NSPCA prosecuting breeding facility where tigers 'endure unimaginable suffering' for profit
The National Council of SPCAs has described the distressing scene it found at large-scale tiger breeding facility in Klerksdorp in North West.
Tiger at breeding facility. Screenshot from NSPCA video on Facebook
Amy MacIver (in for CapeTalk's John Maytham) talks to Jacques Peacock, communications manager at the NSPCA.
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) is prosecuting what it calls a notorious predator facility after uncovering a case of 'shocking cruelty'.
Conducting a follow-up inspection at a large-scale tiger breeding facility in Klerksdorp in North West province, inspectors found scenes of 'unimaginable suffering and neglect'.
One animal was so badly injured it had resorted to self-mutilation.
The NSPCA says this further exposes the grim reality behind South Africa’s commercial captive predator industry.
Amy MacIver talks to Jacques Peacock, the Council's communications manager.
"What was supposed to be the team follow-up inspection on previous injuries, turned into a deeply distressing scene... but the most shocking discovery was a severely injured tiger who'd literally gnawed at her own paws to the point where the bones and tendons were exposed."
Jacques Peacock, Communications Manager - NSPCA
Peacock points out that this suffering would have been happening over a long period of time to get to this level.
"The fact that nothing was done to alleviate her suffering is inhumane and just completely unacceptable."
Jacques Peacock, Communications Manager - NSPCA
Given the severity of the animal's injuries, the team had no choice but to humanely euthanise her, Peacock says.
The owner of the facility refused to allow them to remove the carcass from the enclosure where they were working, 'saying that the carcass is money'.
While they're unable to do a post-mortem for prosecution purposes as a result, the NSPCA will be pursuing this case for prosecution to the full extent of the law, he says.
"We've already started compiling a docket which will be submitted to the South African police services."
Jacques Peacock, Communications Manager - NSPCA
The NSPCA says that this particulaar facility has long been under scrutiny due to its ties to the illegal predator bone trade and other criminal enterprises.
"Despite frequent inspections, legal loopholes and the failure of provincial authorities to enforce adequate welfare standards have allowed operations like this to continue under the guise of 'legal breeding'.”
NSPCA
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