Illegal Hunting Threatens Overstrand’s Natural Heritage

The DA-controlled Overstrand Municipality and CapeNature should urgently take steps to curb the growing incidence of illegal hunting using dogs and wire snares in the Overstrand and Overberg regions.

After nearly two years and despite ongoing engagement with the Municipality and CapeNature, there is still no comprehensive strategy to tackle this serious crisis.

The Overstrand forms part of the internationally recognised UNESCO Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, which is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, unique fynbos and precious wildlife. This status inevitably entails a responsibility to protect the area. A responsibility that should not only be shouldered by local residents, farmers, landowners and volunteers.

The Municipality and CapeNature should fulfil their legal obligations and take tangible action.

The practice of illegal hunting with dogs and wire snares claims the lives of small antelope, porcupines, caracals, tortoises, hares, mongooses and many other species.

It puts mounting pressure on vulnerable wildlife populations while disrupting the area’s ecological balance.

This unique ecosystem is further damaged by the creation of illegal access routes, the trampling of sensitive vegetation and the disturbance of breeding habitats.

Consequently, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) requests Overstrand Municipality and CapeNature to publicly announce an action plan, including the following, within 30 days:

• More patrols in known problem areas.
• A joint operational plan between CapeNature, the Municipality, the police and environmental organisations.
• Regular removal of wire snares.
• Improved gathering of intelligence and stringent prosecution of offenders.
• An accessible public reporting system.
• Sufficient financial and human resources for enforcing conservation measures.
• Transparent reporting on investigations, arrests and prosecutions.
• Educational programmes on the legal and ecological consequences of illegal hunting.

The Overstrand Municipality already has a specialised law enforcement unit with trained dogs used for the detection of abalone and drugs. These resources could also be employed to curb illegal hunting and poaching.

The party, furthermore, requests that a public meeting be held within 60 days so the Municipality and CapeNature can inform residents of the steps that will be taken, how many cases have already been investigated, how many have been successfully prosecuted and what resources have been earmarked for conserving and protecting the area.

The Freedom Front Plus also calls on residents, farmers, landowners, hikers and visitors to report suspicious activities and do their part to protect this precious environment.

FF+ Manifesto on Sustainable development: Balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

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