A senior manager working for Environmental Crime Investigations (ECI) at Groenkloof in Pretoria, was killed by a hippopotamus on Saturday. Kobus de Wet was attacked and killed by the hippo while camping in the Kruger National Park, South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson Isaac Phaahla said. "Details are sketchy at this stage and circumstances around the incident are...
Johannesburg - The Eastern Cape High Court sitting in Makhanda imposed heavy prison sentences on six Zimbabwean nationals in what game reserve owners in the Eastern Cape have called a major breakthrough in the war against rhino poaching syndicates.The men, Francis Chitiyo, 35, Trymore Chauke, 29, Misheck Chauke, 27, Simba Masinge, 27, Nhamo Muyambo, 32,...
Cape Town – The Skukuza Regional Court convicted and sentenced three men to hefty sentences, totalling over 100 years, for poaching-related offences.Zwelithini Mathebula 37, and Lucky Mhlongo 39, were sentenced to 34 years’ imprisonment while their co-accused Teddy Dlamini 37, was sentenced to 39 years’ imprisonment.NPA regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, said that the three culprits...
Chief Clyde Mnisi was expected to appear in the Mpumalanga High Court in April to face charges relating to rhino poaching. He was shot and killed on Sunday night, March 26.Chief Clyde Mnisi (37) from Bohlabela in the Ehlanzeni District was fatally shot, allegedly multiple times, next to the KMI Airport road near White River...
Pretoria – Mpumalanga provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber has welcomed the arrest of the 14th accused person, 24-year-old Nkateko Maluleke who was wanted in a case of money laundering, where field rangers allegedly provided tactical information to rhino poachers in the Kruger National Park. Maluleke was not present during the arrest...
Twenty-four rhino carcasses were found at various nature reserves and parks in South Africa since 1 December, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment confirmed on Tuesday.The department said seven carcasses were found in Mpumalanga, seven in the Kruger National Park, six were discovered in KwaZulu-Natal and four in the Western Cape."The department condemns...
Renowned and well-respected South African wildlife veterinarian Dr Dave Cooper has taken to social media to share his exasperation with the country’s rampant rhino poaching – and to call the government and resident South Africans to arms. Cooper is involved in various organisations, including Rhinos Without Borders, African Wildlife Vets (which he co-founded) and he...
Despite back-breaking work from a dedicated and passionate SANParks team, Kruger National Park rhino populations have continued to plummet – as per the latest population count from 2020. Recently published research estimates that there are about 2,607 white rhinos remaining in the Kruger National Park, while black rhinos are estimated to number just 202. This...
The Kruger National Park has a major rhino-poaching crisis, but that’s just one of many mounting problems — and it’s extremely worrying.Crags of ancient rock and twisting rivers, 1,000-year-old trees and a rug of bushveld the size of Israel… it’s been part of South Africa’s DNA for generations. And a way of life.Load the car,...
The long-awaited trial of a star wildlife ranger on poaching-related charges illustrates the extent of criminal syndicates’ reach in Kruger National Park.Kruger National Park, South AfricaA sweet mix of coffee and rooibos tea wafts a familiar comfort into the aircraft hangar at the headquarters of Kruger National Park, in Skukuza, South Africa. A languid atmosphere...