ST FRANCIS BAY – St Francis Animal Rescue has been working tirelessly to rescue Leopard Tortoises from illegal captivity in Sea Vista, relocating dozens of the protected animals to safety at the St Francis Links Golf Estate.
According to Susan Rae Fox, founder and chairperson of St Francis Animal Rescue, the organisation maintains a long-standing reward for any information leading to the capture and removal of illegally confined tortoises from the Sea Vista community.
Fox said that the rescue efforts address a cultural practice in Sea Vista where many people believe that keeping tortoises brings good luck and protection for the home and family.
“Some tortoises are kept for muti, and others are killed and eaten,” said Fox.
She said that most tortoises that have been rescued have been attached to a chain drilled through their shells.
Fox said that the chain is so short that they are confined and prevented from wandering.
She further said that they are placed on sand, dirt or tiles, without any food or water.
“All the tortoises we have rescued have holes in their shells from being tethered. The tortoise shell contains many nerve endings, connected to the central nervous system, and making a hole in the shell, for the purpose of chaining the animal, causes great pain and distress,” said Fox.
“Many shells are also decorated with paint or nail polish, for the purpose of identification.”
Fox said that the practice is illegal under the Animal Protection Law, which states that tortoises may not be captured, killed or kept in captivity.
Thankfully, she said that they seldom have a problem removing a tortoise from Sea Vista.
“Sometimes we identify ourselves to the ‘owners’ of captured tortoises and warn them about a fine for transgressing the law, but, if there is no one on the property, we simply cut the chain and remove the tortoise to safety immediately,” Fox said.
Kevern Burger, an employee at St Francis Links who has been working with St Francis Animal Rescue for the last eight months, partners with the organisation to provide a new home for the rescued animals.
The estate, classified as a reserve with a great deal of wildlife, serves as an ideal sanctuary.
Burger said that there are many more tortoises living on the estate as the sanctuary continues to provide refuge for these rescued tortoises.
“The protection of wild animals is our top priority. It is important for us all to try to conserve wild animals as much as possible,” said Burger.
Fox said that during the rehabilitation process, they have released dozens of tortoises, of all sizes, onto the Links Golf Estate, where they quickly adapt to life in this natural paradise.
She said that the rescue process begins with addressing the animals’ immediate needs.
“The first thing we do is take them to the dam on the 9th hole of the Golf Course, where, because they are so dehydrated, many will dip their heads deep into the water for some time, drinking to their heart’s content. Others launch into the water for a brief swim amongst the reeds at the edge of the dam, to wet their shells and sip mouthfuls of water,” said Fox.
“It’s a joy to see these beautiful, lumbering vertebrates, cruising through lush shrubs and feasting on green grass, after months of hideous imprisonment.”
Thanks to consistent educational campaigns, Fox said that when residents see tortoises in a yard, they contact her and share the address for them to remove the tortoises safely.
“Our rescue work is ongoing and hugely gratifying,” said Fox.
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