Online Reporter
Kudakwashe Kutinyo
ZIMPARKS has been lauded for its swift action in apprehending two poachers inside Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North Province, following an anonymous tip-off.
The suspects had killed a kudu and were in the process of harvesting its meat for sale, posing a serious health risk to unsuspecting buyers, as the meat had not been inspected or certified for consumption.
ZimParks shared the details of the arrest on its anti-poaching social media page, highlighting the tactics used to catch the culprits.
“Our teams took up ambush positions along known routes in the park, which we suspected the poachers would use to exit,” said ZimParks.
During a diligent search, rangers discovered a house containing a fresh carcass, although the suspects had initially fled.
Continuing their pursuit, rangers managed to locate a second house nearby, apprehending one suspect while the other temporarily escaped.
A later tip-off helped authorities to arrest the second suspect as he attempted to flee by bus.
Zimparks confirmed that a large cache of hidden animal skins and traps was discovered, exposing the poachers’ long-standing activities in the area.
“We recovered the skins of a side-striped jackal as well as a serval, along with 14 wire snares, spears, machetes, knives and axes,” said ZimParks.
Investigations also revealed a 14-wire snare intended to capture a hyena, with the kudu skin hidden in a burrow.
Mr Tanaka Muti, a local conservationist, commended ZimParks’ efforts and recommended additional strategies to combat poaching, including the use of drones for deep-park patrols, deployment of rangers with dogs and a community hotline for reporting suspicious activity.
He also advocated for increased community involvement through Campfire programmes, where residents benefit from wildlife conservation.
“Another best way I would recommend is community involvement through Campfire programmes where the community benefits from wildlife resources,” he said.
The Government has intensified its fight against poaching, arresting local syndicates targeting protected animals.
Perpetrators convicted face substantial prison sentences. ZimParks has also implemented initiatives that allow communities to benefit from regulated hunting activities, including receiving meat and generating income through hunting quotas on community land. — New Ziana
