The unbridled poaching of game on the continent of Africa, and in particular South Africa, to provide the Far East with worthless sexual stimulants and beauty products is scandalous and drastic actions should be taken to put a stop to it, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on the Environment, says.
Adv. Alberts says poaching is getting out of hand. According to some reports, there are only 20 000 lions in Africa, while the number of donkeys throughout the world has declined drastically. In the meantime, poaching of the highly endangered species, rhino’s is continuing unhindered.
He says regarding South Africa, drastic steps will have to be taken to put a stop to this poaching and for the protection of its animals.
“All exports of donkeys from South Africa should be stopped immediately, and the policing of game and poaching should be intensified. A total ban should be placed on the exporting of any animals from the African continent.
“A tragic example of many African countries’ total insensitivity toward animals occurred in Zimbabwe recently where, according to a report in The Conversation, certain debts owed to China, were paid in the form of the export of elephants and other game.
“According to the report, Zimbabwe gave 35 young elephants, eight lions, and 12 hyenas to China to pay debts.
“A new dynamic to this poaching is a new belief taken hold in Far-eastern countries that jelly from a donkey skin also has certain beauty and sexually stimulating effects. Certain parts of lions, such as the head and paws, have also become sought after.
“Internationally, nearly two million donkeys are killed to provide for this new market in China. Making this issue worse, is the fact that in many instances donkeys are skinned alive to obtain the skins of the animals.
“Action should be taken without delay. At the current pace at which the poaching and exporting of the animals parts are taking place, there will little or nothing left of a number of species in Africa within the next decade,” Adv. Alberts says.
Contact no.: 082 391 3117 / 083 419 5403
;
