With CapeNature’s investigation into Wilke’s Wildlife Rehab in Pinelands still ongoing, the fate of the wild animals removed from the premises earlier this month hangs in the balance.
Following an inspection of the facility by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Wildlife Department and CapeNature on Monday 15 August, more than 100 wild animals were removed after it was found that the centre was operating without a valid permit from CapeNature.
Last week, CapeNature confirmed that of the animals seized, “some were taken to other facilities that are currently keeping the wild animals in captivity on behalf of CapeNature”.
Paul Gildenhuys, CapeNature enforcement specialist, Biodiversity Conservation, said the future of the animals would depend on the outcome of their investigation and a state prosecutor’s decision on whether to prosecute or not.
“After the investigation has been concluded, the matter will be handed to a state prosecutor for a decision. The decision of the prosecutor will determine the way forward. This decision (whether to prosecute or not) will ultimately guide CapeNature’s decision regarding the future of the wild animals seized during the execution of the search warrant,” said Gildenhuys.
SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse, last week told People’s Post that some of the seized animals were being housed by them on behalf of CapeNature pending “an instruction as to what to do with the animals”.
According to the animal welfare organisation’s website, “the SPCA is opposed to the euthanasia of fit and healthy animals but accepts the reality that euthanasia is necessary”.
In answer to the question if these animals would be euthanised should CapeNature be unable to find a long-term home for them, Gildenhuys said it would depend on the condition and the quality of life of each of the wild animals.
“The conservation status of each of the wild animals will also be considered. CapeNature has the following available options: permanent captivity, release back into the wild or euthanasia,” said Gildenhuys.
As to how long the SPCA and other accredited facilities would be able to care for these wild animals, Gildenhuys said this period would depend on the decision of the prosecutor whether to prosecute or not.
According to a media statement released by the SPCA on Friday 19 August, the centre was inspected “following several complaints about the conditions in which animals were kept”.
In an interview with People’s Post immediately following the release of the media statement, Margo Wilke, better known as the Bird Lady of Cape Town, shared that the confiscation of her wild animals had left her broken.
Wilke turned her home in Pinelands into a shelter and rehab for injured wild animals starting in 1977. In the 45 years that followed, she became widely known as the person who you could take an injured animal to for care.
Now 67, Wilke admitted that she had been in the wrong in allowing her CapeNature permits to expire. She said that the past five years had been “terrible”, with her having to undergo two knee operations.
She shared that on Monday 15 August, she was in the waiting room at her arthritis doctor when she received a call from the SPCA, saying that they wanted to inspect her premises. She said when she got home, she found 10 enforcement vehicles parked in her road with about 20 people in uniform.
Pieterse has since disputed Wilke’s statement, saying that when Wilke arrived home there was only one SPCA and one unmarked vehicle parked in front of the property with one SPCA official, one police officer and one CapeNature official.
“Only much later, after it was established that the facility did not have a permit and that the animals were being kept in dirty and parasitic conditions were other team members called in to assist.
This resulted in three SPCA vehicles, two CapeNature vehicles and one police vehicle. There were four SPCA officials on site, five CapeNature and one police,” said Pieterse. He added that all the animals that were removed were as a result of the centre not having a permit.
“This, however, does not deviate from the conditions in which the animals were found. A warning was issued by the SPCA for the remaining animals on the property (to ensure their living conditions were cleaned).”
In the statement, the SPCA advised the public to avoid taking any wild animals to the rehab centre “until the necessary permits are obtained and current issues are resolved”.
Wilke, however, told People’s Post that when she inquired during the inspection if she could continue looking after the animals while she tried to sort out her paperwork, her request was denied. She also said she was left with the impression that she wouldn’t be allowed to renew her CapeNature permits and then have the wild animals returned to her.
People’s Post asked CapeNature if Wilke was allowed to apply for permits for the wild animals that had been in her care, and, if granted, there was a chance that the animals may be returned to her.
“The wild animals seized will remain in the care of CapeNature and the facility looking after them until the matter is finalised. Thereafter a decision will be made regarding the future of the seized animals,” said Gildenhuys.
