IOL reports NSPCA inspectors found 27 lions with severe mange, two lion cubs unable to walk, obese caracal unable to groom themselves, overcrowded and filthy enclosures, inadequate shelter, lack of water and parasitic conditions at Pienika Farm located near Lichtenburg. 

Senior inspector Douglas Wolhuter, NSPCA Wildlife Protection Unit manager, confirmed that charges had been laid following the horrific visit to the farm. He said it is deplorable that any animal would be forced to live in such conditions, with such medical ailments, adding the fact that these are wild animals that are already living unnatural lives in confinement for the purposes of trade, just makes it more horrific.

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A security analyst at Free State Agriculture, Jane Buys, says they are confident that the war against rising farm attacks will be won in the near future. Buys spoke to OFM News, following a meeting between Free State Agriculture, Agri Northern Cape, the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, Agri SA and Fidelity ADT last week. 

The meeting focused on addressing issues of greater safety and combating crime on the commercial agricultural sector in the Free State and Northern Cape, and to expand collaboration and partnerships in agricultural communities in the two provinces.

Buys added that the involvement of ground-level structures, which contribute to the success of preventing and combating rural crime, cannot be over-emphasised and the task team has been set up to meet on a monthly basis on the progress of implementation. 

According to AfriForum’s Community Safety Division, about 432 farm attacks and 54 farm murders took place across South Africa in 2018, and this year the number look to be slightly going up.

OFM News/IOL