CAPE TOWN – In a shocking act of wildlife cruelty, 19 Angulate Tortoises were brutally poached at the Table Bay Nature Reserve, with their empty shells discovered scattered along footpaths leading to the Environmental Education Centre on Saturday morning.
Reserve staff made the discovery on 1 November finding the tortoises had been removed from their shells in what appears to be a deliberate harvesting operation, possibly for meat or traditional medicinal purposes.
“This is a serious case of animal cruelty and a violation of environmental protection laws under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act and City of Cape Town by-laws,” said Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews. “These beautiful creatures have been brutally killed, their shells broken open and discarded, and the internal organs and flesh removed.”
Authorities suspect two men gained access to the reserve earlier that morning by pretending to be fishermen. The suspects reportedly paid for fishing activities and carried fishing equipment to avoid suspicion while carrying out the illegal poaching operation.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Cape Town’s environmental community, highlighting the ongoing threats faced by the city’s protected wildlife species. Angulate Tortoises are protected under South African environmental legislation, making their killing and harvesting illegal.
The case has been reported to local police for criminal investigation, with photographic evidence and video footage of the suspects’ vehicle submitted to authorities. CapeNature and the SPCA have also been notified and are assisting with the investigation.
Reserve management said that staff conduct regular patrols across all City nature reserves and are urging the public to remain vigilant.
“We request visitors to please report any suspicious activity or behaviour to help us protect these vulnerable species,” a spokesperson said.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact local authorities or reserve management immediately.
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