The anti-poaching team at Zambeze Delta Conservation and Anti-Poaching in Mozambique intercepted 10 gin traps left by poachers.
A gin trap is a mechanical device designed to catch an animal by the leg or head using spring operated jaws, usually with a serrated edge or teeth. These traps inflict severe pain and traumatic injuries.
The team received tip-offs on these dangerous traps and worked quickly to remove them from the wild before they could ensnare animals.
‘Great work from Bravo team,’ the organisation posted on Facebook. ‘Working on intel these Gin traps were confiscated and arrests made. Fantastic that these traps were taken out of circulation before they were able to do any harm.’
The brave team of conservationists that found and removed the traps.
The team at Zambeze are made up of 22 members who patrol the Coutada 11 camp of the Zambezi Delta. ‘The poachers, now more than ever, know if they poach in Coutada 11, there is a big chance of being caught,’ the organisation says on their website.
Headed by coordinator Craig Windt, the unit is mobile making use of a Land Cruiser and a bike squad. ‘Our motorbike unit is a quick reaction unit. It consists of 5 bush bikes with 4 rangers and Craig. They are able to follow foot paths and access areas that you can normally only get to on foot. They are also able to cover a very big area in a day,’ the organisation continues.
‘Another advantage of this unit is that if a PH [professional hunter] sees any sign of poaching he can radio in and within 30 minutes the unit can be deployed. The rest of the unit do daily foot patrols and frequently set ambushes primarily targeting the routes used to take the meat out of the area. In addition to salaries, the rangers receive a reward for each gin trap brought in (about 50% of the street value). We now see less and less of these cruel devices.’
News that Mozambique is toughening up on game laws pertaining to poaching is much welcome. Hopefully implemented shortly, convicted poachers will face jail time of 2 to 8 years.
Picture: Facebook/Zambeze Delta Conservation and Anti-Poaching
