The City of Cape Town has condemned the brutal poaching of 19 Angulate Tortoises at the Table Bay Nature Reserve recently, calling it a shocking act of cruelty and a serious breach of environmental protection laws.
Reserve staff made the grim discovery earlier this month, when they came across several empty tortoise shells scattered along footpaths near the Environmental Education Centre. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the tortoises had been forcefully removed from their shells and harvested, likely for their meat or possible traditional use.
“This is a serious case of animal cruelty and a violation of environmental protection laws under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act and the City of Cape Town’s by-laws,” said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews.
“These beautiful creatures have been brutally killed — their shells broken open and discarded, and their internal organs and flesh removed. Such acts show a complete disregard for life and for the natural environment we are working so hard to protect,” Andrews said.
Suspects identified
It is suspected that two men entered the reserve earlier that morning under the guise of being legitimate visitors. They reportedly paid the standard fee for fishing and were seen carrying a fishing rod, possibly as a cover for their illegal activities.
Photographic evidence and video footage of the suspects’ vehicle have since been handed over to the local police, CapeNature, and the SPCA as part of the ongoing investigation.
Investigation underway
The case has been reported to the Table View police, and the City says it will cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.
Reserve staff have increased patrols in and around the protected area, particularly near access points and popular fishing zones.
“This kind of cruelty has no place in our city,” said Andrews. “We are appealing to the public to be vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious activity or behaviour in our nature reserves. Community cooperation is essential in stopping poaching and protecting our biodiversity.”
Ecological impact
The Angulate Tortoise (Chersina angulata) is one of the most recognisable and resilient species found along the Cape’s coastal ecosystems. These slow-moving reptiles can live for decades and play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of the area.
Environmentalists say the mass killing of 19 individuals in one incident represents a severe blow to the local population and underscores the ongoing threat of wildlife poaching in urban conservation areas.
The City has urged residents, visitors, and local community groups to report any illegal harvesting of wildlife or suspicious conduct to the City’s law enforcement or to the nearest police station.
A wildlife ecologist told the newspaper: “This massacre is devastating — tortoises are slow breeders, and losing 19 at once can severely impact a small population. It’s not just the animals that suffer; the entire ecosystem feels the loss.”
Leila Petersen, conservation activist, said: “Poaching like this is often driven by ignorance or desperation. We need more community education about the importance of protecting even our smallest species — because every creature plays a role in the balance of nature.”
A member of Friends of Table Bay Nature Reserve said: “Our volunteers are heartbroken. The reserve is meant to be a sanctuary, not a hunting ground. We hope the perpetrators are caught and that this tragedy inspires tighter protection measures.”
