A cooperative effort between police and anti-poaching officials broke up an illegal hunting operation that had been taking place at private Mpumalanga game reserve.
Acting on a tip, Badplaas police and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency’s (MTPA) anti-poaching unit arrested 20 people for illegally hunting birds, small antelope, bush pigs, and warthogs at the Nkomazi Game Reserve. The suspects – 14 men and six minors – appeared in court last week, and are scheduled to appear again in September.
Inspector Joel Zulu, Badplaas police spokesperson, told News24 last week that his team received a tip that a “hunting competition” had been planned on the reserve. The police subsequently arrested the suspects and confiscated 44 dogs – purebred greyhounds and fox terriers – that were being used to hunt “anything that moved.” In addition to the dogs, authorities confiscated meat and illegal firearms.
The dogs also were treated for minor injuries, de-wormed, and received rabies vaccinations after being taken to the Barberton and Nelspruit SPCA.
Inspector Zulu noted that poaching is an ongoing problem.
We struggle with illegal hunting, which is very common in our policing areas.
Here’s to Inspector Joel Zulu and the Badplaas police!
Image source: http://www.flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
About Rhishja Cota-Larson
