A young tiger cub, discovered being kept as a pet in a makeshift wire enclosure at a home in Pietermaritzburg, has been relocated to Pretoria Zoo. The cub was found at a property in Northern Park, Chase Valley, following reports of a tiger being spotted roaming the yard of a residential home, according to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo.
The discovery was made by Ezemvelo’s Pietermaritzburg honorary officers who, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) Stock Theft Unit and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), visited the property to investigate. Upon arrival, they found a male tiger cub, estimated to be between four to six months old, confined in inadequate conditions. The animal was immediately confiscated.
“The tiger was held at a property in Chase Valley, Pietermaritzburg, and was being kept in a makeshift wire enclosure,” said Mntambo. “The cub was taken to the Free Me Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for initial care and rehabilitation before its transfer to Pretoria Zoo.”
Free Me Wildlife reported that the cub weighed just over 17 kilograms and was placed under infrared light upon arrival to help regulate its body temperature. It was also given proper nutrition and a bed of hay to ensure its comfort during the initial phase of rehabilitation.
After securing the necessary permits, the cub was transported to the Pretoria Zoo on September 19, where it will receive specialized care and long-term accommodation. Pretoria Zoo, which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), is the highest security facility for wildlife in the country.
“The tiger remains under the direct protection of the DFFE and cannot be released to a private sanctuary due to its status as evidence in an ongoing legal case,” said Mntambo. “The future of the cub will only be decided once the court case concludes.”
Authorities have opened a case of illegal possession of the tiger at Townhill SAPS, citing violations of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance and the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA). Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife emphasized their commitment to enforcing wildlife regulations, highlighting the need for continued collaboration with law enforcement to address such incidents swiftly.
The incident is the latest in a series of troubling cases involving exotic pets in South Africa. Free Me Wildlife stressed that it would not support the rescue of animals from the illegal wildlife trade only to see them returned to it. This reflects broader concerns about the welfare of tigers kept as pets and the risks they pose to public safety.
Previous incidents underscore the gravity of the issue. In early 2023, a young female tiger was captured on surveillance footage roaming near an office complex in Edenvale, Ekurhuleni. Earlier, another tiger named Sheba escaped from a smallholding in Walkerville, Johannesburg, and caused significant harm, including the mauling of a man and the deaths of two dogs and a pig, before being shot.
Kelly Marnewick, a senior lecturer in nature conservation at the Tshwane University of Technology, highlighted the lack of regulation surrounding exotic pets like tigers. “Tigers are exotic animals, and currently, there are no specific permits required to keep them, similar to keeping a goldfish or an African grey parrot,” she explained. “This poses a significant risk to human safety, particularly in urban areas, and also raises welfare concerns for the animals.”
According to Douglas Wolhuter, manager of the NSPCA’s wildlife protection unit, there were at least 16 residential properties housing tigers in South Africa in 2021. Complaints about tigers have been rising as awareness of the issue grows.
The ongoing saga of exotic pet ownership in South Africa highlights a critical need for stronger regulations and public education on the dangers and responsibilities of keeping wild animals as pets.
Leave a comment