A 48-year-old man was arrested today, July 14, for allegedly selling four barn owls for R1 000 each at a shopping complex in Mbombela.

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The Hawks were alerted by Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MPTA) officials, and a joint operation was conducted. The suspect was found red-handed with the owls, without a permit.

A Nissan light delivery vehicle that was used to transport the wildlife was seized by the Hawks. The birds were handed safely over to the MPTA.

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The suspect is expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, July 15, on charges relating to the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act: keeping or conveyance of live game.

The Mpumalanga acting provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Danie Hall, said wildlife is part of our heritage and we have a duty to protect it. He urges the public to report incidents of this nature to the authorities.

“When we take care of our wildlife, we safeguard our heritage for future generations,” he concluded.

*This article was amended after publication. The court date was originally stated as August 15. Lowveld Media has since corrected this to reflect that the suspect is appearing in court today, July 15.