Hawks resume Operation Thunder at Kruger National Park bridge
Multi-agency forces target illegal wildlife and plant trafficking along key routes in the Komatipoort area.
The Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Organised Crime Investigation, in collaboration with White River K9 and Skukuza Vispol, has resumed Operation Thunder at Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park, Komatipoort today, September 14.
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The bridge is directly inside the south-eastern corner of the Kruger National Park.
Joint team targets illegal trafficking
“The primary aim of the operation is to combat wildlife trafficking through the disruption, detection and investigation of criminal activities associated with the illegal trafficking of wildlife, including endangered plants,” said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.
“The team has joined forces with the Kruger National Park Protection Services, whose primary duties include conducting searches and verifications, as well as ensuring the safety and security of visitors to the park,” added Nkosi.
He said vehicles passing through this area were stopped and thoroughly searched to see if they were transporting anything illegal related to wildlife.
