Tuli tusker trio plead innocent

February 26 2002 at 10:00AM

By Hanti Otto and SAPA

The three men accused of abusing and mistreating the Tuli baby elephants have pleaded not guilty on charges of contravening the Animal Protection Act.

Ricardo Ghiazza, owner of African Game Services (AGS) where the animals were kept, Henry Wayne Stockigt and Craig Saunders allegedly abused the animals from September 1998 to May 1999.

They appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court on Tuesday

'I deny that this could have hurt them'

The three allegedly deprived the animals of food and used equipment on them that could lead to injuries.

A fifth charge against Ghiazza relates to the absence of a licence to train the elephants.

Ghiazza imported the animals from Botswana's Tuli Block in 1998 to train them for foreign zoos and safari parks.

In his plea explanation, Ghiazza said "ulterior motives may have played a role" in the laying of these charges.

He said the elephants had been in the custody of the National Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) since October 14 1998.

A rope had also been tied between the legs

"The NSPCA had sole custody and care at all relevant times. I have no knowledge of unlawfulness and any allegations of cruelty are disputed," he stated.

In his plea explanation, Saunders denied that he was the owner of the elephants during that period. He said the only incidents he was involved in was when he hit two elephants, named Baby and Tina, with a stick of 40cm by 2,5 cm.

"I deny that this could have hurt them or that it was cruel," he said.

Rick Allan, an inspector of the NSPCA, said he saw an advertisement in a magazine in 1998 asking for sponsorship of a business transaction with the heading: "Save an elephant".

He went there in August 1998. In a warehouse there were seven juvenile elephants. They were chained and Allan told Ghiazza he felt "uncomfortable" with the captivity circumstances.

"Ghiazza said he was open for suggestions. I also saw three mahouts on the premises. Through research I established that the methods used by Indonesian trainers (mahouts) were described as brutal," Allan said.

Ghiazza obtained a warrant and on September 2 1998 he went to the AGS with the police and two colleagues. They were allowed inside the warehouse once Ghiazza's lawyer and veterinarians arrived.

Inside were 14 African baby elephants and one grown Asian elephant.

The elephants had chains around one of their front legs and one on a hind leg. A rope had also been tied between the legs in the shape of an eight, hampering walking.

The case continues.