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Agriculture

Blue crane investigations “at advanced stage”

───   SABRINA DEAN 16:55 Thu, 12 Mar 2015

Blue crane investigations “at advanced stage” | News Article

Kimberley - The Northern Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation says investigations into the mass poisoning of blue cranes, allegedly by a Richmond farmer, are at an advanced stage.

Spokesperson Lesego Pule says they have taken cognisance of the toxicology findings released this week by the Griffon Poison Information System and do not dispute that the birds were poisoned.
 
He says the department views the matter in a very serious light:
'Lesego Pule' 
 
Pule says it is now important to ensure they are able to properly link the poisoning to a specific individual. He did not provide a specific date by when the investigations will be concluded but says further feedback could be available soon.
 
The investigation relates back to a mass poisoning believed to have taken place in 2012. An estimated 200 birds died after being fed maize that had been soaked in the poison diazinon, a substance used for fly control.
 
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn of the Griffon Poison Information Centre yesterday told OFM News toxicology tests have now confirmed that the birds were in fact maliciously poisoned.  He says says the poisoning, allegedly by a farmer whose crops were being damaged, contravenes several laws and Acts.
 
According to Verdoorn, the culprit could face a fine of millions of Rands or even up to ten years in prison, depending on the justice system.
 
Sabrina Dean/OFM News 

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