Free Access to National Parks in the Cape Region during SA National Parks Week
South African National Parks (SANParks) will once again open its gates to South Africans during SA National Parks Week, taking place from 7 to 13 Sept...
SANParks SEAM Team arrests suspect in possession of 234 units of abalone
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Sea, Air, and Mountain (SEAM) special operations rangers successfully intercepted a vehicle with 234 units of abalone during a counter-poaching operation.
The SEAM team pursued a vehicle of suspected abalone poachers in a high-speed car chase, which ended with the suspects crashing their vehicle. Four suspects emerged and ran away in different directions. SEAM pursued one suspect on foot, while other members secured the vehicle. The highly skilled K9 Hailey apprehended the suspect, who was subsequently arrested. Three of the suspects escaped.
Upon inspection of the vehicle, it was discovered to be carrying a substantial quantity of abalone. The seized contraband includes a total of 234 abalone, with 76 shucked and 158 in a whole state.
Authorities are currently conducting further investigations into the incident, and the arrested suspects will face charges related to the illegal possession and trafficking of abalone.