WHEN Zululand Conservation Trust (ZCT) took over operational management of Somkhanda Game Reserve, the team were ambushed by the sobering reality of snares.

A total of 443 snares were removed within their first month and through the Snare Aware network, ZCT connected with Amanzimtoti-based non-profit organisation (NPO), Snare Aware, to get more boots on the ground to cover the vast 12 000 hectare reserve.

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A Snare Aware member, whose identity will remain anonymous for their protection, said that the NPOs volunteer base answered the call and from November 6 until November 8, swept the thorn-covered terrain, battling relentless heat. Members were joined  by reserve management, the Somkhanda anti-poaching unit, Somkhanda Big 5 Tourism, as well as countless other volunteers from around the area.

“It was also great to have Smart Sky joining us, which deployed a thermal drone in the sky covering our teams’ movements through the reserve. This was no ordinary weekend away. There was little time to relax, plenty of ground to cover and a team determined to make every sweep count. Arriving on Friday, we jumped straight into a snare sweep in the afternoon, removing a total of 36 active snares in the 37-degree heat. Saturday saw a double sweep with an early start to beat the heat, and massive distances covered by the team that day in very difficult terrain,” said the member.

A total of 66 active and 34 inactive snares were removed during the course of the weekend. It also documented illegal dog hunting, fenceline incursions, and stripping of fenceline wire, which was used as source material for snares by poachers.

“One of the biggest wins was finding and removing 55 stashed snares before they could be set. Each one removed was a threat stopped before it could put wildlife at risk. Sadly, the team came across seven ensnared carcasses in snares. Beyond the removals, the area covered by the teams meant that we were able to share valuable field information with reserve management, helping the anti-poaching unit focus on hotspot areas. Our weekend away was not just a once-off helping hand, but a catalyst for further support and assistance,” added the member.

Wintec Solutions, one of the weekend’s volunteers, donated three GSat Solar tracking devices to Somkhanda to assist in monitoring wildlife movements on the reserve.

“To everyone who travelled far, tackled the hills and gave their weekend to this work: thank you. A special thank you to PAWZ Africa for facilitating and helping organise the weekend, and to Somkhanda Big 5 Tourism for the hospitality. Help us raise awareness to recognise the teams working to keep wildlife safe,” they concluded.

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