City staff at Table Bay Nature Reserve found 19 empty angulate tortoise shells on the morning of 1 November 2025, signalling a brutal poaching incident that has shocked staff and local conservationists, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Reserve officers discovered the shells on footpaths leading to the reserve’s Environmental Education Centre. The animals had been removed from their shells, indicating they were likely killed and harvested for meat or muthi, the City said.
‘This is a serious case of animal cruelty and a violation of environmental protection laws,’ Alderman Eddie Andrews said, noting the removal of internal organs and discarded shells.
The City has reported the matter to the local police and shared photographic and video evidence with law enforcement, CapeNature and the SPCA.
Investigators suspect two men entered the reserve earlier that morning after paying an entrance fee and carrying a fishing rod. Reserve managers submitted footage of a vehicle linked to the incident to investigators as part of the probe.
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The angulate tortoise is endemic to southern Africa and a protected species, valued for its role in local fynbos and coastal ecosystems. Conservation groups warn that targeted removal of such animals undermines fragile urban biodiversity and can have lasting ecological effects.
Provincial and national legislation carries significant penalties for biodiversity crime, and authorities say they will pursue a full investigation. Local reserve staff asked visitors to report suspicious behaviour and to remain vigilant during visits (Cape Nature).
Community volunteers and birdwatchers described the scene as distressing and vowed to support increased patrols and neighbourhood watch efforts around the reserve.
The City said it will update the public as the police investigation progresses.
If you have information about the incident, contact the Table Bay Nature Reserve office or Cape Town SAPS directly.
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