Week in Review: 24-30 March 2025

The NSPCA remains relentless in its fight against animal cruelty, exposing shocking neglect at a notorious predator facility, seeking justice for Raygun the baboon, and uncovering illegal gambling linked to cockfighting. We also shine a light on the often-overlooked suffering in aquaculture and celebrate the vital work of our Inspectors in empowering communities. Thank you for standing with us – together, we are the voice for the voiceless.

The tiger had gnawed, licked, and scratched at her front paws to the extent that she had exposed her bones, and tendons.

The NSPCA’s Wildlife Protection Unit uncovered shocking neglect at a notorious tiger breeding facility in Klerksdorp, North West, during a follow-up inspection on 24 March 2025. Our inspectors found a severely injured tiger who had resorted to self-mutilation. Her suffering was unimaginable – her exposed bones and tendons a testament to prolonged neglect.

With no viable alternatives, the NSPCA was forced to humanely euthanise the tiger. When attempting to retrieve her for veterinary examination, the facility’s owner shockingly refused, stating, “That’s money.” Inspectors were then prevented from leaving the enclosure.

This facility has long been linked to the illegal predator bone trade. The NSPCA is preparing to prosecute the case and will relentlessly fight. South Africa’s commercial predator industry thrives on cruelty, and we will not stand by while animals suffer for profit.

The NSPCA has officially handed over the docket for the brutal killing of Raygun, a baboon who was killed on 6 February 2025, to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Delmas. Despite facing obstruction, threats, and a lack of community cooperation, the NSPCA remained steadfast in its mission to secure justice.

A pathology report confirmed Raygun sustained injuries before his death, but evidence tampering and reluctance from witnesses hindered the investigation. Nevertheless, the NSPCA compiled all available evidence, ensuring charges were laid. The case now rests with SAPS, who will appoint an Investigating Officer.

“This was not an easy case,” said Chief Inspector Douglas Wolhuter of the NSPCA’s Wildlife Protection Unit. “Despite resistance at every turn, we ensured the case was pursued.”

The NSPCA thanks the public for their unwavering support. Justice for Raygun is a stand against cruelty, reaffirming our commitment to protecting all animals.

Your Voice on Social Media

• “Thank you for all you are doing. You have our full support!” – Facebook/Kurt Stone Music
• “What possible pleasure can anyone get from that level of cruelty? Surely there was a humane way of handling the situation? Community/school education?” – TikTok/@g1rll1v1ngl1fe
• “Clearly the integrity and core values of children at that school are missing, no excuse for this type of behaviour.” – Facebook/Cheryl Hertzberg Jacobs

The NSPCA has uncovered that the Eastern Cape Gambling Board (ECGB) has enabled a licensed bookmaker to promote and profit from illegal cockfighting. The bookmaker, which we’ll call ‘Roosterbet,’ offered bets on cockfighting streamed from the Philippines – despite the practice being banned there since 2022.

South African law prohibits promoting or profiting from animal fighting, yet the ECGB defended Roosterbet’s actions, claiming no laws were broken. The NSPCA reported the matter to the National Gambling Board and escalated it to the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, who confirmed the gambling was illegal. However, the ECGB shockingly rejected the Minister’s directive to halt these activities.

The NSPCA condemns the ECGB’s stance and calls for urgent intervention to uphold the law and protect animals from cruelty. Read the full investigative feature on the NSPCA website.

March 29th marks World Day for the End of Fishing and Fish Farming. Many people do not recognise fish as sentient beings, leading to their welfare being overlooked. Investigations have revealed disturbing conditions, including mass deaths due to mismanagement, poor water quality, and lack of backup power during outages. Legal protections for fish remain weak, and prosecutions for neglect are rare, though the NSPCA is pursuing a case involving hundreds of catfish left in horrific conditions. Listen to our podcast, NSPCA Today, where we dive into this topic.

Inspector Lebethe from the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit engaging with a Port Nolloth community member and her pets durnig a recent upliftment visit.

Last month, Inspector Mpho Lebethe and Senior Inspector Kgakgamatso Moseki from our Special Projects Unit visited Port Nolloth, Northern Cape. Their mission? To uplift, educate, and assist the community in providing better lives for their animals.

Beyond enforcement, our Inspectors focus on education and support—helping pet owners create safer, healthier environments. By engaging with residents, they foster compassion and responsibility, ensuring every animal receives the care it deserves.

A heartfelt thank you to the Port Nolloth community for welcoming our team and embracing positive change!

That’s a wrap for this week’s Week in Review! If these stories resonated with you, check out the full articles and join the conversation on our social media pages.

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Your support helps us continue making a difference for animals – whether by sharing our updates, raising awareness, or donating to our cause. See you next Sunday for another Week in Review!