You may be aware that there have been Himalayan Tahr’s living on the slopes our beloved Table Mountain for many years. The population has dwindled in recent times, and it was decided to remove all of the exotic creatures for good. However, a have few managed to evade the sniper’s barrel. Until now.

Last week Thursday Steven Otter was quietly hiking up Platteklip Gorge when he came across a freshly-shot tahr carcass. Steve came across two rangers who were on the scene, and was promptly told that the animal had broken a leg.

Bizarrely, Otter received a call from one the rangers a few days later, explaining that no meat had been wasted. In clearer terms, they had eaten the tahr. Or made a suit from it.

Table Mountain National Park spokesperson Merle Collins said rangers weren’t supposed to shoot the animals for meat and none had permission to do so. They do, however, have permission to shoot the animals for population control purposes.

The problem she says is, “A few can reproduce and can become many in a short period,” and that the tahrs prevented the re-introduction of the indigenous klipspringer as well as causing lots of the damage to the natural vegetation.

Nothing wrong with a little venison braai every now and then, hey?

[Source: SaturdayArgus]