The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) made a heartbreaking decision after they were forced to euthanise a severely neglected tiger at a breeding facility in Klerksdorp, a site now linked to the illegal wildlife trade.
The tragic incident came to light when NSPCA inspectors responded to reports of a tiger that had sustained severe injuries in an attack by another tiger.
Upon returning to the facility to assess whether the injured animal had received appropriate veterinary care, inspectors were confronted with a scene they described as "unimaginable suffering."
"The wounded tiger had resorted to self-mutilation. She had gnawed, licked, and scratched at her front paws to the extent that she had exposed her bones and tendons," said the NSPCA spokesperson Jacques Peacock.
"Her nails had been entirely worn away - save for one - leaving raw, penetrating bone clearly visible."
According to inspectors, the tiger was barely moving and struggled to reach food placed nearby.
After determining that the animal's condition had deteriorated due to lack of medical intervention, NSPCA officials made the difficult decision to humanely euthanise the tiger to end its suffering.
The situation escalated when the Wildlife protection unit attempted to remove the tiger's body for veterinary examination and the owner prevented them from exiting the enclosure by refusing to open the gates.
The facility's owner refused, reportedly stating, "That's money."
"Prioritising the safety of our staff, the NSPCA made the difficult decision to leave the carcass behind," Peacock explained.
Investigation revealed the facility lacked proper permits for keeping tigers, which are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This international agreement strictly controls the trade of tiger bones and derivatives.
The NSPCA noted that the facility has long been under scrutiny for connections to the illegal predator bone trade and other criminal activities.
Despite this history, provincial authorities have failed to take decisive enforcement action.
"Just ten days before our visit, the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism conducted their own inspection," said an NSPCA spokesperson.
"The continued operation of this facility raises serious questions about regulatory oversight and potential complicity in ongoing animal abuse."
The NSPCA has confirmed it is pursuing legal action against the facility owner.
"We will be prosecuting this case to the fullest extent of the law," Peacock stated, emphasising its commitment to fighting against cruelty perpetrated by profit-driven breeders.
Animal welfare advocates have pointed to this case as emblematic of broader problems within South Africa's captive predator industry, which has faced international criticism for enabling trade in animal parts and poor welfare conditions.
"Behind the high fences of facilities like this, animals suffer in silence for financial gain," said Peacock.
"We will continue to expose these cruel operations and fight for the welfare and well-being of all wildlife."
Cape Argus