Animal sanctuaries under threat
Local animal sanctuaries have been particularly hard hit by Covid-19 lockdown regulations with some nearing the brink of collapse while others have had to think out of the box to cushion the financial blow.
Most sanctuaries rely heavily on visits from tourists to keep afloat and with regulations up to now not catering for this, these operations have been hit hard.
All are however adamant that they would not allow the animals they care for, to become casualties in this pandemic.
Lara Mostert of the SA Animal Sanctuary Alliance (Saasa), which includes Plettenberg Bay sanctuaries Birds of Eden, Monkeyland and Jukani, said it costs them just over a million rand a month to care for the more than 5 000 animals in their care. The different species all have different dietary requirements, which add to the costs.
Reliant on tourism
Thousands of tourists, 60% of which are international visitors, pass through their three sanctuaries every year, enabling them to operate. “With the tourism industry restrictions, we have not been able to open, which has caused tremendous financial strain.”
She added that they have been fortunate to receive some limited payouts from the Temporary Employer Relief Scheme (Ters) fund to pay their staff, who are essential to the upkeep of the sanctuaries, but other expenses are mounting.
When Government announced that hiking trails would be allowed to open under advanced Level 3 regulations, Mostert said they saw an opportunity to cushion the financial blow to some degree.
Visitors can from 1 July hike through Plettenberg Bay bird sanctuary, Birds of Eden.
Because Birds of Eden offers visitors a self-guided meander through the sanctuary, it has always been a “hiking trail”. “So we decided to open Birds of Eden as a hiking trail. There will be strict protocols in place when we open on 1 July, from screening to sanitation,” Mostert said.
The other two sanctuaries will remain closed for now as these require guided tours. “We are thinking of implementing virtual tours for these sanctuaries in the future,” said Mostert.
Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary on the outskirts of Plett has been “devastated” by the lockdown regulations. “We have received no relief from Government and have had to relieve our staff of their duties and do everything ourselves,” the sanctuary’s Michael Caithness said. The sanctuary also relies heavily on visitors to the establishment to cover food, electricity and other maintenance costs.
In an attempt to keep afloat, Caithness said they introduced virtual tours, but this did not take off.
Because the sanctuary is set in a 20ha forest, Caithness said they have now decided to also open their hiking trail to the public.
Birds of Eden.
Cash-strapped
After 18 years of operation, the sanctuary has had to appeal for donations from the public to keep going. “Unfortunately everyone is cash-strapped at the moment.”
Elzette Lategan of the Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre said they too are going through tough times. “As it stands at the moment, we will only be able to open to the public for tours on Level 1,” she said.
They offered virtual tours to try and generate income, but there was hardly any interest. They have also offered products like vouchers online.
Their application for assistance from Government for non-profit organisations has not been successful. “Our rehab centre is still operating. We are adamant that, it doesn’t matter how difficult things become, we will not turn an animal away and will not let any animal suffer as a result of this pandemic.”
Mostert and Caithness echoed Lategan’s sentiments, saying their animals come first.
Anyone who wants to assist any of these establishments can visit their websites for more information: www.tenikwa.com, www.lawnwoodsnakesanctuary.co.za and www.birdsofeden.co.za.
Photos: Ewald Stander
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News