The establishment of the proposed Lamloch Safari Park, a ranch in the works in Kleinmond, is being strongly protested by the NSPCA and other groups after it was revealed that certain vulnerable wild species may be introduced into its boundaries.
The NSPCA has stated that its name as a safari park is misleading and that the proposed ranch will in fact be a ‘zoo’. In addition, the animal welfare organisation and an animal rights group claim that the owner of Lamloch has been involved in the ill-treatment of animals in the past.
In an official statement, the NSPCA claims that Lamloch, which is planned to be located east of Kleinmond on the Overberg coast, would be operating under the false guise of a safari park.
‘By the name alone, it gives the impression of a true South African bush setting, but in reality, it is a zoo that is designed for wild animal interactions and a life in captivity.’
In a response, Saunders says that this statement is misleading and Lamloch has in actual fact conducted thorough research to ensure all animals it introduces will thrive on the game reserve.
‘Specific species historically occurring in the area as well as the recommended number of animals to be released onto Lamloch have been researched by a wildlife specialist Ken Coetzee and his recommendations that formed part of a GAME MANAGEMENT PLAN has already been approved by the provincial authority – CapeNature in 2018.’
According to the animal welfare organisation, Lamloch intends to introduce eight African elephants, three lions and two black rhinos.
‘The NSPCA believe that the area intended for this is inadequate and unsuitable for the species, and this will substantially compromise the animals’ welfare.’
Saunders has responded to and refuted the NSPCA’s claims that Lamloch wants to introduce rhinos and lions, although he has confirmed that the ranch is awaiting a permit to introduce elephants.
He states in his response, ‘No animal will be released into Lamloch without a permit and pre-inspection will be conducted by CapeNature who will ensure that the facilities and fencing comply [with] and exceed the required standards and meet the welfare requirements as set out by the Department of Environmental Affairs.’
Wildlife Rights, a group of ‘concerned citizens’, is also opposing the opening of the ranch, reporting that the founder and owner, Craig Saunders, has previously been involved in incidents of ‘animal abuse’.
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The organisation claims that Saunders once purchased five elephants from Riccardo Ghiazza, a wildlife dealer.
‘The National Council of SPCA (NSPCA) charged Ghiazza, Saunders and five others with animal abuse after shocking video footage showed the horrific treatment of these animals while elephant trainers endeavoured to tame and train them for the tourist industry.’
All of those involved in the incident were found guilty of the ill treatment of elephants. According to Wildlife Rights, Saunders was not convicted as ‘the state could not prove the case against him beyond reasonable doubt.’
According to the NSPCA, meanwhile, Saunders was allegedly involved in the Tuli elephant case of 1998 to 2003, in which 30 elephants were cruelly captured and trained to entertain tourists.
These animal abuse claims by the NSPCA and Wildlife Rights have not been confirmed.
So far, the ‘safari park’ only has permits to house gemsbok, kudu, red hartebeest, springbok, eland, and bontebok.
Loren Pavitt, CapeNature’s Acting Senior Manager for Communication Services, has said that Lamloch’s initial plan did not include activities relating to human and wildlife interaction and confirmed that had not put forward any plans to house lions or rhinos.
‘No management plan has, to date, been submitted for these species.’
Following claims that Lamloch plans to make elephant riding an activity for visitors, Saunders told The Village News the claims are false.
‘I have made it clear in the application [to introduce elephants] there will be no interaction with or riding on elephants and, daily management aside, a great deal of free time will be available for the elephants. I have dedicated a large portion of my life to elephants and have been involved with these animals for more than 25 years in both the wild and in managed environments. Over the past 10 years I have made my intentions known to my staff and to the NSPCA that I would, when possible, be relocating all of my elephants, on a phased basis, to larger areas where there would be a lot more space available for them to roam and be at home in a more natural environment,’ he said.
According to the Conservation Management Plan created by Lamloch Safari Park in 2015, the area of the proposed ‘elephant camp’ is 20 hectares in size.
‘The animals will be housed in a 20-hectare electrified enclosure at night and all excursions into the ranch will be conducted by experienced elephant handlers.’
Saunders says that a ‘release boma is required by law to be constructed, for all elephant released into the world or onto game farms, irrespective of these elephants’ origin.’
He added that the release boma or camp will provide the ellies with adequate protection against wind, rain and other elements.
‘Provision is also made for fresh water to be available at all times as well as a variety of suitable food.’
Area outlined in blue shows where the proposed elephant camp may be located.
‘The specifications of the release camp will be according to the National Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in South Africa (Notice no. 251, 2008),’ says Saunders.
Although Wildlife Rights states that Saunders hasn’t revealed the origin of the elephants and ‘when they were captured and domesticated’ as they believe is the case, Saunders has provided a statement to the contrary.
‘The elephants will be coming from existing sanctuaries in Mpumalanga, North West province and the Western cape. These properties and elephants have been owned and managed by Saunders for 20 years.’
Wildlife Rights alleges that Saunders owns captive elephant facilities in Hazyview, Hartebeespoort Dam and the Crags, near Plettenberg Bay.
The manager of NSPCA’s Wildlife Trade & Trafficking Portfolio, Karen Trendler, says, ‘We are perplexed that there are still captive wildlife facilities that are cropping up, surgely, as a country that has beautiful national parks where elephants and other wild animals get to live their lives out naturally, that we would have moved away from keeping these animals in captivity.’
The proposed specifications of the holding/release camp in Lamloch Safari Park.
The EMP is currently in its final stages of evaluation.
According to the Conservation Management Plan report, the plan to house elephants is ‘for the sake of tourism’.
‘The EMP states that there will be elephant/human contact sessions, albeit under very controlled circumstances in line with the elephant interaction rules,’ said CapeNature.
Pavitt said that elephants walks will be provided for visitors in a controlled environment, and also confirmed that no elephant riding will be offered.
‘The local authority was approached with the application and it was confirmed that no listed activities in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) will be triggered by the development.’
Pavvit said that CapeNature is against ‘non-essential’ human-wildlife interaction and doesn’t ‘support, condone nor encourage’ it. ‘CapeNature regards such activity as highly irresponsible, undesirable and potentially dangerous and urges any permit-holder to refrain therefrom at all times,’ he said.
According to the NSPCA, after approaching CapeNature with the issue of Lamloch’s proposal to house elephants, lions and rhinos, they received a ‘dismissive tone’.
Pavitt, however, assures members of the public that the elephant camp would be subject to a ‘final inspection and approval of the fencing and electrification of the facility.’
‘CapeNature does not permit breeding with captivity elephants and therefore measures to prevent and mitigate breeding must be implemented at all times,’ Pavitt adds.
CapeNature has also been criticised by the NSPCA for having not been ‘clear’ about the animal management plants for Lamloch Safari Park.
‘As the leading animal welfare organisation in South Africa, and one that is mandated to enforce the Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962, the NSPCA is appalled by the lack of transparency received from CapeNature.’
Wildlife Rights is running a petition against the establishment of Lamloch Safari Park, which can be found here.
Have your say:
Members of the public are encouraged to submit their comment and take part in the public participation process of Lamloch Safari Park here.
Public participation is open now and ends on 1 April 2019.
Picture: Unsplash
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