By Wendy Willson*
The world is in the midst of the 6th extinction—the alarmingly rapid loss of animal and plant species due to human population growth and activity. In less than two human generations, populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish have dropped by half. It is human decisions, especially those made by the people who live among vulnerable wildlife and environments, that will either further aid the collapse of or carry life forward to safer ground.
Africa is best known for her enormous diversity, richness of her wildlife and shelter for most of the world’s remaining biodiversity. It has a greater variety of endemic species, ungulates and freshwater fish than any other continent and, although it is still viewed by many as the darkest and most remote part of the world, it’s the continent at the very heart of a global conversation—one that has profound consequences for the future of wildlife.
Regardless of how many well-intentioned conservation strategies are developed or global treaties signed, if the people who live among wild animals do not value them, animals will continue to disappear. Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JVWH) is not only on the cutting edge of saving African wildlife, but is also deeply invested in the people of Africa and empowering them as guardians of our wildlife heritage.
JWVH also trains veterinarians, veterinary students and animal caregivers from other continents around the world, keeping our costs to the bare minimum and subsidising them heavily so that even the most resource-challenged applicants can benefit from our very unique training. Just this year we have hosted and trained students from the USA, Austria, France, Brazil, Switzerland, Chech Republic, Hungary, Spain and Italy. We have also advised and guided veterinarians, animal welfare organisations and judiciary from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Egypt, Namibia and Mozambique.
We strive to educate foundation level children wherever possible, not only in aspects of animal care and wildlife conservation, but also in their own health and safety. Currently, this is focused on two aspects – snakes and snake bite prevention – because of the severe shortage of snake bite antivenom in Africa – and rodenticide poisonings – and how humans, animals and the environment suffer – as well as ways to control pests poison free.
JVWH has seen an extraordinary spike in wildlife admissions over the last 18 months coming for help after being illegally captured from the wild and then either illegally kept, traded or exploited in some way. In the absence of prosecution, a vicious cycle is created – little to no risk of detection, prosecution or punishment for these crimes results in rampant illegal behaviour and cruelty contraventions pertaining to our indigenous animals being rife.
South Africa is one of the few African countries that has laws in place to protect animals, from the most threatened pangolin to the most common garden bird, from exploitation and cruelty. But a law is only as strong as its enforcement. Although incidents of animals being removed from illegal circumstances, inhumane keeping conditions and situations of cruelty are fairly common, the incidents are rarely even recorded, let alone prosecuted.
JVWH has undertaken to change this state of play and has either opened criminal cases ourselves or participated in joint initiatives that represent legal action for “little wildlife” ranging from the iconic secretary bird, the widely persecuted owl, the threatened pangolin and even the humble scrub hare and hedgehog. In just 12 months, we have made remarkable progress in ensuring that the risk of engaging in illegal activities and premeditated cruelty of any sort with these species outweighs the reward!
Prosecutions that take place in South Africa have a huge ripple effect throughout the rest of Africa and are often the start of another African country’s initiative to protect a species. It is vital that we continue this work.
Supporting South African prosecutions that fight to ensure that wild animals have their voices heard when they suffer abuse and exploitation changes the future and results in a legacy that far outlasts our own lifetimes.
*Wendy Willson is an animal health and welfare specialist from Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital and a Kusudi La beneficiary (total fundraising amount: USD 13 000), with extensive experience and a strong track record in prosecuting crimes against wildlife.
