EMPTY-HANDED on multiple occasions during sweeps in poaching hotspots, volunteers of Amanzimtoti-based conservationist non-profit organisation Snare Aware felt proud that the consistent pressure of their sweeps effected positive change.

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Over the last few weeks, Snare Aware did sweeps of Illovo River, Ilanda Wilds, Mount Moreland and Ballito Hills. Each area in total had volunteers remove over 100 snares during past sweeps. Volunteers also explored new high risk hotspots including Holla Trails, Sheffield Beach and Sibaya West, and found no snares.

A Snare Aware member, whose identity will remain anonymous for their safety, said, “On April 10, we were sent images by one of our recruits of multiple snared animals in the Ashburton area. Ashburton is a beautiful natural area that is extremely hard hit by multiple types of poaching, especially snaring. Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy does what it can and employs a permanent ranger to patrol and remove snares, but this single person has a massive task of covering a large area that is under constant pressure from poachers. Just like that, our momentary feeling of comfort is gone and it’s back to work for our volunteers.”

The organisation trekked out to the area on April 11. The member explained that they found only a few old snares during their sweep, though the ranger there said three snares were found, one of which had a dead zebra in it while the other had a dead cow.

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