iSimangaliso’s 24-hour emergency – Reward of a R100 000 is offered by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

October 24, 2012 at 9:00 am (Ezemvelo KZNWildlife, NGOs and Conservation Bodies)

iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority Press Release 2012-10-22

Rhino Murder and “Operation Hammer”

An Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife iSimangaliso patrol while following fresh human tracks early Sunday evening detected an adult white rhino carcass.  Both horns were very crudely removed. The carcass was found in the Ozabeni section of iSimangaliso and was still fresh.   A specialist team was rapidly deployed to the area and the sweep continued into the early hours of this morning. The scene was also secured so that a thorough search for possible evidence can be conducted by staff with Organised Crime today.  A post mortem is currently in process by the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Vet.  

 This is the sixth rhino poached in iSimangaliso in the last 24 months.  The last rhino was poached in the WesternShores section of Park approximately 7 days ago. This brings the KZN and RSA totals of rhino’s poached so far this year to 57 and 456 respectively.  

“We are incensed by the senseless killing of this rhino” says Andrew Zaloumis the iSimangaliso CEO “it strengthens the resolve of staff to find the perpetrators of the shameful murder of this innocent and defenceless animal and to further strengthen and improve on anti-poaching measures in the Park.  Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife rangers are on the front line of combating poaching in iSimangaliso.   Information can make the difference to them in foiling a rhino poaching or catching the criminals.  Any information, or suspicious sightings can be reported anomalously to iSimangaliso’s 24hour emergency no. 0827977944”.  

“A reward of a R100 000 is offered by Ezemvelo to any person who provides information that results in the arrest and successful conviction of the culprits” says Tony Conway the Ezemvelo Conservation Coordinator for iSimangaliso, who further added that “new and innovative strategies had been implemented in the Park to combat this rhino onslaught and warned rhino poachers that absolute zero tolerance has been reinforced and anybody entering the Park illegally and armed, do so at their own risk!”  

“Destroying endangered species is an ecological and economic crime. Not only are rhino part of our collective national heritage, but the presence of wildlife is a vital resource for the country and region. In a region marked by poverty, tourism and conservation are the biggest employers on which families’ survival and paying school fees depend” said Zaloumis. 

This shocking blow follows on the heels of the recent “Operation Hammer” victory against illegal poaching activities in iSimangaliso. “Within 20 minutes of the start of “Operation Hammer”, twelve illegal boats, a hippo snare and two gill nets in the Dukuduku section of the Park were found in a known place where poachers hide their boats in dense vegetation and reed beds. Confiscated items were booked in at Mtubatuba Police Station for destruction by SAPS” says Johan Gerber who head up iSimangaliso’s Ezemvelo specialist Anti-Poaching Unit (APU).  

The operation was undertaken on the uMfoloziRiver flood plain to search for poachers and evidence of other crime.  Aerial coverage of the remoter sections of the 230 000ha iSimangaliso including Ozabeni and relating to rhino and marine poaching were included. This is the second recent combined operation by staff from Ezemvelo, SAPS ORS Border Policing: RichardsBay and SAPS KZN Airwing.  The first led to the confiscation of 28 unauthorised boats and poaching equipment .

“Good law enforcement and education are of paramount importance in conserving our national treasure and we will continue combating illegal activities at every turn,” said iSimangaliso CEO Andrew Zaloumis, thanking the sterling efforts of SAPS ORS Border Policing: RichardsBay, SAPS KZN Airwing, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff at St Lucia Marine, Mfabeni, Cape Vidal, Ozabeni and the Anti-Poaching Unit.  

If members of the public have any information, or see anything suspicious please report these to Siboniso Duma (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Conservation Manager St Lucia Marine) on 0825592871 or iSimangaliso’s 24-hour emergency no. 0827977944.  

For further information contact Siyabonga Mhlongo Media Officer on 0843820884; email  siyabonga@iSimangaliso.com