Quick reaction stopped two poachers in their tracks as they emerged from bushes carrying a heavy bag on Monday last week.
Hendrick Ludick of Airtrack X-Treme Security was conducting crime prevention duties in the Palm Beach Police Sector area at the time.
“The guards investigated and found a carcass of a buck/game in the bag,” he said.
Airtrack X-Treme Security called Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Lower South Coast SPCA to the scene.
A quick response and inspection by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and SPCA confirmed that the carcass was that of a female bushbuck, which is on the protected species list. The two men were arrested.
A follow-up investigation was carried out by Airtrack X-Treme Security, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and LSC SPCA. The remains of the carcass (head, skin and organs) were exhumed and an additional three snares were recovered within the Palm Beach Policing Sector Area.
The two men were taken to Port Edward police station and charged with:
* The Nature Conservation Act Ordinance 15 of 1974 Count 1, section 43, trespassing on land where game is likely to be found.*Count 2 – section 39 (1), possession of game which is reasonably suspected to be unlawfully poached.
* A further charge under the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962, count 3 section 2 (1) (J) Hang traps or other devices for the purpose of catching or destroying game.
Items found with the carcass were handed over to the LSC SPCA, additional equipment found with the men was a bush knife, a S-shape gaff hook, pliers and cabling.
The men are currently detained at Port Edward Saps and will appear in court soon. Police will continue with investigations.
“We applaud our reaction officers for their vigilance and securing exemplary results. We thank Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the LSC SPCA teams for their expedited responses, professionalism and commitment to our wildlife,” said Ludick.
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