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Inspectors from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA discovered grave animal welfare concerns at Eagle Encounters @ Spier Wine Farm outside Stellenbosch during a recent operation.
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Six birds of prey, three snakes and an Egyptian goose were confiscated from the facility.
According to the SPCA, Eagle Encounters, a facility known for its captive bird exhibitions also advertises a ‘rehabilitation’ service for specific injured or displaced wild birds and holds a licence in terms of the Performing Animals Protection Act 24 of 1935 (‘the PAPA’).
This licence grants a police officer, who by the definition of the PAPA is an authorised SPCA inspector, the right to inspect such facilities at any reasonable time. Denying entry to such an officer is a criminal offence.
A court order was obtained from the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court, granting inspectors, inter alia, access to the property for a thorough inspection.
Upon arrival, Eagle Encounters staff once again tried to obstruct inspectors from exercising their statutory powers.
Inspectors then discovered a shed where five birds were being concealed and kept inside crates, covered with towels.
The SPCA found two birds, including a Booted Eagle and a Spotted Eagle Owl, had fractured wings, with one showing a severe maggot-infested wound. They had apparently been under the facility’s care for two and three days, respectively, without veterinary care.
Additionally, three snakes were also found concealed in plastic containers behind a washing machine inside the shed, also without water.
The shed was filled with hazardous tools and open paint containers, indicating a hazardous environment.
Further investigations revealed two Lanner Falcons tethered inside their enclosure with a restrictive rope of less than 34 centimetres.
This tethering, considered cruel by the SPCA, was done despite the birds being in an enclosure.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has previously warned Eagle Encounters about their hygiene standards, housing conditions and tethering of birds. The facility will now face further criminal charges.
Additionally, a complaint will also be lodged with CapeNature, the permitting authority, due to suspected breaches of their permit.
It is believed that the facility had also denied access to a CapeNature official.
During the inspection, the facility’s veterinarian arrived. While acknowledging the inadequate conditions, he tried justifying the facility’s actions.
The SPCA said that the veterinarian also became verbally aggressive, attempting to defeat the administration of justice and intimidate the consulted wildlife rehabilitation veterinarian, even threatening to report her to the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).
‘In any reputable wildlife rehabilitation facility, the well-being of animals remains paramount,’ said Dr Karin Lourens of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.
‘This entails ensuring their environment is clean, stress-free, and equipped with essentials like species-specific enclosures and proper perches.’
‘Regardless of the size of their temporary housing, animals must always have continuous access to food, water, and daylight.’
‘Particularly for creatures like snakes, provisions like hiding places and water are non-negotiable.’
‘It’s imperative to recognise that many animals entering rehabilitation are not just physically compromised but also traumatised from capture and potential dehydration. Ultimately, rehabilitation centres owe it to both the animals and the public who entrust them with these vulnerable creatures to uphold these standards.’
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Picture: Supplied / Cape of Good Hope SPCA
