About 80 people and 62 chickens were escorted out of Newlands Forest on Saturday, 10 February after visitors and animal lovers raised alarm about an alleged religious sacrificial ritual.
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As per News24, the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) security WhatsApp group received several messages around 9:39am about a ‘group of people coming into Newlands Forest with live chickens’.
Witnesses reportedly alleged that an ‘unknown congregation’ was preparing for some form of religious ritual in the forest along the stream. Facebook comments on the Newlands Forest Conservation Group alleged to have witnessed ‘chickens being carried upside down by their wings’.
According to SANParks law enforcement spokesperson Lauren Clayton, the group was escorted out of the forest because events or gatherings such as this are not permitted without a permit. She says the group did not consult of inform SANParks of their plans.
A total of 62 chickens were accounted for. ‘The SPCA engaged them regarding rules and regulations of animal welfare,’ Clayton adds.
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The Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s communication manager Belinda Abrahams told News24 that the chickens were intended for religious sacrifice, and confirmed that the leader of the group was issued with a warning not to mistreat the animals and that the correct protocols needed to be followed.
‘Upon arrival at the scene, our inspector Ayanda Ngcope was directed by bystanders and met two workers who hiked with her to where the party had gathered.
‘The inappropriate handling of the animals was addressed with those who were carrying chickens by their wings and our inspector educated the group on humane handling and the need for humane slaughter.’
As per the City’s Animal Keeping By-law on keeping and slaughtering of animals for religious, cultural, ceremonial and own consumption purposes, no person may ‘(a) slaughter any animal at any place other than at a registered abattoir; (c4) in the case of religious and cultural slaughtering, an application must be made in writing, 14 days prior to the event; and (8) stating ‘blood and other waste products from the carcass must be disposed of in a manner which will not become a public health nuisance’.
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Also read:
TMNP strategises to tackle illegal bark stripping at Newlands Forest
Picture: Henrique S. Ruzzon / Unsplash
