Cape Town authorities investigating case of poaching after 19 tortoise shells found in reserve

Authorities are investigating a shocking case of wildlife poaching in the Table Bay Nature Reserve, where staff recently found 19 empty Angulate Tortoise shells.

The tortoises appear to have been deliberately killed, possibly for meat or traditional use. 

Officials suspect that two men entered the reserve under the pretence of fishing, paying for the activity and bringing a rod with them.

Photographs and video footage of the suspects’ vehicle have been handed to local police, CapeNature, and the SPCA.

The City of Cape Town’s biodiversity management branch’s Julia Wood has described the incident as horrifying.

"We conduct regular patrols on the reserves in order to safeguard our biodiversity, and we also just would like to send out a message asking members of the public, if they ever witness any suspicious behaviour, if they can phone the city’s emergency number on 021 480 7700."