A 54-year-old man from the Alldays area had to fork out a R50 000 fine after striking a deal with the State regarding the hunting of an elephant.

Steven Barber from the farm Weltevreden, situated in the Alldays district, appeared in the Louis Trichardt Regional Court on Monday on a charge of hunting wild or alien animals. This charge relates to an incident in August 2006 on his farm.

According to information available, Barber played host to a group of Spanish hunters. During their visit, an elephant hunt was arranged for them. Barber, who did not have elephant on his farm at the time, then apparently lured one of his neighbour’s elephants onto his farm. It is said the elephant was chased through the fence with the help of a helicopter and then hunted.

As part of an alternative dispute resolution, Barber had to pay R50 000 to his neighbour, Mr Leif Eric Rampqvist. He also presented a letter of apology to Mr Rampqvist during his court appearance.

The R50 000 was paid, on condition that Rampqvist pay it over to conservation organisations of his choice. According to Barber’s lawyer, the money has already been paid over to Rampqvist and he has made it known that he wants to contribute half of the money to the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the other half to the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa.

The money paid to EWT will specifically go towards their rhino anti-poaching fund.