conservation organisations have come out in support of the
tahr eradication programme. Endangered
Wildlife Trust director Nick King said on Thursday that tahrs had
no place on Table Mountain.
"There
is no doubt tahrs need to be taken off the mountain to protect the
biodiversity. As to the best method, it may well be that a quick,
clean shot by a specialist marksman is the most humane way."
"Unfortunately
people get very emotional when big, furry animals are concerned.
They are putting so much energy into the tahr issue but are not
contributing to the real environmental problems in this country.
There are 10 species of our mammals facing extinction if something
is not done soon. That's where people should be putting their energy,"
King said.
'There are 10 species of our mammals facing extinction'
Western Cape Nature Conservation Board chief David Daitz said the
management plan for Table Mountain National Park had been established
after an extensive public participation programme.
"The
management plan included the removal of invasive aliens, which was
sanctioned by the public. I cannot see why a special case should
be made for one alien species, or why National Parks should offer
a safe haven for any invasive alien species. And I can't think of
a more humane way of removing tahrs than shooting them," Daitz
said.
Andy
Gubb of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa said
they supported the removal of tahrs.
"It
is unfortunate, but a reality. It must be done as humanely as possible.
We've never supported the use of darts and drugs, but shooting is
probably the best way."
Tony
Frost, chief executive of the South African branch of the World
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), said: "Invasive aliens like tahrs
threaten biodiversity. Tahrs don't belong on Table Mountain. I'm
quite sure the removal of tahrs will be done properly and humanely.
The quicker it's done, the better."
Julia
Woods, manager of the Table Mountain Fund, said she supported the
removal of tahrs in the "most humane way".
"Culling
tahrs is nothing new. It's been done for years, since the 70s. Unfortunately
I don't think translocation is a viable option," Woods said.
Marcelle
Meredith of the NSPCA said on Thursday they had called on the Minister
of Environment Marthinus van Schalkwyk to intervene in the matter
and to chair talks between parties concerned. - Environment Writer
Source:
Cape times South Africa
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