Now, our next story is not for the squeamish - it is about the carcass of a dead animal - so, if you cringe at such sights, we urge you to take a TV time out.
A dead tapir was found on the side of the northern highway near the airport dead last night. Initially, the speculation was that it had been knocked down, but today, a much more sinister and sanguinary storyline appeared. Chereese Halsall reports:..
This is the Facebook that got everyone's attention last night - including the Forestry Department. Forest Ranger Edwardo Pott spoke to us off camera:
Edwardo Pott - Forest Ranger
"We received some information that somebody posted it on Facebook that they had knocked down a tapir, and apparently his two back legs were missing."
But when they got there this morning - they found a mature female missing all four legs - someone had carved her up:
Edwardo Pott
"Well it looks, so it looks like somebody butchered the animal, and for us to find out exactly what happened we would have to conduct a post-mortem on the animal."
It's hideous act - and it's also a criminal offence:
Edwardo Pott
"First of all, it's a protected animal and it's protected by the forest department, I mean it's our national animal and it's something that the forest department does not tolerate. At any point it's not recommended. If anybody out there has any information on whatever happens we would like them to call us, to call the forest department to give us more information."
Jules Vasquez
"So, what's the fine in dealing in this meat for whoever carved it up?"
Edwardo Pott
"It would be I would say $10,000.00 or above."
A large fine but finding the culprit or culprits is probably impossible. And there may be more than one - because the investigation so far suggests that the animal may have been dumped here and then carved up.
Still, this area is within a biological corridor and Pott urges caution:
Jules Vasquez
"Now is it a concern going forward because this stretch of road is very busy at all times that we may have a tapir crossing in this area, that's what the Facebook post said."
Edwardo Pott
"Well I believe we would need some signs there to prevent another occasion like this."
Jules Vasquez
"Alright so, but in the meantime, what would you tell drivers in this area?"
Edwardo Pott
"To be cautious you know, to drive cautiously and to always look out for the animals because it's a corridor, so animals do pass here every time. So, we recommend that the drivers be cautious when driving along this road."
Now, no amount of driver caution can save this mountain cow - but perhaps her terrible and traumatic death can raise awareness that - for some ruthless poachers - the national animal is hardly more than meat.
The Tapir's carcass was taken away for a post mortem to be conducted.
Email
Print