Tiger cub rescued from backyard captivity
DURBAN - A tiger cub has been rescued from a property in Pietermaritzburg and is being protected by the highest conservation body in South Africa.
This is according to a wildlife sanctuary after concerns about the future of the cub were raised.
The tiger cub was rescued after Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Pietermaritzburg honorary officers received reports of a tiger being illegally kept in an enclosure at a property in Northern Park, Chase Valley.
Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo said that working together with the SAPS Stock Theft unit and the SPCA, Ezemvelo Wildlife officials visited the property to investigate.
“Upon arrival, they found a male tiger, estimated to be between four and six months old. The animal was immediately confiscated,” Mntambo said.
He said the tiger was taken to the FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for temporary care and rehabilitation. After securing the required permits, the cub was transported to the Pretoria Zoo on September 19, where it will receive specialised care and long-term accommodation.
“A case of illegal possession of the tiger has been opened at Town Hill SAPS. The charges fall under sections 79, 80, and 81 of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance, as well as section 65 (clauses 1 and 2) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Nemba),” Mntambo explained.
He added that Ezemvelo is committed to enforcing wildlife regulations and continues to work with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that such incidents are addressed swiftly and effectively.
FreeMe Wildlife thanked the members of the public who reported the matter of the tiger, the Hawks, the PMB Stock Theft Unit, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, PMB SPCA, uMngeni SPCA, and the FreeMe Wildlife team.
“This is how many it takes to assist in a case like this - a tiger cub kept in a makeshift wire enclosure in a backyard in Pietermaritzburg,” FreeMe Wildlife said.
The wildlife sanctuary confirmed that the cub was confiscated and taken to FreeMe Wildlife to be held as temporary evidence and a case was opened by the Pietermaritzburg Stock Theft unit.
FreeMe Wildlife said the support for the cub has been overwhelming and touching.
It said there has been a lot of concern about the future of the cub and therefore sharing its present state will help ease minds.
“The cub is now under the direct protection of the highest conservation body in this country, the DFFE (Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment), and is being kept at the highest security facility under their control, the Pretoria Zoological Gardens,” FreeMe Wildlife said.
The wildlife sanctuary explained that while the cub remains evidence in an ongoing court case, it must remain in the custody of the DFFE and cannot, for its own safety, be released to a private sanctuary. The cub’s future will only be decided once the outcome of the court case is final.
“FreeMe Wildlife would not support the rescue of an animal from the illegal wildlife trade only to see it become part of it again. We are working closely with, and support, the wildlife authorities of this province, and this country,” FreeMe Wildlife said.
“We would like to remind the public it is the same authorities that rescued this cub in the first place.”
