Effective livestock security begins with meticulous recordkeeping. Farmers are urged to maintain detailed animal identification and movement logs. These records not only help track herd numbers accu-rately but also provide essential information when reporting theft to authorities or trying to reclaim stolen animals.
Clearly marking animals is equally important. Branding, tattooing, or tagging with RFID or visual ear tags makes it much harder for stolen stock to be passed off as untraceable. It also aids in rapid identification during routine checks or when animals are recovered by police or neighbouring farmers.
Securing livestock in well-maintained kraals or pens during vulner-able periods, especially at night or when animals are young, remains a cornerstone of prevention. These enclosures should be sturdy, lockable, and