Target: Ms Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa
Goal: Ensure stringent legal consequences for the illegal hunting of endangered species in Free State.
A troubling pattern of wildlife crime has emerged in the Free State province of South Africa, with the illegal hunting of vulnerable aardvarks and other wildlife causing widespread alarm. The recent apprehension of suspects reportedly found with carcasses of an aardvark and a porcupine spotlights a sinister disregard for conservation laws and animal welfare. These actions not only contravene the Free State nature conservation ordinance and Nemba laws but also rob our ecosystem of its invaluable biodiversity.
Reinet Meyer, chief inspector of the SPCA in Bloemfontein, highlighted the gravity of this situation, noting the iconic status of the aardvark as an endangered species and a symbol of South Africa’s natural heritage. The frequency of such incidents – three in just one month – underscores an urgent need for action. These acts of alleged animal abuse and environmental degradation erode the very fabric of our natural heritage and require a resolute and immediate response.
The protection of endangered species is paramount for the preservation of biodiversity and for maintaining ecological balance. It’s imperative that we enforce existing laws with vigor and seek to implement stricter measures to deter such behavior. This petition calls upon you to take decisive action, ensuring that those found guilty of such reprehensible acts face the full force of the law. The wildlife, the heritage, and the future generations demand nothing less.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Ms Barbara Creecy,
The reported incidents of illegal wildlife hunting in the Free State, specifically targeting endangered species such as the aardvark, are of grave concern. These actions, which seemingly disregard the conservation laws of our nation, not only threaten biodiversity but also tarnish our collective responsibility to preserve our natural heritage. It is disheartening to witness the apparent disrespect for life and law as evidenced by the recent arrest of individuals in possession of aardvark and porcupine carcasses, endangered species vital to our ecosystem’s health.
The pattern of these hunts, highlighted by the SPCA in Bloemfontein, reflects a disturbing disregard for the ecological and legal frameworks designed to protect our wildlife. The fact that this is not an isolated incident but part of a larger trend of wildlife crime in the region necessitates a robust and unwavering response from your office. The involvement of multiple agencies in the apprehension of the suspects demonstrates the seriousness of the situation and the need for a coordinated enforcement and legal response.
I urge you, as the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, to not only ensure that the individuals allegedly involved are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law but also to review and strengthen the policies and enforcement mechanisms pertaining to wildlife protection. This should be seen not just as a punitive measure, but as a deterrent to future potential offenders and a statement about our country’s stance on wildlife conservation. Our wildlife, and indeed our nation’s integrity as a steward of natural heritage, deserve no less.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Heather Paul
What part of ENDANGERED do these animal killers not get? Arrest them and hold them accountable!