Suspected poaching gang arrested

Cops find rifle and bloodied axe in bakkie after tip-off – but no rhino horn or carcass

FOUR men suspected of poaching a rhino have been arrested between Cradock and Queenstown after a bloody axe and a hunting rifle were found in their bakkie.

Eastern Cape reserves have been on high alert for the past week after a group of suspected poachers, driving the same bakkie as those arrested, was spotted around several reserves in the province.

Since the men’s arrest on Wednesday, officials have asked various game farms in the Eastern Cape to tally their rhino.

Yesterday, police forensic experts began stripping the bakkie but failed to find any signs of horn hidden inside the panels.

Police had not yet found the suspected poached animal but confirmed the blood inside the bakkie had been sent for forensic testing.

The bakkie was pulled off by police on the R61 heading towards the small Karoo town of Tarkastad.

Various items used in rhino poaching – such as an axe (with blood on it), rope, spade and a hunting rifle – were found in the bakkie.

The arrests come less than a week after poachers killed and dehorned two rhinos on the Lombardini Game Farm between Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp.

Police suspect the men could be linked to the Lombardini poaching but are still gathering evidence.

The hunting rifle found in the bakkie has been sent to the ballistic unit to verify if it is the same firearm used in last week’s poaching

Police spokesman Captain Lariane Jonker said the men, aged between 23 and 30, were bust after a tip-off.

“When police stopped and searched the Isuzu bakkie, they discovered and confiscated a .375 rifle and an axe stained with blood,” she said.

“Police are following all possible leads and statements will be obtained from neighbouring farms that were possibly visited by these suspects.

“The blood samples have been sent to the forensic lab to determine the source.”

Department of Environmental Affairs specialists have been roped in to assist the stock theft and endangered species unit with the probe.

Jonker said the men were being profiled to ascertain any connections to similar cases.

“The investigation has been handed over to the provincial task team for further handling.

“We can only determine the type of animal once we get the blood analysis back or find the animal.

“At this stage, we are looking into the possibility of a rhino [poaching] but it is too early to say.”

The men are due to appear in the Cradock Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Kariega Game Reserve manager Mike Fuller said the reserve had been on high alert for the past week.

Fuller said men had been spotted lurking around several reserves on the outskirts of Grahamstown about a week ago and since then all reserves had been on alert.

Of the arrests, he said: “This is what we want to see happen – suspected poachers arrested and jailed. I would consider this a breakthrough in terms of arresting one group operating in our area.”

He said no incidents had occurred at their reserve.

Wildlife vet Dr William Fowlds said: “It is imperative that wildlife crime in the Eastern Cape does not escalate out of control as it has in many other parts of South Africa.

“Full credit to all those who are helping to hold back this crime wave.”