The KwaZulu-Natal nature conservation services, Ezemvelo, wants to enlist the help of the defence force to put a stop to rhino poaching in the province, according to spokesman, Musa Mntambo.
An Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Section Ranger and an Anti-Poaching Unit officer, both from Hluhluwe Game Reserve, were suspended following the discovery of seven poached white rhinos in the Nqumeni area of the reserve on September 22.The poachers used the public ‘corridor’ road that runs through Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park for entry and exit.
A total of 488 rhinos have been lost to illegal killings since the beginning of this year. The total number of arrests in connection with rhino poaching now stands at 214.
The Kruger National Park has lost 296 rhinos to poaching. The provinces hardest hit include Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West, which collectively account for the loss of 158 rhinos.
Mntambo said the defence force had been used in other conservation areas like Kruger National Park and had yielded some positive results.
“Ezemvelo will use any strategy that we believe may reduce or arrest the ever-growing killing of rhinos. The defence may play a critical role in monitoring our fences, particularly the fence that divides us from other neighbouring countries like Mozambique,” continued Mntambo.
He said the involvement of defence was still in a preparatory stage. “We still need to engage the relevant stakeholders and explore the pros and cons of the idea.”
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