Concern as load-shedding takes its toll on animals

The organisation says the latest round of rolling blackouts does not only have an effect on humans, but could also lead to the suffering of animals.  

"For example, there's some intensive farms in South Africa like your poultry houses where the birds are reliant on the electricity to maintain their environment. So if there is no electricity in those systems, systems can fail and birds will die for lack of ventilation and heat stress," says the SPCA’s Grace de Lange.

She says fish farmers are also suffering massive losses due to the lack of electricity.

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"On one specific farm, a farmer informed us they have lost over 180 000 fish. it’s a problem we have been trying to address with Eskom since December last year, telling them about our serious concerns related to load shedding when it comes to farm animals. Basically, their response has been they wanted our metre number.”

De Lange says electricity plays an important role in the farming sector.

"Electricity plays a crucial role in animal farming. It drives the system and equipment that creates the ideal environment to keep the animals in full health and vigour. Lighting, heating, ventilation, electric motors which run feed lines – electricity is at the core of a productive intensive farming system,"

The organisation is urging farmers to make use of generators.

"There are a number of subsistence and emerging farmers that may not have the financial means to purchase back-up generators, and even if farms do have these, there is still a risk that when electricity is supplied again, the voltage may be too low which may result in the failure of ventilation systems, water pumps, cooling and heating systems, food lines.

"The NSPCA strongly urges Eskom to take serious cognisance of the concerns raised, and to consider the welfare of the sentient beings that rely on a constant electricity supply to survive."