Update:
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has commented on the death of a female Aardvark that washed up at Sunset Beach, Milnerton, on Friday. Photographers, Alex and Juanita Aitkenhead, discovered the body and suspect the involvement of animal trafficking.
An autopsy, conducted by attending wildlife veterinarian Doctor Luca Mendes, ruled out drowning as a cause of death.
The statement reads:
“The aardvark, an adult female, was in otherwise good condition, with no signs of external trauma that might have indicated how she came to be floating in the sea. Examining her heart, he noticed conditions that would indicate that she had suffered from heart failure and some fluid on the lungs would indicate shock lung; which is a state most often caused by suffocation (such as being kept in a box with no ventilation might induce).”
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA will continue to investigate this “mysterious event” and will be looking at camera footage and taking into account reports received from several eyewitnesses to help solve this case.
If you have any information, please contact the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on 021 700 4140 or email [email protected].
Cape Town photographers Alex and Juanita Aitkenhead captured a female African Ant Bear (Aardvark) washed up at Sunset Beach, Milnerton, on Friday at around 6pm.
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds has removed the animal and handed it over to wildlife services for evaluation.
The aardvark is a nocturnal mammal native to Africa. It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata. A small population is found in the Western Cape’s Peninsula and along the Garden Route.
Sometimes referred to as the “Cape anteater”, these mammals have a long snout to sniff out food. They can weigh up to 80kg and pair only during the breeding season, after a gestation period of seven months.
The aardvark is born with conventional incisors and canines at the front of the jaw, which fall out and are not replaced. Adult aardvarks have only cheek teeth at the back of the jaw. They have large toes, each with a robust, shovel-like nail for digging and burrowing.
In terms of population, there are no definitive counts because of their nocturnal and secretive habits. However, due to their large range, they maintain sufficient numbers.
Still, it’s an uncommon occurrence to see one washed up on the beach.
Alex commented: “We are convinced it was a trafficked animal that died and was tossed overboard, maybe one or two hours before we found her, as she was in an immaculate condition when discovered in the surf.” This is yet to be confirmed.
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Picture: Alex and Juanita Aitkenhead