A North West man was arrested after authorities found three lion skins as well as mandrax tablets at his home in Hartbeesfontein.
Hawks members, a Klerksdorp response team and the Stilfontein stock theft unit raided the house and the 23-year-old was charged with contravening the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act and for being in possession of illegal drugs.
The teams reportedly followed up on a tip-off they received.
Provincial Hawks spokesperson Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso said it was still unsure whether the man was involved in the ‘canned hunting’ industry, according to SA People. An investigation is underway.
#Lion skins found in raid by SA Police.
❓Were these lion skins the result of South Africa’s gruesome captive lion breeding industry?
❓What are authorities doing to stop the onslaught of lion exploitation?https://t.co/GPVQKxrXgD @BarbaraCreecy_ @environmentza @Blood_Lions pic.twitter.com/ObSOxoLPbg
— Paul Tully (@paul__tully) May 5, 2020
Image: Hawks
