400 animals auctioned off

AN AUCTION of more than 400 animals held at Thomas Baines Nature Reserve outside Grahamstown fetched more than R5 million on Saturday, exceeding the hopes of organisers.

The annual auction, which was hosted by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency attracted more than 40 registered buyers.

Among the most popular items on the sale catalogue were buffalo, which sold for a whopping R275,000 each, black wildebeest, selling at R1,700 each, while elanden sold for close to R6,000 each.

Other animals included Cape mountain zebras, Burchells zebras and red hartebeests.

Giraffe were also a last- minute addition on the catalogue and the lot raised about R100,000.

Although the animals were viewed on electronic screens, excitement ran high with auctioneer Roy Hayes charming the buyers.

Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency interim CEO Sybert Liebenberg said the auction went exceptionally well and it was a true reflection of the quality of their game management strategy.