Last year was a busy year for the foundation which included 32 snare sweeps where 898 illegal snares were removed. According to PNHF, they discovered eleven poacher camps and the team patrolled about 190km on foot. “We discovered 69 carcasses of animals killed in snares or poisoned by poachers, these included buffalo, giraffe, sable, waterbuck, zebra, wildebeest, impala, and even vultures.

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“We had 488 volunteers that joined our operations, totaling to about 78 000 man hours spent on foot in the bush. An estimated 122 vehicles were used during sweeps at a cost of around R 300 000 in fuel,” PNHF explained. The foundation stated that an estimated loss of R650 000 was recorded due to poaching. In 2022 local reserves and the community of Phalaborwa lost an estimated R5 million due to snaring, including veterinarian bills, cost of equipment and uniforms, damaged fences, stolen fencing material to create snares, loss of animals, fuel, vehicle wear and tear, and value of man hours.

“We want to thank each and every person that stood by us during the last year, those that worked with us, shoulder to shoulder in gruelling heat, through dangerous situations, and those that donated to make this all possible, you are all equally valued and appreciated as contributors in our fight against poaching. We are looking forward to the new year and already have some big and exciting things planned for the year.”