Poaching

[Melaka]

It's good to see work being done at the international level and some of the middlemen being convicted. Poaching will never stop unless the international market can be shut down.

[Elsa]

Suspected *** Poachers Arrested in the KNP

South African National Parks (SANParks) today confirmed that on the morning of 1 July 2022, a tourist reported to the Malelane Ranger hearing two gunshots when on the road between Malelane and Skukuza.
The location was given as north of Afsaal.
In response, a helicopter, K9 and rangers were immediately dispatched to investigate the report.
The helicopter flew over the area and located one fresh *** carcass and an injured *** lying next to the carcass.
Further investigations revealed a further two *** carcasses in the immediate area.

A second helicopter and Rangers were dispatched to collect the free-running hounds, while the first helicopter deployed Rangers and a K9 to locate the tracks exiting from the scene.
The Rangers and K9 continued to follow the outgoing tracks for a few kilometres, after which the free-running hounds were released to continue with the follow up.
The hounds indicated a specific area where three suspects were found and arrested.
The suspects are all from Mozambique and were in the country illegally.
They were found in possession of a high calibre hunting rifle, ammunition, horns from three rhinos, cell phones and other poaching equipment.

The three will face charges related to the incident in due course once the SA Police Services have finalised their investigation including establishing whether the alleged offenders have been involved in other similar or other crimes previously.

The KNP Managing Executive, Gareth Coleman congratulated all the anti-poaching teams on the success thanking the actions of the tourist which led to the arrests saying "being our ears and eyes is very important in this difficult anti-poaching campaign.
The KNP is vast and Rangers can't be everywhere therefore it is crucial for anyone who notices anything suspicious, to report it immediately to assist the Rangers in reacting swiftly.
It is critical that such activities are reported directly to SANParks Ranger Services or management rather than reporting on social media" concluded Coleman.

The injured *** had to be put down due to the serious bullet injuries it sustained.

[Stark]

So sad to hear of the killed ***, but it's heartening to see a park visitor report what was heard and the swift response by the anti-poaching units to catch the poachers. We can all do our part.

[Melaka]

All the *** we saw on our recent visit had been dehorned. Does this mean that even they are at risk?

[Tamsy]

All the *** we saw on our recent visit had been dehorned. Does this mean that even they are at risk?

As far as I am aware this is a deterrent, but I have sadly heard about poachers still targeting dehorned rhinos for the stump . Although I can't remember the source of this information and it might not be accurate.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[Elsa]

Skukuza CAS 06/12/2014
Finalised in Skukuza RC.
Accused : Terrence Makhubela, found guilty on 2024-02-23 on 8 counts.
2024-03-07 he was sentenced as follows:
1. Trespassing in a National Park - 2 years imprisonment
2. Illegal hunting of Rhinoceros - 10 years imprisonment
3. Possession of unlicensed firearm with obliterated serial number. - 6 years imprisonment
4. Possession of firearm with intention to commit an offense. - 4 years imprisonment
5.Possession of unlicensed firearm. - 5 years imprisonment
6. Possession of unlicensed ammunition. - 2 years imprisonment
7. Conspiracy to commit an offense. - 4 years imprisonment
8. Possession of a dangerous weapon. - 1 year imprisonment
Sentences in count 4, 5, 6 and 8 to run concurrently with sentence in count 3.
Sentence in count 1 to run with sentence in count 2.
Accused is automatically declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of Act 60 of 2000.
Sentenced to effective 20 years imprisonment (edited).

[Melaka]

Let's hope that acts as a deterrent.

[MATTHYS]

Poacher Gets 17-Year Jail Sentence

[Melaka]

That offence was committed nearly eight years ago. Why does it take so long to get them to court?

[Ouma Biskuit]

Sadly crime and poverty are the driving forces behind such continual acts. Poaching will unfortunately never be eliminated just like crime. Its just a matter of trying to continually manage ways in which to prevent the surge of it.

Small victories however, go a long way.

[Elsa]

Monday, August 26, 2024, Kingpin 1 of 1
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
SANParks WELCOMES THE SENTENCING
A POACHING KINGPIN
South African National Parks (SANParks) welcomes the sentencing of poaching syndicate leader and kingpin, Simon Ernesto Valoi who goes by the name of “Navara” to a 27-year imprisonment by a Mozambican court.
His accomplice Paulo Zukula also received a hefty 24-year jail sentence.
The kingpin comes from Massingir, a district about 330km north of Maputo on the border adjacent to the Kruger National Park (KNP) and is one of the ***-poaching bosses, known for targeting the park.
The conviction is of multiple crimes.
The court found Valoi and Zukula guilty of crimes relating to financing terrorism, poaching, the sale of protected species, money laundering, the use of banned weapons, the use of forged documents, the sale and purchase of illegal guns and vehicles and criminal conspiracy.
For a long time, his wealth and popularity as a recruiter of young men from his home that he would send across the border to hunt rhinos shielded him from prosecution until he was finally arrested in July 2022.
Valoi and Zukula were apprehended by the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) officers in Maputo after a coordinated intelligence operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission; whose mission is to disrupt and help dismantle organised crime networks trafficking in wildlife, timber and fish.
During their arrest, authorities seized *** horns.
Several of Valoi’s relatives are also reported to have been detained on the grounds that they assisted the organised crime network.

South African National Parks Facebook

[Melaka]

Always good to see poachers caught and sentenced.