Four men were arrested poaching rhino in the Kruger National Park on Thursday, according to SANParks.
SANParks Media Specialist Isaac Phahlaa said the men were arrested in two separate parts of the park.” The arrests took place in two different sections of the park amid latest statistics released yesterday (Wednesday) of 321 rhinos having been poached in the park this year alone,” said Phahlaa.
According to SAPA, three men were arrested in the Olifants section in the early hours of Thursday. They were found in possession of an AK-47 assault rifle (with ammunition) and an axe. Another man was shot and wounded in the Houtboschrand section on Wednesday. A .458 hunting rifle, ammunition, and poaching equipment were confiscated.
“A shoot-out ensued and one poacher was wounded and arrested at the scene. Unfortunately, the other two managed to escape back into Mozambique,” Phahlaa added.
Original source – SAPA
The arrests coincided with the release of the Department of Water and Enviromental Affairs Rhino Issue Management (RIM) report during a discussion in Kempton Park on Wednesday. The report emanated from The Rhino Issue Management Process, headed former CEO Mavuso Msimang in 2012.
Msimang and his team hosted 16 workshops and 400 round-table and one-one consultations with various stakeholders in an attempt to establish a common understanding on rhino conservation in the face of poaching (South Africa: Rhino Issue Management Report Published By the Department of Environmental Affairs). ‘The report incorporates current thinking on sustainable rhino conservation by acknowledged rhino specialists, ecologists and a range of other experts. The consultation process resulted in clear agreement that the country’s rhinos should be conserved. Every effort should be made to protect the threatened species from the sustained poaching onslaught,”said a statement released by the department (read the full RIM report here).
Meanwhile, the number of rhinos killed in South Africa since January 2013 has increased to 514, with the Kruger National Park being the hardest hit. 321 rhinos have been in the park while 54 have been poached in Limpopo, 53 in North West and 43 in KwaZulu-Natal. 143 have been arrested for poaching since the beginning of the year with 67 arrests made in Kruger National Park.
Statistics
According to SANParks, 514 rhinos have been killed since the beginning of 2013 and the numbers are continuing to rise. You can help in the fight against poaching by identifying and reporting any suspicious behaviour that could lead to the apprehension and conviction of suspected poachers.
To report incidents of poaching and tip-offs call the anonymous tip-off lines: 0800-205-005, 08600-10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.
For more rhino statistics, visit the SANParks website.
Main image by Scott Ramsay: www.yearinthewild.com
Related: Six simple ways to help end rhino poaching.
