Cheetah attack facility probe complete

A visitor's wound after she was bitten by a cheetah at the KwaCheetah breeding facility in the Nambiti Game Reserve, near Ladysmith. Picture: Supplied

A visitor's wound after she was bitten by a cheetah at the KwaCheetah breeding facility in the Nambiti Game Reserve, near Ladysmith. Picture: Supplied

Published Sep 1, 2015

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Durban - Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife investigators have completed their inspection of the KwaCheetah Breeding Project and are in the process of drafting a report on their findings.

The facility was closed to the public after an elderly woman was mauled by one of the wild cats early this month.

Glenda Dixons, from Durban, had been visiting the establishment for the second time when she was mauled.

It is not clear what triggered the attack, the third one in two months. The first happened in June and the others happened on August 5 and 6.

Dixons’ grandson, Josh, did not reply to voice and text messages left on his phone.

Clarke Smith, chief executive of the Nambithi Game Reserve, where the project operates, said the reserve welcomed the investigation.

“All our enclosures are 60x70 metres and are above the required standard. Safety precautions are taken and we ensure that children are not allowed into the enclosures. We will just wait for the completion of the investigation,” Smith said.

The reserve has not been granted an operational permit, but was still awaiting the outcome of the management plan submitted to Ezemvelo when it applied for a “Keep in Captivity” permit.

Focusing

Ezemvelo spokesperson, Musa Mntambo, declined to divulge what the investigators were looking for, or what areas they would be focusing on.

“The inspection of the facility was completed last week and the next step is for the investigators to draft a report. A lot of inspection was done, but I can’t divulge the details because it’s between Ezemvelo and the reserve. For example, we look at many things, from the enclosures, the fencing, and the gate, to how animals meant to feed the cheetahs are slaughtered,” said Mntambo.

Ezemvelo acting chief executive, Dr David Mabunda, warned that failing to act as required by legislation would lead to an operational permit not being granted.

“It has to be noted that application for a permit does not automatically imply that a permit will be granted; rather that Ezemvelo will consider all prevailing facts before reaching a decision.

“Applicants conducting operations without obtaining a permit prior to commencing their activities do so at their own risk.

“The public has a right to ask if such organisations have necessary permits, and are advised not to visit such places should they not be happy with an explanation provided,” said Dr Mabunda.

Daily News

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