MOSSEL BAY NEWS - During a snare walk on Wednesday, 17 April, by members of the Dana Bay Conservancy, more than 30 participants scoured an area for snares and traps. In two hours, 17 snares were tagged, pinpointed, dismantled and removed in the area behind the OK Mini Market in Dana Bay.
An anti-snare walk will be held tomorrow, Saturday 4 May, between 10:00 and 13:00 at Great Brak River. Leon Rossouw from the Wildlife Crime Information Network (WCIN) in Mossel Bay will be attending.
Volunteers are asked to gather at the parking area next to the Fire Station in Charles Street. Participants should bring a hat and sturdy shoes and preferably wear long pants as the grass is normally wet. You need a cellphone, wire cutters or pliers, gloves, and a pen to write on the tags, to tag the snares.
Bring some refreshments and water. Signs to help find snares Snares can be made with anything from rope and wire to cable or nylon that cuts into the skin of animals.
Cages are also used for traps. Poachers use pieces of plastic tied to trees for a reason and can be a sign that a snare or a trap is in the area, or they are used to mark a wild trail that is used by wild animals. Look for animal tracks. To find a snare or trap, you must think like a poacher.
Think how and where you would set a snare or trap if you were the poacher. This will help you to find a snare set by a poacher in a specific area.
Tips for volunteers
¦ Take at least three photos of the snare found, using different angles.
¦ Pinpoint the location of the snare found. n Record or write down the information about the area where the snare was found.
¦ Record or write down what material the snare was made of.
¦ Tag each snare found and write your name and cell number on the tag.
¦ Remove the snare. Send the information on WhatsApp to the Anti-Snare Walk group.
When you find a live animal in a snare
Take a photo of the injured animal from a distance, record the location and move out of the area. Alert WCIN.
To receive more information or to join the Anti-Snare Walk, send a WhatsApp to 079 643 9556.
