The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has come under fire after a political stunt involving a stuffed giraffe head sent wildlife rescuers rushing to what they believed was a real emergency.
The prop was placed in a sinkhole in Mogale City to demonstrate its depth and highlight concerns about the danger the hole poses to residents and businesses.
DA uses giraffe prop at Mogale City sinkhole
DA Shadow MEC for Roads and Logistics Evert Du Plessis used the stuffed giraffe head as part of the demonstration.
Images of the prop were also shared by DA Mogale City representative and former mayor Tyrone Gray in posts about the sinkhole and the municipality.
However, the unusual stunt was reportedly mistaken for a genuine wildlife emergency.
The Owl Rescue Centre said it received an urgent report that a giraffe was trapped in the sinkhole in Hekpoort.
Wildlife rescuers rush to Hekpoort
According to the centre, its team was already busy with another rescue in Midrand when the call came through.
The rescuers left that operation and travelled through Friday traffic to Hekpoort, believing they were responding to a live giraffe in distress.
When they arrived, they discovered that there was no trapped animal. Instead, the giraffe head was a prop being used as part of the political stunt.
The centre said the unnecessary trip cost its team several hours that could have been spent assisting animals in genuine emergencies.
Rescue centre criticises political stunt
The Owl Rescue Centre also criticised the decision to use the stuffed animal as a political prop.
It said using what appeared to be the remains of a once-wild animal to score political points showed a lack of respect and empathy for wildlife and biodiversity.
The incident has shifted attention away from the DA’s intended message about the sinkhole, with the rescue organisation instead raising concerns about the impact the stunt had on its work.
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