&BEYOND PHINDA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE SENDS STRONG MESSAGE TO RHINO POACHERS
2013-05-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — In two separate incidents, a total of six suspected rhino poachers have been arrested and one killed in and around &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Earlier today, four suspects entered &Beyond Phinda and were intercepted in a joint operation by the Phinda Anti-Poaching Unit (Nyathi APU Security), SAPS Durban Organised Crime Unit, SAPS Special Task Team and &Beyond Phinda Conservation Team. One suspect was killed and the other three were arrested (one of whom was injured). The three South African citizens and one Mozambican national were in possession of a high calibre hunting rifle, silencer, axe, six rounds of live ammunition and specifically prepared muthi (traditional medicine supplied by a sangoma/traditional Zulu healer). There is a strong link between some traditional healers and rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal, with the muthi believed to enable poachers to carry out their poaching activities successfully without police intervention.
An additional three suspected rhino poachers were arrested on 10 May in the town of Jozini, just north of &Beyond Phinda. They too were intercepted in a joint operation by the Phinda Anti-Poaching Unit (Nyathi APU Security), SAPS Empangeni Canine Unit and SAPS Durban Organised Crime Unit. The two Mozambican nationals and one South African citizen were in possession of a high calibre hunting rifle, silencer, axe and ten rounds of live ammunition. It is suspected that they were on their way from Mozambique to illegally hunt rhino at either &Beyond Phinda or Zulu Nyala Game Reserve, and it is also believed that they were involved with the poaching of a black rhino at Phinda in November 2012 and the more recent killing of a white rhino at Zulu Nyala.
All six men are currently in police custody and will face charges relating to attempted rhino poaching and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. &Beyond expects maximum sentences for the accused and trusts that not only will they be denied bail, but that the magistrates will treat all suspected rhino poaching incidents as serious crimes.
Nyathi APU Security has been &Beyond’s preferred security provider for the past decade and their impressive results over the last six months have dealt a serious blow to poaching syndicates operating in the Zululand region. These latest arrests follow four separate anti-poaching operations at &Beyond Phinda since December 2012, whereby one armed poacher was killed, another wounded and seven suspects arrested. These successful interceptions can all be attributed to the close working relationships between the Nyathi APU, SAPS Organised Crime Unit, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Zululand Wildlife Security Initiative (a collection of private game reserves in the Zululand area) and various nongovernmental organisations such as Project Rhino KZN and The Bateleurs (aviation service in support of conservation). This joint collaboration is proving effective in fighting the war against rhino poaching and these arrests will serve a further blow to poaching syndicates operating in the Zululand area.
Ends
Issued by: media@andBeyond.com
&Beyond
T: +27 11 809 4300; F: +27 11 809 4511
www.andBeyond.com
About &Beyond
&Beyond is one of the world’s leading experiential travel companies, designing personalised luxury safaris in 16 African countries, as well as India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The company also owns and operates 32 extraordinary lodges and camps in Africa and India’s wilderness highspots. Established in 1991, &Beyond takes exceptional care of its guests in order to make a difference; its commitment to sustainable responsible travel and community empowerment is world renowned.
Please note: We are legally required to use the font ‘trebuchet’ when printing the ampersand in ‘&Beyond’. If this is not possible, please kindly write it out in full, i.e. ‘andBeyond’.