Poachers caught – a small victory for Umtamvuna’s wildlife
It is a sad reality that poachers are often well-organised criminal outfits.
We, the Umtamvuna Marine Conservancy (UMC), are delighted to share that several poachers and their hunting dogs were recently captured in the Port Edward area – a small but significant victory for our wildlife.
Poaching and illegal hunting remain vast and deeply rooted threats to our fauna. Groups of poachers and their dogs have devastated local wildlife populations – only a fraction of animals remain in the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, our conservancy and neighbouring farms.
Over the years, thousands of snares – many with the remains of blue and grey duikers, dassies, bushbuck, bushpig, mongoose and reedbuck – have been found and removed in and around Port Edward.
It is a sad reality that poachers are often well-organised criminal outfits. We know of a group of around 150 hunters using 300 to 400 hounds in the area. With limited law enforcement, local farmers have no choice but to employ private security companies to protect what little wildlife is left.
Protecting our fauna is one of the conservancy’s top priorities. Even one poacher out there is one too many. We commend everyone who helped arrest these criminals and confiscate the hunting dogs. We trust the law will run its course and that these arrests will serve as a clear warning to others.
BÊRENDINE JORDAAN and RENÉE ALCOCK
Umtamvuna Marine Conservancy
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