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Argument about who should feed lions may end up in court
The department of environmental affairs and tourism in Limpopo Province is being sued for almost R500 000 by the SanWild Wildlife Trust because they failed to pay for the feeding of a pride of 9 lions.

According to SanWild the department refused to pay the sum of R495 083.00 that has been paid for meat the lions consumed since they were brought to SanWild in September 2004.

Louise Joubert spokes person of the SanWild Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre said that the department of Environmental Affairs in Limpopo and the Asset Forfeiture Unit confiscated the animals from Moholoholo in Hoedspruit.

“The lions were stolen from the Timbavati Private Game Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park. The department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism brought the lions to us with an undertaking to pay for their upkeep. Three large males and two females were brought to SanWild. One of the females was pregnant and subsequently gave birth to four cubs”.

“The provincial department of environmental affairs only paid our 1st account and have failed since then to pay any further accounts” said Joubert.

According to her it costs SanWild R3000.00 a month to feed a single lion in cattle carcasses.

SanWild also takes care of another 12 lions. Their total costs in feeding comes to around R65 000.00 per month.

Ms. Natasha van Wyngaardt, SanWild’s legal council said that the summons was served on the department on the 2nd April shortly after it was lodged at the Pretoria High court.

“The department lodged their defence on the 24th June and denied that they owned us anything for the feeding of the lions” said Van Wyngaardt.

She said that the department must now lodged their opposing affidavit and state why they are not to be held responsible for the upkeep of the animals and then a court date will be set.

Mr. Mava Scott, departmental spokesperson, did not respond to Beeld’s enquiries by our print deadline.

http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2362835,00.html
 

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