NSPCA tells Martin Bester: Whereabouts of sedated tiger still unknown
Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to NSPCA Senior Inspector Douglas Wolhuter about the recent incidents in which two tigers went missing from enclosures and ended up in residential areas.
The most recent search for a tiger roaming freely in Edenvale allegedly concluded when authorities east of Johannesburg managed to track it down and recapture it.
The big cat went missing on Monday and was later spotted on CCTV footage roaming around the premises of an office building.
Martin Bester spoke to NSPCA Senior Inspector Douglas Wolhuter about the most recent missing tiger.
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Wolhuter told Breakfast with Martin Bester that there have been allegations that the NSPCA caught the tiger, but Wolhuter confirmed this is not true.
“We don’t even know where the tiger is. We don’t know where it’s kept or whether it’s safe,” he said.
The senior inspector said if the tiger was sedated, the serum should’ve been accounted for. “These things need to be accounted for, every millilitre. Not just anyone can sedate an animal.” There is also great concern surrounding the incident as there is very little information available to the public.
Wolhuter warned the public to please be careful not to believe everything they see on social media.
He added that the cause of these tigers going missing and escaping their enclosures is due to a lack of correct legislation. Legislation around the ownership of exotic animals should be amended by the government and municipalities to prevent future problems.
READ: Roaming Edenvale tiger recaptured
Reports say that the operations manager at security company Swat SOS 24/7 Gary Wilson also claimed that the tiger was sedated.
"Units have assisted in locating and capturing the tiger in Edenvale. The animal has been sedated and taken to a sanctuary for safekeeping. No further information will be given at this time."
Earlier this month, another incident of a tiger roaming freely in the south of Johannesburg left South Africans buzzing.
Sheba escaped from her enclosure at Walker’s Fruit Farm, south of Johannesburg.
READ: Midvaal set to review bylaws on exotic animals after tiger escape
According to Jacaranda FM news, the tigress attacked a 39-year-old man and killed two domestic animals.
The eight-year-old tiger was found via drone thermal imaging and was then euthanised.
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