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TUESDAY 8 September 2020 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
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TOKAI
‘Give Kataza a chance’ NETTALIE VILJOEN NETTALIE.VILJOEN@MEDIA24.COM
T
he Cape of Good Hope SPCA is pleading with the public to give Kataza, a male baboon relocated from the Slangkop troop to Tokai, the opportunity to adapt to his new environment. A social media storm has sprung up after the Human and Wildlife Solutions (HWS) team – the City of Cape Town’s service provider – removed Kataza from his home in Kommetjie in late August. This weekend, the SPCA said the relocation of the baboon was a much more preferred outcome than what was previously on the table – euthanasia. Belinda Abraham, the communications, resource development and education manager at the SPCA, said the animal welfare organisation had opposed the euthanasia of the baboon named Kataza on two different occasions. “The SPCA is strongly opposed to the euthanasia of fit and healthy animals, especially where humane alternatives are available. We do not believe that the relevant authorities have explored all availa-
ble avenues to resolve the reported problematic behaviours of Kataza.” In a media statement released on Saturday 5 September, the SPCA stated it had not been consulted prior to the relocation of Kataza. “The relocation of Kataza falls outside the legislated mandate of the SPCA. The SPCA can only take action if any person contravenes the Animals Protection Act. The relocation of Kataza does not contravene the Animals Protection Act. It is not illegal to relocate wild animals.” Last week Wednesday, the City’s Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Marian Nieuwoudt, urged animal activists to work with the City. She said they had been informed that animal activists attempted to lure the male baboon back to Kommetjie on Tuesday, 1 September. “This male was born in the Slangkop troop and commenced to inbreed. He was also splintering the group and compromising the welfare of the whole troop. Being young and healthy, it was decided to relocate him to the northern sub-population where his chances of outbreeding are greatly improved, and with that, the genetic health of any offspring,” she said.
In a statement posted on the Baboon Matters Trust Facebook page on Saturday 5 September, founder Jenni Trethowan said the trust did not condone any actions taken by members of the public to lure the baboon back to its home. Trethowan explained that Kataza was moving quickly and was under stress. “A layperson attempting to trap, sedate or contain him could lead to his death. We do not know how a stressed baboon would react to sleeping tablets and to suggest such a thing, although well-intentioned, is irresponsible,” she added. According to Trethowan, any attempt to contain or sedate Kataza must be done under the control of a veterinarian and with necessary permits and equipment. “We are all working as hard as we can to secure Kataza’s return to his troop in a safe and sustainable manner. We rely on all the many thousands of supporters to continue to behave with the controlled, responsible manner,” she said. In an earlier Facebook post dated Wednesday 2 September, Trethowan said that Kataza’s relocation should not have happened “as the data and inputs were fundamentally flawed”. She also said the decision to leave Kataza to settle in Tokai
could prove fatal. “This may take anything from a month or more. As he establishes places in this new range, Kataza is running through heavy traffic and is at risk of being killed,” she said. A post on the Baboons of the South Facebook page last week further pointed out that if Kataza’s possible return to kommetjie is left too long it may be difficult for Kataza to integrate back with his home troop as there may well be a dominance battle with the alpha male George. Abrahams said, inspectors from the SPCA’s wildlife department will be keeping a close eye on Kataza. She said the organisation will not hesitate to interject if his wellbeing, as per the provisions of the act, is at risk. “Kataza has been let down by many people ... Every person who has irresponsibly disposed of waste, given him easy access to rubbish bins, food sources or any treats of easy pickings is responsible for the situation Kataza is in. His raiding behaviours, which resulted from human negligence, have put him at risk of injury and cruelty by those who are indifferent to the animals they share their surroundings with,” Abrahams said.