GQEBERHA – Police seized 15 live tortoises and four dead tortoises from a property in Marikana, Chatty, on Thursday, 22 October after the owner of the property was unable to produce a valid permit.

According to Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, members of the Mount Road Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit made the discovery at about 12:00 while conducting an investigation in the Marikana area.

“A member noticed tortoises in a makeshift enclosure and four dead tortoises on the opposite side of the yard. The owner voluntarily surrendered the animals,” she said. “Police contacted the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL), who took the tortoises into their care. No criminal case was opened.”

The manager of the Animal Anti-Cruelty League in Gqeberha, Beverley Rademeyer, said she was contacted by one of the police officers regarding the tortoises kept on the property.

“He asked if they were allowed to keep them, then I said no, it is wildlife and should not be removed from its natural environment,” she said.

“He then asked if I could send any information under the laws regarding keeping illegal wildlife, I then referred to the Nature Conservation Ordinance and the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962,” said Rademeyer.

“I spoke to the owner and explained she could receive a hefty fine from the authorities for having so much wildlife on her property. It is sad and shocking that so many tortoises are being taken out of their natural environment,” she said.

“Our plea goes out to members of the public in different communities to please inform our clinic of individuals who have wildlife in their possession. They are not pets or garden ornaments; they need to live in their natural habitat,” Rademeyer concluded.

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