Elephant poaching in the Kruger national park has recently become a major cause for concern.
Though poaching in the park reduced by 40% last year, there were still about 67 elephants killed, according to regional ranger Tinyiko Golele.
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“So more has to be done to catch poachers to keep wild animals safe hence SA national parks (SANParks) anti-poaching units have come up with different ways to fight the scourge.”
Golele said in the past three months a few poachers had been arrested.
“One poacher was arrested last week but three managed to flee. We also apprehended a few during the festive season,” she said.
“Most of the poachers are foreigners and come from the eastern side of the border, Mozambique. But the park is working closely with local communities to monitor the fence.
“There are different types of poaching inside the park. There’s wood poaching when locals steal wood for fire, fish poaching from the rivers running through the park as well as animal poaching,” she said.
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SAPS Warrant Officer Richard Magezi Chauke said the police were working hand in hand with rangers and locals to apprehend poachers.
“We normally do roadblocks at the Punda Maria entrance and Pafuri gate with various degrees of success. On Friday we arrested a suspect in connection with poaching,” he said.
“A rifle was confiscated and we are hoping to make more arrests soon.”
He said poachers were now targeting elephants north of the park near the Mozambique border.
SANparks spokesperson Ike Phaahla said most poachers were heavily armed and carried out their nefarious acts mostly at night.
“These poachers are well organised and carry rifles when entering the park.”
He said regular patrols were carried out by various agencies including police crime intelligence unit, SANDF, rangers, dog units, and other anti-poaching groups.
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