Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

[H. erectus]

Busy week,.... Hah, keeping occupied while on state
payrolll,...and then we still cover for these idiots!!!
I cannot believe it anymore!!!

[Toko]

Three poachers caught in Kruger

One suspect was wounded and detained whilst his two accomplices managed to escape

13 May 2014 | Nicolene Smalman

SKUKUZA - Three poachers were arrested in the Nwanetsi region of the Kruger National Park (KNP) during two incidents on Saturday and Sunday.
According to a Tweet by SANParks, rangers made contact with two suspected rhino poachers on Saturday. Both were arrested and a .416 hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment recovered.
The following day, rangers made contact with three suspected rhino poachers. One suspect was wounded and detained whilst his two accomplices managed to escape. A .458 hunting rifle and ammunition were recovered. The two suspects were being tracked towards Mozambique.
The poachers were expected to appear in court later this week.

[Richprins]

Good to see them "wounded"...

[Toko]

22.5.2014 07.31 pm
Two suspected rhino poachers killed in shootout

Two suspected rhino poachers were shot dead on Thursday during a shootout with rangers at Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park, the SA National Parks said.


The rangers had come into contact with three men in the park on Thursday morning. A shootout ensued and one suspected poacher fled while the other two were shot, SANParks spokesman Ike Phaahla said in a statement.
A hunting rifle, a pair of horns and poaching equipment were seized.
In a separate incident, four men were arrested by the SA Police Service near the Malelane gate into the park also on Thursday.
A hunting rifle, nine rounds of ammunition and poaching equipment were seized.
“There is a strong suspicion that the group might be responsible for other poaching incidents in the KNP, including the rhino at Phabeni that was left alive after its horns were hacked off,” Phaahla said.
It was not immediately clear when the men would appear in court.
- Sapa

[Flutterby]

SAPS APPREHENDS SUSPECTED POACHERS

22 May 2014: SANParks today congratulated the SAPS who intercepted a group of suspected poachers who were on their way to the iconic Kruger National Park, possibly to illegally hunt rhino.
The suspect’s vehicle was spotted by the SAPS on the N4 who followed the car to the Malelane main gate and managed to stop it.
Four male suspects who were in the car were arrested, a .303 hunting rifle, nine rounds of ammunition and poaching equipment was seized. The car in which they were driving in was also confiscated as it could help in further investigations. There is a strong suspicion that the group might be responsible for other poaching incidents in the KNP, including the rhino at Phabeni that was left alive after its horns were hacked off.
The four suspects are in custody while the police continue with their investigations.

In a separate incident, Crocodile Bridge Rangers made contact with a group of three suspected poachers earlier this morning. Two of the suspects were fatally wounded in the ensuing shootout and one managed to escape. A hunting rifle, a pair of horns and poaching equipment was seized.

The arrests bring to 57 the number of people arrested in connection with poaching this year, with the KNP having lost 266 animals

Enquiries: Ike Phaahla: Media Specialist, Tel:012 426 5315 Cell :083 673 6974 or Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

[Richprins]

The suspect’s vehicle was spotted by the SAPS on the N4 who followed the car to the Malelane main gate and managed to stop it.

And here is the problem, SANParks...

That is how brazen this whole business has become. How were they planning on getting through the gate? Where were they going to overnight?

[Flutterby]

They could have gone in as day visitors. I think the more worrying question is how would they get out, unless vehicle searches are a thing of the past.

[Richprins]

It is unlikely that they would poach during the day. No, they had contacts!

[Richprins]

Malelane Gate Staff should be investigated, IMO!

[Toko]

Why Conviction Rates for Wildlife Crimes are so Low

Nothing really new, but sums up a few problems