POACHERS ARRESTED!

WELL DONE NKOMAZI GAME RANGERS.

The Nkomazi Municipality Game Rangers carried out a stakeout on the Groot Draai/Verdwaal Farm (also known as the Mkombo Farm) next door to Marloth Park, on the night of 23 June 2015.  Game Rangers Terence, John, Temba and Lucas lay in the bush for 5 hours before the 3 suspects arrived.  One poacher was arrested and shortly thereafter the other 2 suspects that had escaped, were apprehended. 

The next morning an operation involving the Municipal Game Rangers and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency Poaching Unit was carried out.  The suspects were made to lead the team to their snares and photos were taken of their activities.  They were then made to remove 32 snares. However, there were so many more that the rest will be removed by Jaco Minnaar, Senior Nkomazi Game Ranger and his team of Field Rangers, shortly. 

John, Terence, Lucas and Themba

Photographic evidence of the slaughter was taken and sent electronically to the Chief Nature Conservation Officer of NKLM, Velly Makwakwa and to Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.  The poachers admitted guilt and paid a fine.  With the quantity of animals killed, it was evident that these poachers were not only eating the meat themselves but selling it as well.

The carnage was dreadful.  The target animal was warthog.  In addition to the snares there were 2 slaughter areas and 3 sites where biltong had been hung.  Large slabs of fresh meat were found hanging in the bush. There was also an area where a fire had been lit and remains of warthog meat on skewers was found.  The pain and suffering of these animals does not bear thinking of!

     Banana tree cables used for the snares

       The dreadful cruelty

Strands of cable carefully placed also make a good snare!