Over 180 snares were picked up around the Uitkyk Road area in Mbombela by South African Bush-Warrior Association’s (Saba) Jaco Klopper in just two days.

Lowvelder reported in June that it is suspected that setting snares in the Lowveld has increased by 20% from last season, while the Kruger National Park has had an increase of 50%.

Klopper said his team recently headed out to the road near The Rest on August 6 and 7.

“We covered just under 5km on which we picked up all the snares,” said Klopper.

“We found the remains of three dogs, as well as that of countless duikers and bushbucks. We also found a jackal that had been caught less than three hours before we found it.”

Klopper said although the area has since been cleared, follow-up operations will be conducted to manage the problem at hand.

“There is no doubt we have had a massive wave of snares this season. Follow-up operations will help minimise the number of snares set and save more animals from certain death,” he said.

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The animals most commonly caught are duikers, impalas, bushbucks and servals.

“We have, however, found kudus, wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, jackals, porcupines and even a tortoise. No animal is safe,” says Klopper.