No more gin traps - this should have made the headlines....

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South Africa

No more gin traps - let's drink to that

 

 

November 22 2008 at 10:05AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Sheree BégaA predator conservation group has hailed the decision by Western Cape nature authorities to outlaw the use of gin traps - a sprung set of metal jaws with sharp steel teeth - without a permit. CapeNature announced this week that from January 1, farmers will require a permit to use a gin trap for "problem-causing animals".Bool Smuts, the founder of the Landmark Foundation, met CapeNature officials this week to congratulate them. "I'm very pleased. It's a fantastic breakthrough and it's the first government entity that has effectively outlawed the use of barbaric leg-hold traps." Thousands of animals, including leopards, caracal, antelope and tortoises, are maimed or killed through the use of gin traps every year - many chew through their own legs to escape, or die of dehydration.

The foundation is imploring farmers across South Africa to use non-lethal and holistic measures, including Anatolian dogs and protective sheep collars, to protect their livestock. It's also urging consumers to call on major retailers to stock predator-friendly meat."This is a good first step," said Smuts. "I don't live under any illusions that the state has the capacity to police this, but what it means is that, for the first time, retailers can't source from illegal practices, just like they can't source from sweatshops. I don't believe major retailers have digested this." - Additional reporting by Sapa

 

 

This article was originally published on page 9 of The Star on November 22, 2008

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1 & click_id=14 & art_id=vn20081122081800869C600765