Weeks of tears and intense trauma at the hospital finally gave way to relief with the news that Naledi, a young witch magus, had been severely punished. (Photo: Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital/Facebook)
“When an animal dies because of human greed, it is a tragedy; when that animal carries an unborn life within her, an entire future generation is gone with her.”
That is why the team at the Johannesburg wildlife veterinary hospital is delighted after the settlement of a case that is now considered a historic milestone for wildlife conservation.
Weeks of tears and intense trauma at the hospital finally gave way to relief with the news that Naledi, a young witch magus, had been severely punished.
This historic ruling is a final yet bittersweet chapter in a case that already began in June 2023 when Naledi was confiscated during a police operation in connection with illegal wildlife trade.
“When she arrived here, her condition was one of the worst our team had ever seen in a hospital – she was severely dehydrated, starving, emaciated and already had kidney failure,” says an official post from the hospital.
During the investigation, the team realized that Naledi was also pregnant. (Photo: Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital/Facebook)
However, in the midst of the urgent battle to stabilize her medical condition, the vets made another tragic discovery. During the investigation, the team realized that Naledi was also pregnant. However, the weeks of extreme starvation and abuse in the claws of her poacher meant that her unborn little one already had almost no chance of survival.
This did not prevent the team from throwing everything into the battle to assist Naledi.
“Her unborn child was already severely harmed due to the prolonged starvation and extreme stress she had to endure. Despite intensive treatment, fluid therapy and continuous monitoring, Naledi died just five days later due to the severity of her condition.
“We didn’t just lose Naledi. We lost her unborn child as well.”
(Foto: Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital/Facebook)
However, Naledi’s rescuers now find solace in the “unwavering action of the legal system” which shows that the plundering of South Africa’s natural heritage will not go unpunished.
Naledi’s poacher was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in the Molopo Regional Court last week.
In addition to this, the magistrate also ruled that the poacher’s vehicle – with an estimated value of approximately R800 000 – must be declared forfeit to the state.
“We are sincerely grateful to the officials of North-West nature conservation for their unwavering commitment in the case, and are extremely grateful to the public prosecutor, Adv. Bennie Kalakgosi, for his continued zeal in combating wildlife crime.”
The hospital further emphasized that successful convictions in cases like this are simply not possible without passionate people behind the scenes fighting for voiceless animals.
“Cases like Naledi’s are emotionally devastating for our team, but they also remind us why this work is important. Every rescue, every affidavit, every court appearance and every late night we fight for these animals matters.”
(Foto: Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital/Facebook)