Gift of the Givers
Local members of the media who were outside the Seaview Predatory Park to witness a critical intervention by humanitarian group, Gift of the Givers were met with hostility by park management on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Gift of the Givers announced their planned intervention on their official Facebook page that soon caught the attention of the media in Gqeberha, who were invited to attend proceedings.
On Thursday, however, when two of their water tankers arrived, the media was left lingering outside a locked gate.
Management at the Seaview Predatory Park who requested the intervention initially barred entry to journalists who were also instructed that no recordings were to be made.
Finally, Gift of the Givers Project Manager, Ali Sablay arrived with his team and offered a quick media briefing near the gate.
"It's been advised if we could have the media here [near the gate] and only the water truck go in at the moment to refill so we don't overexcite the animals," he said.
Two of their water tankers arrived at the park on Thursday morning, carrying 10 000 litres of water, while close to 180 kg of fresh fish was also delivered for the two Siberian Tigers and three Nile Crocodiles remaining at the park.
During the briefing, Veterinary Surgeon Dr Annie Mears said 37 animals including tigers, lions, two small cats, and jackals have already been relocated.
Some of these were re-wilded to game reserves while others were put into other sanctuaries.
She said the remaining animals will be moved soon but the relocation process depends on the issuing of permits.
Asked whether the park would continue operations, the manager, Jo-Ann Meiring refused to comment.
Meanwhile, Sablay has commended park management for keeping operations under devastating budgetary constraints and appealed for donations to the public.
