As efforts to curb poaching in South Africa’s Kruger National Park (KNP) continue, the reserve announced that they had arrested an impressive eight suspected poachers in just a single day last week.
The poachers were apprehended in different areas of the park, and all were found with a variety of equipment related to poaching, including hunting rifles and ammunition.
“KNP continues to experience a number of incursions and many other poaching-related activities on a daily basis,” said Glenn Phillips, managing executive director of KNP. “Our dedicated and committed anti-poaching teams, who are our ears and eyes in the bush, are always out there to quickly respond.”
This latest host of arrests follows positive news from last month, as figures released by the department of environmental affairs (DEA) revealed both a decline in the number of rhinos poached over the first eight months of the year and an increase in prosecutions for poaching and trafficking.
Throughout the various provinces, 508 rhinos were slaughtered in the first eight months of the year. Although this number is still shockingly high, it’s a considerable drop when compared to 691 killed in the same time period in 2017.
In KNP itself, 292 were poached during these months, compared to 333 last year.
Just as important as the lives saved is the ability to prosecute and sentence for these crimes; fortunately, the legal system is also demonstrating progress.
“From January to August 2018 a total of 70 cases‚ involving 163 accused were finalized. The trials have resulted in 93% guilty verdicts‚ translating to 288 years in sentencing‚” reported DEA spokesperson Albi Modise, referring to KNP.
Although these numbers give hope to the continuing battle to save species like the rhinoceros and elephant in South Africa, rhino populations in the park are dropping.
“White rhino numbers in the park, however‚ continued to decline‚ with the population estimated at between 4‚759 and 5‚532 individuals during 2017. White rhinos‚ unlike black rhinos‚ were affected by the drought – with natural mortalities increasing from 1% to 1.5% during the drought‚ while the birth rate dropped from approximately 9% to 5% one year after the drought.”
Clearly, rhinos still walk the fine line between survival and extinction, but the people who fight to save every individual animal are not giving up.
“Wildlife crime should not be tolerated and needs to be stopped. We call upon poachers to weigh the risks of getting caught and we assure them that the gap is closing in on them,” says Phillips.
The problem is, they forced to do this by economics. Follow the money. Somebody willing to pay, and the poachers execute,
Cut off the demand! HELLO!!!
All these sick people should be prosecuted! People who kill these innocent animals are so bloody selfish and ruthless!
All people who hurt animals must be sick people and should ahve treatment and punishment. Animals need to be cared for.
Death Row to ALL Psychos who would even fathom hurting animals!
Death row for this psycho!!! Rip babies!!OMG
WELL DONE! NOW SHOOT THEM! B U T if they can be taught, convinced to reliably
change their role and understand that they’d be getting a better salary by helping to PROTECT
the animals, then that might be a better solution. And if they can’t prove their worth in this way,
then shoot them! No more questions asked.
Commentaires calmes et posés impossibles si vous avez un coeur
Horrific what happens to animals.
The anti-poaching team has done a great job. Don’t give up. The poachers should be shot on sight. Their going to keep it up until there are do more Rhino’s left if they have it their way. The almighty dollar and the trophy hunter are greedy and selfish bunch of losers. Very sad situations.
WELL DONE!
HOW SAD. AFRICA IS AN ABUSIVE COUNTRY.
KILL THE POACHERS. !!!
hunt the hunters
How do you sign this if you already get newsletters?
Please stop it!!!!!
Justice!!!
Good! Please remove them from the face of the earth!
I cant retweet this Please put an icon so I retweet your news ? Cant find anywhere to retweet ??? Thanks CFAWR Canada
Its a bout time this was stopped there is no need for this in this day there are better ways with out hurting defenceless animals.
The best thing I have read all day. Karma to them
This needs to stop. We need tougher laws to prevent it.
Poachers are evil and greedy. They cannot be rehabilitated so they need to be incarcerated for life.
Kill all poachers.
first impose strict laws no use of arresting them
Poachers should be poached.
Well that’s 8 Poachers that will be released soon as well. As long as they have paid their get out of jail free payments to the corrupt scumbags of justice in that country.
Is it possible that the parks protecting Rhinos and Elephants can use Drones with cameras to help with poaching? Or is this to expensive?
WARNING!!!
More Tsunamis Tornados and other natural disasters coming their way. Gods way of sorting out humans disrepect towards His Creatures and creations. Dont cry then…you abusers of animals deserve what comes to you from these animals Creator.
Y don’t they have a shoot on site policy for these murderers? I bet THAT would curb their appetite for the horn!!
Animal Cruelty is an on-going issue all over the world. Laws needs to be put into place to help to stop this once and for all. The animals do not deserve to be treated so horrible and the pet parents who suffer the loss of their animals is so very unfair. Why aren’t animal laws put into place? Does anyone have a good answer for this?
The government is not putting enough importance on animal cruelty, in foreign countries if u dish out money they turn a blind eye to anything and everything but here in Canada they just turn a blind eye just like all the murders. We need stiffer penalties including death penalty, Ppl are sick and they are excused once they go to hospital and back on their meds and they are free to do it again. We are far too leaniant in our laws and that needs to change ASAP
Throw these poachers to the crocodiles! Unfortunately, this will only get worse as the Chinese are now allowing the sale of tiger’s bones and rhino horns!! these beautiful animals will become extint before we know it! My heart bleeds….
Unfortunately the punishments given offs far too little, and hardly acts as a deterrent. Poaching of an endangered species is a crime against humanity, robbing everyone of enjoyment and livelihood – let alone the cruel and selfish murder of these fine animals for self enrichment.
They will probably be out on bail (and then disappear before their trial date arrives) before I finish typing this comment. If jailed, they’ll be released within a few month, to continue poaching. that’s how the system works in Africa.
Hang the bastards in the public square. That way, they will never poach again and send a powerful message to the ones still out there.
Please give all poachers the electric chair or lethal injection.
Excellent news!
ALL poachers should be executed, and their remains fed to lions, leopards, cheetahs, even tigers.
That way their useless, greedy scumbag lives count for something.
GOOD WORK — keep the monsters in prison — they MUST be held accountable — penalties MUST be severe — we do NOT want repeats of these crimes — continue to keep vigilant and ARREST these depraved criminals from the get-go.
wonderful prosecute full extent of the law
Agree with you Pamela K!
This is good news indeed. 🦏🦏
COMMENTdoing these investigations. We all must be aware and help to stop animal cruelty.
Good for the rangers. Thank you.
GOOD!!! NOW FEED THOSE POACHERS TO THE LIONS!!!
Poachers deserve the death penalty. Scum of the earth.
With the action being taken in South Africa, the days of Rhinos and elephants may be numbered. When the Caucasians leave so will the wildlife and the property of the country.
prosperity of the country, correction
TAKE THESES BASTEREDS AND HAND THEM THERE HEADS IN THERE HANDS, THIS IS THERE PUNISHMENT.