Suspected giraffe poachers Scelo Nxumalo and Sbonelo Mbhele appeared briefly in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court this morning for their bail application.

The duo was arrested after they were found in possession of a giraffe’s legs last Wednesday.

The giraffe was allegedly snared at the Bisley Nature Reserve in Pietermaritzburg.

The men were spotted by two neighbouring reserve residents, who were relaxing under a nearby tree.

The men spotted the giraffe’s legs in a van and gave chase, leading to the arrests.

The charges against the men include hunting of game without a license or permit, unlawful removal of the carcass of an animal from a national park, trespassing on land and the possession and handling of unlawfully acquired game.

They had both opted for legal aid representation.

Chairperson of the Friends of Bisley Nature Reserve (FoBNR) Peter West says this is the second case that they are attending in court relating to the poaching of animals in the reserve.

“We are really happy because we [were] able to catch these people. I believe that people are starting to have a thing for fresh meat. This is putting a strain on us because we think that illegal hunters see our reserve as a place where they can get that fresh meat.

“We are concerned as the FoBNR because this is putting our animals in danger,” says West.

The two suspects are set to again appear in court on February 24.