Action Alert

Complaints and concerns from the general public alerted the NSPCA to an article in SA 4 x 4, Volume 14, No 4: - a Naboomspruit high school advertising a bird hunt on the land of local farmers who have children at the school. The school itself is the “charity”.

“Prizes will be given for the largest comb, the longest spur and the heaviest bag of birds. Accommodation will be in the school hostel. There’s room for 25 teams of 4 guns each that will set out to bag francolin and guinea fowl.”

“It promises to be a weekend of great shooting, terrific camaraderie and a great opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause.”

Investigations by the NSPCA led to confirmation that an organised bird hunt would be run as a competition from 20 to 22 June.

In addition to ethical matters, including the active involvement of a school in an activity of wanton killing (and for the “benefit” of the school), the NSPCA believes that the entire concept is one of killing for fun and sport. The NSPCA believes there is also the issue of wounded birds. It would be a violation of the Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962 to shoot a bird and leave it with injuries to die.

The NSPCA expresses disgust at the entire activity which it believes needs to be exposed in the public interest. This is unadulterated violence – killing made into a fun competition. It not only demonstrates reckless disregard for life but is a horrific example to set for all our citizens. This event needs to be held up to the public eye, condemned for what it is and those involved – organisers and participants – ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

Levels of violence in our communities and in our schools remain in the spotlight. We ask what kind of message this activity sends out. Certainly not a message of compassion or regard for life.

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