UNDERSTANDING SNARE POACHING |
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The simplest definition of poaching can be regarded as the illegal harvesting of wild fauna and flora - animals and plants. Historically, whilst most attention has been focused on elephant and rhino poaching, the most common type of poaching doesn’t involve horns or ivory at all. The most common form of poaching uses simple pieces of wire. The equipment is easy to come by with techniques so simple that even children take part in this form of poaching – snares and snare poaching. |
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Snares are made of various materials - typically from wire or steel rope, although the closer you get to urban centres the more varied the materials seem to be. But all snares have the same purpose; capture and kill wildlife. In South Africa we have found two prominent snare stays: - The first type is a dry twig. One end is sharpened and pushed into the ground on either side of an animal path, the opposite end is slit with a knife in which the noose then lightly sits.
- The second type of snare stay is a dry blade of grass. One end is tied to the noose and the other end to over-hanging vegetation. These stays are strong enough to keep the noose open but weak enough to break free when an animal has been caught in the snare.
Snare poaching is extremely dangerous, with many reports of poachers being killed by animals. However, snare poaching is an extremely complex situation with no on-size-fits-all solution. Poachers are not necessarily the devil - most are simply trying to survive the only way they know how. |
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Key challenges in combating snare poaching: - Many do not know that snaring and trapping is illegal and considered poaching. SA legislation allows for legal hunting that follows strict rules and regulations. Snares and traps are completely illegal.
- There is a distinct clash between cultural and traditional beliefs, environmental legislation and species conservation. Snaring is a form of traditional hunting in Africa that has been passed down from generation to generation. Some community members believe they are entitled to this activity as it is their traditional and cultural right, irrespective of whether it is illegal and unsustainable.
- The misconception that snare poaching is purely for survival of poor or underprivileged individuals. Ironically, bushmeat is just as expensive as legal meat. Some simply prefer the taste or believe consuming it gives them a higher social status.
- The most difficult issue is the privileged vs the under-privileged mentality. With the under-privileged often being held to a different standard - an unfortunate result of our racially charged history.
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Snare poaching can decimate local wildlife populations and pose a serious threat to human health. It is a type of wildlife crime that many of us will come into contact with, and thus it's vital for us to be aware of and understand the complexities associated with snare poaching. |
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DON'T MISS THIS MEMBER TALK! |
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Big Wall Climbing in Central Asia In August 2024, Wes Antonites from Friends and Allies, along with four other South Africans, an American, and an Austrian, ventured into the Ak-Su Valley in Kyrgyzstan. Over the three weeks of living in the valley, they experienced some amazing Alpine granite, with teams ascending the superb 800m Perestroika Crack, the 1400m French Route, the Little Russian Tower, and a whole lot more. With 8700m of vertical climbing, 203 pitches climbed as a team. There are some epic tales of sends and bails When: Wednesday, 23 October 2024 Where: Robin Hills Scout Hall Time: 18h30 for 19h00. |
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iNATURALIST TRAINING SESSION 2 |
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Eunezia Sitoe is from CREW (Critically Rare and Endangered Wildflowers). She will be talking to us about how our iNat observations can help us protect specific populations of flowers that few ever get to view. She will show us what we need to be looking out for on our hikes and expeditions. When: Wednesday, 30 October 2024 Where: Robin Hills Scout Hall Time: 18h30 for 19h00. *** |
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JOIN THESE UPCOMING MEETS! |
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CAMPING UNDER THE JACARANDAS by Roger Lu |
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With the late arrival of the Spring rain, the campers saw limited Jacaranda flowers and so we will simply have to re-visit this venue in a few weeks' time! Saturday enthusiastic climbers tackled the Fernkloof rock walls, while unavoidably dropping the rope into the stream but climbing next to and above the water prove to be cool and pleasant in the summer's heat. On Sunday, hikers hiked up to the Paardekraal escarpment and saw the aftermath of the veld fire just a month ago that provided a hugely different looking scenery and a lot of the trail markers destroyed. Hikers constantly had to back track to confirm that we were still on the right track. We ended up doing some turns that were not planned and did a total of 17km hike instead of the planned 10km. It was an experience not quite like others! |
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*** PRIDE HIKE by Malikah Parker |
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The Pride Hike was an absolute blast! Everyone had a fantastic time exploring the mountains together. It was a beautiful reminder that nature is inclusive, welcoming all who seek its embrace. We can't wait to do it again! |
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Fundraising: Experienced fundraisers needed for conservation and mountaineering projects, including land acquisition. Outreach: Join community projects that share the mountains with the next generation of mountaineers. Meet Leaders: Give back by leading regular and varied meets for MCSA members and the public. PR & Marketing: Educate and inform current and future members through social media, club gatherings and talks. Mountain Search & Rescue: Train in a team ensuring knowledge transfer and rescue capability, or raise funds for callouts. Click on the links below to contact the sub-committee directly. |
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TOGETHER, WE CAN STRENGTHEN OUR CLUB'S FUTURE |
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Every donation to the club, big or small, makes a difference. Your support in this crucial time will help us pay off our debts promptly and maintain a strong financial foundation. You can donate by transferring money via EFT with your annual membership fees or donate through our web portal. Please consider a recurring payment, which will make a big difference over time. |
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It is not what the club can do for you, it is what YOU can do for the club. |
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Explore. Discover. Connect. Protect. |
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MCSA Office, CityROCK Building, 173 Republic Road, Fontainebleau
Randburg, Gauteng 2032, South Africa |
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