THE DIARY OF A PROBLEM ANIMAL || PART 1

 

Solve the Problem, Don’t Eliminate It.

BY SONNY MNCEDISI DUBE

A problem animal, really? That’s what they call me these days, its like I don’t have a name anymore. I come in peace and I come not on purpose, I toil in search, both of food and of refuge. I live in fear, fear of poison, snares, traps and most obviously a bullet that has my name engraved on it. I move with stealth for this is only how I know to stay alive. I sleep with both my eyes open for from the go, humanity ever played a foe. I don’t poke unless I’m poked, I merely respond to torture and acts of malice. The exercise of my fury is a mere defensive mechanism. Nature could not make us the same nor did it grant us like habitats. I roam to and fro the bushes, to the thoroughfares and beyond, it is within my nature to do so, but to the humans I’m a nuisance, a monster who needs to be eliminated as soon as a decade ago. Word of my unwelcome presence in the vicinity has like smoke, spread swiftly and invisibly through society. I’m hunted as I speak, there is a price on my head and a bullet hissing my name somewhere and everywhere, with the instruction of shooting to kill.

Snares and traps lie in wait for my soul and a poison-marinated meal eagerly awaits my empty belly. Problem animal! Am I really a problem? I would say I’m misunderstood but I guess I will never know. Problem is the badge that I wear now, a badge that outcasts and ostracizes myself and my kind from society. A badge that draws a stark line of enmity between humans and nonhuman animals. A badge that does little or nothing in solving human-wildlife conflict. I weep as I speak and ask the human earnestly, please Solve the Problem, Don't Eliminate it.

The Synopsis

The study of wildlife law inevitably brings one to learn that amongst many animal categories there is one notorious group called ‘problem animals’. Before progressing any further it is judicious to outline a list of animal categories as outlined. The list includes but is not limited to specially protected animals, dangerous animals, fish family and problem animals, the latter class which is priority of this discussion. Animals listed under the problem animal bracket in the Parks and Wildlife Act [Chapter 20:14], Eight Schedule [ section 80] include the baboon (papio spp), wild or hunting dog (lycaon pictus), spotted hyena (crocuta crocuta, black backed jackal (canis mesomelas). To put it simply, problem animals are by definition damage-causing animals or animals that are disruptive to human activity. A sample definition of the Law Insider Dictionary defines a problem animal as animals causing damage or creating the potential to cause damage to public health and safety, infrastructure, or private property. It is of utmost significance to note that many animals though not listed in the Eight Schedule as problem animals are by definition problem animals hence the human-wildlife conflict is not limited to those statutorily declared to be problem animals.

In the wake of human-wildlife conflict problem animals suffer an unfortunate fate in the hands of frustrated and justifiably angry humans, be they farmers or non. They[animals] encroach human territory and the latter usually respond with equal fury and at this stage the conflict becomes full swing. Human-wildlife conflict therefore usually ends in tears with problem animals killed or badly injured. These are tears of joy(relief) to the farmer whose livestock fell prey to the animal but are real tears for conservationist. This concise digest highlights the fact that the resolution of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe and beyond should take a more eco-centric stance, with employment of amicable and less severe measures in alleviating the gravity of the aforesaid conflict. In other words, in the wake of human-wildlife conflict animals must be treated more humanely and not be subjected to torturous acts.

Animals are most of the time doing what they are programmed to do, that which is natural in their world hence humans must acknowledge the fact that they share the world with these sentient beings. Animals do not necessarily intend but do end up in undesignated areas. Territorial lines become faint, sometimes due to the destruction of the animal’s natural habitat and mostly due to food shortage which sends them on a scavenging spree. The damage occasioned by problem animals is indeed unideal and unacceptable but it is this authors’ emphasis that the response to the same must not only be proportionate but must not be radical as to aim to eliminate the animal. It must be endeavoured in all degrees to pursue less rigorous measures in favour of those which promote conservation and preservation of species biodiversity.

In the same vein, it postulated in the Cape Nature’s Landowners’ Guide to Human-Conflict that the labeling of some animals as problem animals has resulted in many animals being relentlessly persecuted and exterminated, with devastating impacts on the environment and its ecology.

Ideal measures to handle the human-wildlife conflict include but are not limited to

   erecting wildlife deterring devices such as [Scarecrows, radios, LED lights],

   suitable and secure fencing,

   employing guard dogs, corralling,

    proper husbandry of stock,

     removal of carcasses and lone lambs which attract predators,

     not keeping livestock in remote areas without watch,

    flashlights, noise bells,

    protective collars on livestock, keep stock in a kraal or somewhere safe during the night, be vigilant of the presence of the problem animal in your area etc.

It must be noted to the reader that measures such as poison controls, use of hunting dog packs, wire snares and gin traps are in terms of the TRAPPING OF ANIMALS (CONTROL) ACT [Chapter 20:21] illegal, and are prosecutable and punishable offences at law. The aforementioned Act provides for a regulated use of certain class of traps in exceptional circumstances.

In the final analysis, Human-Wildlife Conflict shifts society’s perception of animals adversely but it must be noted that an understanding, both general and scientific of animals is a great impetus towards mitigating the gravity of the aforesaid conflict. The author is of the view that the terminology ‘problem animal’ itself is misplaced and militates against the protection of the species listed as such. The term problem animal gives society a mistaken view of this group of animals hence society reacts to them with such vindictiveness and cruelty that is said to be deserved, which is not true for these fellas are only doing what they are by nature programmed to do.

 

 

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them………” [Mathew Chapter 6: 26]

 

 REFERENCE NOTE

The above piece was among other texts completed with the aid of the Cape Nature’s Landowners’ Guide to Human-Conflict: Sensible solutions to Living with Wildlife, Speak Out for Animals’ Animal Law Statute Book compiled by Advocate Everlasting V Chinoda, the Parks and Wildlife Act [CHAPTER 20:14], the TRAPPING OF ANIMALS (CONTROL) ACT [CHAPTER 20:21] and lastly the Law Insider’s Sample definitions of problem animals.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SONNY MNCEDISI DUBE is an LLBS Student at The University of Zimbabwe; A member of Speak Out for Animals Student Chapter and a Freelance Writer amongst other things.

sonnymncedisi@gmail.com

0718533598

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