On Safari With Gert 14 December 2015

14 December 2015

Another drizzly morning after a night of rain, today was considerably cooler, but still good game viewing conditions.

We were very lucky first up, as the first animals we saw, about 200 meters from camp, was a pride of lions moving along the road and into the bush. We took a road running parallel to the direction they were moving in, hoping to catch another glimpse, but instead encountered 3 large, old male buffalo. We observed them for a while, still waiting to see if the lions emerge anywhere close. This did not happen and we moved on to see what else was in store for us.

We were lucky enough to again encounter the same 3 male cheetah, a few kilometers from where we got them yesterday. This time they were sleeping on a large termite mound, in the open, but about 80m away, a distant, but clear visual...

Along the road we had 3 different sightings of hyena, including 2 cubs of just over 2 months old suckling with another young clan member repeatedly poking her nose in there to the annoyance of the mother, who sounded regular warning growls. She eventually jumped at the young intruder with teeth bared and paws flailing, which got the message across and scared her off, at least temporarily.

After breakfast we headed back to camp for an afternoon break.

In the late afternoon we went for a short drive through some lush terrain with fresh green grass, thriving on the recent rains. At one spot we had Impala, warthog, white rhino, zebra and elephant feeding in close proximity of each other and it was a great experience to see so many different species together. At the end of our drive we were temporarily entertained by a Pearl-spotted Owlet on the lookout for unsuspecting prey at dusk. These little (80gm) owls are notorious hunters and I have even seen them attempt to hunt Tree Squirrel before! We watched it calling for a while and show off it's eye-spots, before it was time to head back to camp to conclude another great day's game viewing...

Prince Harry Flies Into Skukuza Kruger National Park

His Royal Highness Prince Harry flies into Skukuza Airport for an update on the poaching. He was met by Glenn Phillips (General Manager Kruger National Park), General Jooste ( Head of Anti Poaching Kruger National Park), William Mabasa ( General Manager communications and Marketing Kruger National Park) and CEO Mr Fundisile Mketeni.

Media Release: SANParks CEO Congratulates Rangers On Arrests of Suspected Poachers In KNP

There has been a rise in the number of arrests of suspected poachers in the Kruger National Park (KNP) since the beginning of April of this year. Since the beginning of this month there have been 22 arrests for suspected poaching activities inside the KNP. This brings to 56 the total number of arrests in the Park since the start of 2015.

KNP rangers, bolstered by additional aerial and canine support, have managed to substantially improve the effectiveness of anti-poaching operations inside the Park.

In a dramatic swoop shortly before sunset on 25 April 2015 SANParks rangers, supported by the Dog Unit, the SAPS reaction team and a helicopter donated by the Howard Buffet Foundation: netted two suspected rhino poachers- following a sighting in the Phalaborwa area of the KNP.

The team recovered a 458 hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment. Two sets of rhino horns were also recovered during the arrests.

In a previous incident on the morning of 22 April 2015, rangers conducting anti-poaching patrols in the southern region of the KNP came across signs of a group of poachers operating in the Park and discovered a freshly killed rhino with its horns removed. The rangers immediately called the Joint Operations Centre in Skukuza for additional aerial and canine support. The newly acquired anti-poaching helicopter along with a ranger reaction team and tracking dogs were immediately dispatched to the area to support the rangers on the ground. Shortly after the arrival of the reaction force, the rangers arrested four suspected rhino poachers and managed to recover a heavy calibre hunting rifle, ammunition, hunting equipment and a fresh set of rhino horns.

Last month a second state of the art Airbus AS 350 B 3E helicopter donated by the Howard Buffet Foundation was commissioned into action. This brings to four the number of helicopters available for anti-poaching operations inside the KNP.

Mr Fundisile Mketeni, CEO of SANParks has congratulated the rangers on the recent arrests.

“SANParks, on behalf of all South Africans, wishes to thank our rangers and our partners in the SAPS and SANDF for their dedication to this fight,” adding: “SANParks is making every effort to increase support to our rangers in the field: enhanced aerial support and the use of the canine units are both becoming an increasingly vital component of our anti-poaching strategy.” “Given the increasing number of arrests, this strategy is clearly paying off,” says Mketeni.

Issued by:
SANParks Corporate Communications

Media enquiries:
Paul Daphne
Head of Communications,SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5072; Cell: 082 806 5409

Reynold Thakhuli
GM Media and Stakeholder Relations
Tel: 012 426 5203 Cell: 073 373 4999

Minister Edna Molewa highlights progress in the war against poaching and plans for 2015

The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, reported back on progress with regards to the integrated strategic management of rhinoceros in South Africa at a media briefing on Thursday, 22 January 2015. Follow the link to view https://www.environment.gov.za/mediarelease/molewa_waragainstpoaching2015

Rhino Poaching Suspects Arrested In Kruger National Park

South African National Parks today (Friday, 12 December) announced the arrests and fatalities of suspected poachers in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in the past week.

Whilst conducting anti-poaching operations on 8 December, rangers in the Phalaborwa area of the Park made contact with a group of three suspected poachers. One of the suspects was fatally wounded during the contact, while the remaining two suspects managed to evade arrest. Poaching equipment was recovered on the scene.

During the early morning of 10 December, rangers on patrol in the Lower Sabie Section of the Park close to the Mozambique boundary, made contact with a group of three suspected poachers. During this incident all three poachers were wounded and arrested. They are currently in hospital under police guard.

In the latest contacts, during the early evening of 11 December, rangers on patrol in the Pretoriuskop Section of the Park spotted a group of three suspected rhino poachers. During the engagement and follow up operation one of the suspects was fatally wounded. A hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered at the scene. The remaining two suspects managed to make good their escape in the enveloping darkness.

In a second contact later the same night, rangers conducting anti-poaching operations in an area nearby, made contact with a different group of suspected poachers. During this incident one of the suspects was fatally wounded, while the other two managed to escape. A hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were also recovered on the scene.

There has been an increase in the number of contacts with suspected poachers in the course of 2014, with a total of 164 suspected rhino poachers having been arrested in the Kruger National Park since 1 January, 2014.

Issued by:
South African National Parks Corporate Communication

South African National Parks Announces Successful Completion Of 1st Phase Of Rhino Translocation

Following a meeting of the Board of South African National Parks (SANParks), held on Wednesday, 26th November 2014, SANParks has announced the successful completion of the first phase of the Strategic Rhino Translocation Programme. 

In terms of this Programme a number of rhino are being moved out ofpoaching hotspots in the Kruger National Park to safer destinations either inside the Park or outside the Park. The focus of the first phase has been on the capture and translocation of rhino from areas of high poaching activity to the safer areas within the Kruger National Park. These are areas where an additional deployment of resources and technology provides a more secure environment for the rhino.

A total of 29 rhino have been moved in the course of October and November from the hotspots into safer areas within the Kruger National Park. Of these 17 have been fitted with tracking devices and have been successfully tracked subsequent to their release. Based on observations through the monitoring programme it has been reported that the translocated rhino have integrated well with the resident populations in the areas to which they have been moved. It has been further reported that none of the rhino translocated have thus far been poached.

According to Mr Kuseni Dlamini, Chairperson of the SANParks Board, “It is early days, but our initial reports are that the rhino translocated within the Kruger National Park are safe and have settled well. As one element among others in our multi-faceted strategy to combat rhino poaching, we are greatly encouraged by the initial outcomes. The capture and translocation of these rhino went off without a hitch, and we would like to congratulate our game capture team for the professional manner in which they have conducted this operation”.

Apart from those rhino moved within the Kruger National Park, there have also been a number of rhino moved to other national parks and reserves, where better security can be provided. This aspect of the programme is on-going and further animals will be moved in the course of 2015. Through moving rhino to protected areas in other parts of the country, SANParks is supporting the establishment and growth of viable rhino populations in a number of protected areas apart from the Kruger National Park.

The rhino sales component of the programme is also at an advanced stage. The sale of rhino from the Kruger National Park has been initiated with a call for bids having been placed in the national media. Upon closure of the time frame for bids on 15 October 2014, a total number of twenty (20) bid proposals plus two (02) late bids were received. A screening of the received proposals in line with the advertised bid mandatory requirements has been concluded. The Bid Evaluation Committee has completed the Best Price Principle Assessment. The bid process is still under the technical evaluation phase, including site evaluations, but an outcome is expected in the near future. The sale of rhino by SANParks to private landowners, who comply with all security and habitat requirements, is part of the overall strategy to support the growth of viable populations in a range of areas in order to provide a basis for securing the protection and growth of the rhino meta-population in Southern Africa.

Issued by:
South African National Parks Corporate Communications

American Teen Shows Compassion For South Africa’s Rhino

A 16 year old teenager from Wilmington, North Carolina in the United States was so distraught when she became aware of the senseless defacement and scourge of South Africa’s rhino population, that she singlehandedly created an informative awareness program in her home town.

Claire MacRae’s mother, Nicki, was born in Durban, South Africa. When the MacRae family decided to visit Nicki’s birth-place and native land, they combined the trip with an exclusive safari to explore South Africa’s sought-after wilderness destinations.

Whilst Claire prepared herself for the journey to Africa, she learned about the diverse wildlife population of Southern Africa. Through her media exploration on the SANParks Honorary Rangers website, she became aware of the perilous plight of our largest horn and tooth bearing species, the rhinos and elephants.

Claire also learned about the SANParks Honorary Rangers’ forum, a volunteer group who supports SANParks on various levels and who plays a key role in the obtainment of funds in support of the on-going rhino war.

As a fervid animal lover, Claire was determined to make a contribution to the cause. She created an information brochure, capturing photos of live as well as dreadfully, mutilated and poached rhinos. Factual statistics and information like the status of the critically endangered black rhinos, conservation organisations which are involved in the campaign and facts regarding this universal crisis, forms the focus of her instructive pamphlet.

Claire involved her friends, family, neighbours and fellow scholars through this awareness program to make uninformed people realise the reality and brutality of South Africa’s most shocking trend. The initiative paid off and concerned people donated money for the cause and thereby showed their compassion and sympathy towards our magnificent, gentle giants.

By the time Claire and her family had to fly to South Africa in 2014, she already raised over $1000 (R11 000) in a very short time. Each donor also enjoyed the exclusive opportunity to sign a specially designed card for the handing-over ceremony in South Africa.

The first part of their trip was spent to walk down memory lane in her mother’s childhood and youth years followed by an unforgettable trip to the Kruger National Park and to Notten’s Bush Camp, situated in Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Claire was astonished by her first ever rhino sighting and took memorable photos of these massive creatures whilst enjoying their wildlife safari. By the end of the MacRae’s tour, Claire had the opportunity to perform her voluntary, self imposed task to do her part for our rhinos. She met Quintin Vermaak, Chairperson of the SANParks Honorary Rangers, Bushveld region and shared her compassion towards our quadruped rhinoceros with him before handing over her worth-while donation. The funds will be generated towards much needed equipment in the onslaught against our precious wildlife.

Claire’s willpower and magnanimity is exemplary and shows that every individual can make a difference in the tug-of-war to protect and preserve South Africa’s rhinos for future generations.

By:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Honorary Rangers

SAPS Crime Intelligence and SARS Disrupt Huge International Rhino Horn Syndicate

In a joint operation, the South African Police Service's National Crime Intelligence Division and the South African Revenue Service's Customs and Excise department took yet another giant leap towards combatting rhino poaching in South Africa.

The team arrested two Vietnamese men who are believed to be part of a large syndicate and recovered a substantial amount of rhino horns at the O R Tambo International Airport (ORTIA).

The two men were booked on a Qatar flight destined for Hanoi, Vietnam, from Maputo. The aircraft made a one-hour scheduled stop at ORTIA during which the passengers were expected to remain inside the aircraft. However, all the passengers were requested to exit the aircraft and proceed to the International Departures area where bags containing approximately 41 kilograms of horns were discovered and the two men arrested.

This is the largest haul of rhino horns seized in one operation in South Africa. It is believed that these horns were removed from rhinos in South Africa. The two Vietnamese men are in police custody and they are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates' Court on Monday, 3 November 2014. Police will continue to work tirelessly to secure lengthy sentences in this case.

In 2012, three Mozambican Nationals, Aselmi Baloyi, Jawaki Nkuna and Ismael Baloyi were arrested for rhino poaching and were sentenced to an effective 25 years imprisonment each by the Phalaborwa Regional Court. Also a few months ago, a man arrested for rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park was sentenced to 75 years imprisonment.

Detectives investigating this case will now be looking for the South African connections forming part of the international syndicate. Anyone with information can call the SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111. All calls can be made anonymously and all information will be treated as strictly confidential.

Issued by:
South African Police Service

54 rhino poaching suspects arrested in Kruger National Park in October 2014

South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced the arrest of six suspected poachers and the fatal wounding of two others in two separate operations. In the first operation, Crocodile Bridge Rangers made contact with three suspected rhino poachers. In the ensuing pursuit, two were fatally wounded and the third managed to escape back into Mozambique. A hunting rifle, ammunition and other hunting equipment was recovered on the scene.

In the second operation, six suspects were arrested by the SANParks Environmental Crime Investigative Unit, with the support of the SAPS, in a follow up operation outside the western boundary of the Kruger National Park (KNP). A hunting rifle, ammunition and two cars were confiscated. The arrests follow two weeks of successful operations, resulting in 35 suspected poachers being taken into custody and brings the total arrests in the KNP for the month of October to a record 54.

The KNP has experienced an increase in armed incursions recently, resulting in 14 contacts between armed poaching gangs and Joint Forces consisting of SANParks Rangers, SAPS and SANDF.

The latest arrests bring the total for the year within the KNP to 144. This is the highest number of suspected poachers arrested in the KNP to date.

Commenting on the latest situation in the KNP, the Acting Chief Executive of SANParks, Dr Nomvuselelo Songelwa, praised the actions of the SANParks rangers, and the SAPS and SANDF forces engaged in the fight against rhino poaching: “I would like to thank the men and women of our Joint Forces for the courage and tenacity they have shown in the fight to safeguard the rhino population in the KNP. We are very proud of them and their actions. We are focused on winning this war at all costs and I can promise South Africans that we will leave nothing to chance in protecting our rhino in this iconic park and in our other national parks” concluded Songelwa.

Issued by:
South African National Parks Corporate Communications

Department of Environmental Affairs notes indictment of South Africans in the USA for rhino poaching-related offenses

The Department of Environmental Affairs has noted the indictment of two South Africans by the United States Department of Justice. The indictment of the owners of Out of Africa Adventerous Safaris is noted. We will monitor developments related to the case. 

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, assisted the US Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in their investigation.

The Department understands that there is a criminal case against Dawie Groenewald and 10 co-accused who are expected to stand trial in South Africa in August 2015 on 1 872 charges including racketeering, the illegal trade in rhino horns, fraud, corruption, assault and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Legal action by the United States Attorney General’s Office comes less than a week after the Police and SANParks officials successfully apprehended 14 suspected rhino poachers in joint operations in the Kruger National Park.

“The success of the joint operations undertaken by the SAPS and SANParks is an example of the commitment of South Africa’s police and rangers to work together to eliminate rhino poaching from our country,” said the Department.

The three highly successful operations had been undertaken in the Kruger National Park between Friday, 17 October 2014, and Sunday, 19 October 2014.

The arrest of the 14 suspected rhino poachers brought to 113 the total number of poachers arrested in the Kruger National Park so far this year.

The Department congratulated all those involved in the operations.

The Department is confident that joint operations such as these will send a strong message to all those intent on poaching any species, particularly rhino, in our national parks, provincial reserves and on private conservation land – that they will be caught and face the full might of the law.

The successful arrests in the Kruger National Park came as the number of rhino poached in South Africa since the start of 2014 increased to 899. The Kruger National Park continued to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa, having lost 581 animals since 1 January 2014.

A total of 109 rhinos have been poached in Limpopo, 74 in KwaZulu-Natal, 57 in Mpumalanga and 53 in North West. A second rhino has been poached in the Northern Cape.

Since January 2014, a total of 282 alleged rhino poachers have been arrested. Among these are an alleged rhino poaching syndicate leader.

South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs

Kruger National Park Joint Operations Net 14 Rhino Poaching Suspects

South African National Parks (SANParks) yesterday, announced three highly successful operations since Friday morning which led to the arrest of 14 suspected rhino poachers. This brings the total number of poaching suspects arrested in the Kruger National Park (KNP) this year to 113.

In a joint operation with members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) on the morning of Friday, 17 October, SANParks Rangers stopped a suspicious vehicle near Skukuza and arrested 5 suspects. A .375 hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment as well as a vehicle were confiscated in the operation.

Later on during the afternoon of the same day, three other suspects were arrested in the Malelane area. During this operation SANParks Rangers, whilst on patrol in this section of the KNP, noticed a suspicious vehicle suspected to be involved in rhino poaching activities.

On Saturday, 18 October, in the Punda Maria section of the KNP, shortly after sunrise, a joint SANParks and SAPS deployment, supported by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) air wing, made contact with three suspected poachers. During the engagement, two of the suspects were seriously wounded and arrested while the third was arrested unharmed. The two wounded suspects were immediately taken to hospital where one later died of his injuries. The remaining wounded suspect is currently receiving treatment under police guard in hospital. A hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were also recovered at the scene. Further follow up investigations in all three operations are currently underway.

Reacting to the arrests, the SANParks Officer Commanding in the KNP Major General (RET) Johan Jooste, commended all the forces involved in the successful operations. “We are in a volatile area that is under tremendous pressure and every time our joint forces make these arrests we are encouraged. This confirms that united we can conquer this scourge of rhino poaching. I am eternally grateful to the cooperation and dedication of these men and women in uniform who face huge challenges in their daily operations but continue to be dedicated to the cause of protecting our natural assets from greedy poaching syndicates,” concluded Jooste.

Issued by:
South African National Parks Corporate Communications

Two Foreign Nationals Sentenced For Rhino Poaching

Today, the Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Yoliswa Siyotula, applauded the Organised Crime Unit of the Hawks in Mpumalanga for securing two convictions against two rhino poachers.

Yesterday, the White River Periodical Court handed down an eight-year sentence to Alvao Fagustino Sifundza from Mozambique for rhino poaching. Sifundza, aged 31, was arrested in the Tshokwane area of the Kruger National Park on 12 April 2014 after a chase by the park's field rangers. His accomplice fled. He was found in possession of a high caliber hunting rifle, rounds of ammunition, a silencer, an axe and a number of items of clothing. Yesterday, the court sentenced him as follows: One year’s imprisonment for trespassing, five years’ imprisonment for the possession of unlicensed firearms and two years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of ammunition. The court further said that the sentence on the trespassing and unlawful possession of ammunition would run concurrently with the sentence of the possession of unlicensed firearms. Sifundza was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

In another case of rhino poaching in the Nelspruit Regional court on Monday this week, a Vietnamese national, Ngoc Cuong Pham, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and fined R1 million for dealing in and for being in possession of a rhino horn. Ngoc was also sentenced to another five years for racketeering, of which three years were suspended for five years. He was arrested with his 13 accomplices in Bedfordview in May 2012 after they were found to be in possession of a rhino horn. The case against the other accused has been postponed to 4 November 2014 for a trial date.

General Siyotula said: "We have a responsibility to protect our wildlife from people such as Sifundza and Ngoc, and to warn other poachers out there that we mean business."

Issued by:
South African Police Service

Six Suspected Rhino Poachers Arrested In Kruger National Park

The South African National Parks (SANParks) announced the arrest of six suspected poachers in the world famous Kruger National Park on Tuesday the 7th October 2014.

The first arrest took place in Kingfisherspruit when patrolling rangers made contact with three suspected poachers. They called for support and the SAPS Helicopter was despatched as well as the Special Operations Unit of the SANParks Rangers Corps. Three suspects were apprehended and found to be in possession of a .458 rifle, ammunition and an axe. In the second incident, rangers in the Crocodile Bridge Section made contact with three suspected poachers. They followed the spoor and called for Helicopter backup, the three suspects were then apprehended. They were in possession of a .375 hunting rifle, ammunition and an axe.

The park has been under tremendous pressure from illegal hunters and has already lost over 500 of these magnificent animals to poachers this year alone.

Congratulating his men on a job well done, the Commanding Officer SANParks, Major General (RET) Johan Jooste said he is glad that the dedication from his team is not wearing thin and that they continue making inroads. “Every individual we arrest, and all the weaponry we confiscate from the suspects, gives us more energy and hope that one day, we will be able to contain and start rolling back this onslaught,” concludes Jooste.

Issued by:
South African National Parks

Media Release: SANParks Begins Implementation Of Rhino Management Strategy.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has begun implementation of a comprehensive rhino management strategy, starting with the relocation and auction of a limited number of white rhinos from the Kruger National Park (KNP). 

This is in line with a rhino management strategy adopted by Cabinet in August this year, aimed at curbing poaching in the country’s national parks.

At the time of the announcement, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, emphasised the importance of relocating a number of rhino from Kruger National Park as soon as possible.

SANParks chairman Kuseni Dlamini said today: “We are now ready to move, and to begin implementation of our entire rhino management strategy.

“Relocation is the core of our approach – not only to combat poaching, but to ensure the continued growth of the rhino population.

“We aim to restimulate growth in large protected areas while creating new rhino strongholds. In this way, we will be able to offset the effects of poaching in the short to medium-term, while expanding rhino range and improving the overall population size.”

Mr Dlamini added: “The strategy is multi-faceted, and includes relocating some rhino from the Kruger National Park to create rhino strongholds in other parts of the country – ensuring that the broader population continues to grow.

“We will begin by relocating rhinos from specific high-risk parts of the park and from areas where there is a high population density, as this will also increase birth rates among the rhinos that remain in the park.

“This will include the relocation of rhinos from high-risk zones to zones of lower risk in the Kruger National Park, as well as to other parks under our control.

“Increasing births and decreasing death rates, through the relocation exercise, will stimulate growth in large protected areas and maximise growth in rhino strongholds – allowing South Africa to offset poaching effects in the short to medium term while also expanding rhino range and growing the overall population size.”

The relocation of rhino and other species from the Kruger National Park has always been part of the SANParks Management Plan, and the relocation of 1 450 rhino from the park between 1997 and 2013 has contributed significantly to the growth of the South African rhino population.

SANParks is currently finalising provisions for the sale of rhino and will call for offers to purchase in a series of newspaper advertisements soon.

The SANParks Board recently cancelled a planned sale because proper governance procedures were not followed.

“We have ironed these issues out and the sale will be fully compliant with our own supply chain processes and our conservation mandate,” Mr Dlamini said. “Planning is already well underway for the first auction of rhinos, which will take place later this year.”

Mr Dlamini emphasised that SANParks will strictly regulate prospective purchasers, and require them to sign agreements to ensure relocated animals contribute to the conservation of the species and the growth of the rhino population as a whole.

"These agreements will be linked to management plans with clear objectives and targets for the growth of populations that are being introduced in new range areas,” he said.

A due diligence process will be followed with all sales, including background checks on prospective buyers, and anyone wanting to purchase more than 20 rhino has to comply with habitat and ecological suitability and security requirements. The due diligence process includes a risk assessment to ensure the safety of the animals, and buyers will be required to present a security plan that ensures the animals’ safety as well as a conservation plan.

The money raised from the sale will be ploughed back into conservation. This includes the purchase of additional conservation land to expand the range for rhinos, the restoration of ecosystems and the employment of additional rangers.

Issued by:
The Board of SANParks
Chris Vick
black
Cell: 083 556 7644
Email: chris@codeblack.co.za

Poachers Arrested In The Kruger National park

Poachers Update - Stolsnek 28/09/14 - In a combined SANParks and SAPS ground and air operation, rangers along with their K9 capability made contact with, and successfully arrested 3 suspected rhino poachers. During the incident, a hunting rifle, pistol, ammo and hunting equipment were recovered. Follow up investigations are underway.

Suspected rhino poaching syndicate remanded in custody

Ten members of a suspected rhino-killing syndicate were remanded in police custody for seven days for their formal bail application hearing on 29 September 2014. 

The suspects, Hugo Ras, his wife, Trudie Ras, and his brothers, Anton Ras and Arno Smith, Bonnie Steyn, a pilot from Ficksburg, Willie Oosthuizen, a warrant officer of the Hawks in Pretoria, Joseph Wilkinson, an attorney from Pretoria, Christoffel Scheepers, Mandla Magagula and Willem van Jaarsveld briefly appeared in the Hatfield Magistrate's Court on several rhino-poaching charges. The suspects were between 30 and 50 years old.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, arrested them last week Friday, 19 September 2014.

On Saturday, 20 September 2014, Wilkinson approached the Pretoria High Court for an urgent bail application, but he did not succeed.

The intelligence-led arrest comes after a year-long investigation by key stakeholders in government and the private sector, namely the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the Department of Home Affairs, the detectives of the SAPS, Crime Intelligence, the Forensic Science Laboratory, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Veterinary Council of South Africa and Protea Coin Security.

The Hawks’ investigating team arrested Hugo Ras, who is believed to have managed the syndicate’s activities for nearly five years, before his other court appearance in the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court. The team arrested the other members of this criminal group simultaneously in Polokwane in Limpopo, Ficksburg in the Free State, Potchefstroom in the North West, and in Montana, Mamelodi and Kameeldrift in Gauteng.

The syndicate mainly operated in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the North West, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal.

The group has been alleged to have contributed to the brutal slaughter and mutilation of 24 rhinos in state-owned and privately owned game reserves. Only two of the 24 rhinos that were attacked, survived, but they were dehorned after they were darted. The 34 horns were either stolen or obtained through other devious means.

The ruthless killings took place between 2008 and 2012.

In total, the syndicate illegally obtained 84 rhino horns and killed 22 rhinos valued at nearly R22 million.

"The team will continue to work together in an endeavour to address these types of syndicates. They have no sympathy towards our already endangered species - rhinos. It is clear that they have no regard for the rule of law," said Lieutenant General Anwa Dramat, the National Head of the Hawks.

Issued by:
South African Police Service

Media Release: Deputy Minister urges community participation to fight rhino poaching.

As communities and individuals around the world gathered to mark World Rhino Day, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson, has urged all people to take a firm stand against rhino poaching.

Ms Thomson led a World Rhino Day event, hosted by the Department of Environmental Affairs and SANParks in cooperation with the Bushbuckridge Municipality at the Thulamahashe Stadium in Mpumalanga today.

Hundreds of community members joined government officials in a fun run for Rhino through the streets of Bushbuckridge before participating in a march under the slogan Not on our Watch to the Thulamahashe police station.

The participants in the fun run and March were conscious of the need to raise awareness and seek economic alternative to poaching as the number of rhino poached for their horns since the start of the year climbed to 787. A total of 323 alleged poachers have been arrested since January 2014.

The Kruger National Park, situated a short distance from Bushbuckridge, continued to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa having lost 503 animals so far this year. A total of 103 rhino have been poached in Limpopo, 67 in KwaZulu-Natal, 47 in North West and 45 in Mpumalanga.

The marchers, comprising officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs, SANParks, the Bushbuckridge municipality and the local community, showed their concern about the high levels of rhino poaching in South Africa, calling for more action from the police to address the scourge.

The marchers also commended the security and justice system for the work being done collectively and individually to combat rhino poaching.

The Memorandum stated: “As representatives of the citizens of South Africa we would like to pledge our support to you in this battle against rhino poaching and wildlife crime in general. We pledge to become the eye and ears of the SAPS to ensure that all those responsible for wildlife crimes, particularly rhino poaching, are arrested.”

Deputy Minister Thomson said the hosting of World Rhino Day 2014 in Bushbuckridge is testimony to the municipality’s commitment to play its part in conserving one of the country’s most threatened natural resources, the rhino.

World Rhino Day was launched by the World Wildlife Fund-South Africa in 2010 to celebrate the 5 different species of Rhino. The Day has since grown to become a global event to draw attention to the impact of poaching on the continued survival of the Rhino species.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that it was communities such as that of Bushbuckridge that were often exploited by the crime syndicates in their quest to secure rhino horn.

Amid some of South Africa’s most pressing social and economic needs, it is important to save the rhino from extinction for numerous reasons, she said.

“Without the rhino there will be no Big Five – the reason millions of people from all over the world travel to South Africa and many of our neighbouring countries every year. In other words: If there is no Big Five, there is no tourism.

“Without tourism, there will be no direct jobs in the tourism industry for communities living adjacent to conservation areas, or indirect jobs in industries and sectors that support the tourism business.

“Without jobs, there will be increased poverty, increased crime, and less upliftment of our communities. The government’s aim is to create a better life for all. Without the rhino, that will not be possible. In all, the South African economy will suffer,” said Ms Thomson.

As the country prepared to mark Heritage Day on 24 September, it is important for South Africans to take a firm stand against the threat of poaching to the nation’s heritage.

“We have fought a long and bitter struggle for freedom. This struggle was not only for political freedom, but also freedom to enjoy our natural beauty and environment, which is now bring threatened by shortsighted and ecologically destructive forces such as poachers.”

She appealed to young people who believe they have no future other than crime, or the poaching of wildlife, to make use of opportunities to improve their skills and their lives so that they can contribute to the upliftment of their communities.

The Department of Environmental Affairs also welcomes the actions of communities around the world to focus the world’s attention on rhino poaching during World Rhino Day events.

Ms Thomson also launched the Department of Environmental Affairs’ new slogan against rhino poaching - Not on my watch – at the World Rhino Day event.

“Not on our Watch should spur all of us on to report rhino crimes,” she said. “By blowing the whistle on rhino poaching and wildlife crime you are not only contributing towards saving a species for future generations – our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – to enjoy and benefit from, you are also contributing to a safer society.”

She added: “I appeal to all you present here today, to become the eyes and ears of the police – to report rhino and wildlife crime, and to state clearly: Not on our Watch!”

** South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

For media queries, contact:
Albi Modise on 083 490 2871

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs

Poachers Caught In the Kruger National Park

21 September 2014, Lower Sabie - in a joint SANParks/South African Police Service operation, three SANParks employees, a Section Ranger, a Guide and a General Worker, have been arrested in connection with rhino poaching in the KNP. A hunting rifle, ammunition, vehicle and poaching equipment were recovered during the operation. The arrest came shortly after the discovery of a freshly killed rhino in the Lower Sabie section of the park. An intensive search for the suspected poaching group was carried out by a joint SANParks/SAPS air and ground investigation task team.

Poachers Busted By Three Ladies In The Kruger National Park

While driving around Kruger with two other ladies these three ladies had stopped at a water hole where a rhino came to drink and another car was there and it had 4 men in it. They thought it was suspicious and took photos and the vehicle registration number. When they left they saw the same car again a few moments later but with only 2 men in the car as there was nowhere to stop in between they became very suspicious. They followed the car and started to phone the poaching hotline. After helicopters started to follow and the anti poaching team caught the car. They revealed that these men where indeed poachers and all 4 were arrested!

Just shows that anyone can help. Always be ALERT in the Park.

Poachers Update

South Africans urged to work together to curb rhino poaching

The Department of Environmental Affairs calls on all South Africans to work together to combat rhino poaching. 

The call for communities to embrace the rhino as an important contributor to tourism and as a heritage icon in South Africa comes as the number of rhino poaching for their horns since January 2014 increased to 769, with 227 people arrested countrywide.

The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa, having lost 489 rhino so far this year. A total of 103 rhino have been poached in Limpopo, 65 in KwaZulu-Natal, 47 in North West and 43 in Limpopo.

Rhino are part of South Africa’s shared heritage. The rhino is a key member of the Big Five and part of the reason millions of tourists travel to South Africa annually. The influx of tourist to enjoy the country’s natural heritage contributes not only to job creation and benefit for communities living adjacent to national and provincial parks, and private game reserves and lodges, but to the economy as a whole.

As the country approaches the World Rhino Day on 22 September and Heritage Day on 24 September, the Department of Environmental Affairs calls on all communities to join hands in ensuring the survival of not only the rhino as an important ecosystem contributor, but also of the plants and other wild animals being decimated by international crime syndicates.

South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

For Media inquiries contact Albi Modise on 083 490 2871