From page 1:
“We were alerted to the dead cranes on the farm by a neighbouring farmer. CapeNature was also contacted and Allistair Pietersen responded immediately by rushing to the site,” Leeuwner said, “The surviving cranes reluctantly left their partners’ sides and flew off when we approached.” He said an unusually large amount of maize and wheat was found strewn around the small dam. “As poisoning was suspected all the prescribed procedures were followed, including collecting the stomach contents to be sent for analysis. The dead cranes and a dead spurwing goose were buried.” Thanks to the quick reaction of all involved, the 11 affected Blue Cranes – who were in urgent need of medical attention – were also attended to.
“Being Good Friday it was almost impossible to get hold of any assistance,” said Leeuwner. “At this point the wonderful staff of Bergview Veterinary Hospital in Hermanus saved the day. They opened after hours specially for us and generously donated enough medication to treat all 11 affected cranes for suspected organophosphate poisoning What a wonderful gift to the cranes.”
On Saturday morning nine of the birds could walk on their own along a small safe dam near to where they were taken for treatment. Two birds were kept for further treatment, but subsequently also left the site, fully recovered.
In February 2015 a farmer in the Northern Cape allegedly poisoned between 200 and 1 000 Blue Cranes over a period of three years in 2012. One of the reasons he gave for doing so is that they were apparently attracted to newly planted fields and pivots on his designated sheep and cattle farm.. CapeNature will release its official findings on the case as soon as the stomach analysis is completed. If poisoning is confirmed, a case will be opened to investigate the offence. The Nature Conservation Ordinance states people are not permitted to lay or allow anyone else to lay any poison at a place where it could be ingested by an animal. Those found guilty face jail terms of up to 10 years as well as a fine of up to R100 000.
