Hawks bust pangolin traffickers in Kyalami

SIX alleged pangolin traffickers, aged between 30 and 43, were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) just north of the Johannesburg CBD this week.

The arrest came as a result of a collaborative effort between the Hawks’ Wildlife Trafficking unit and NGO Pangolin Africa, an initiative of the University of Pretoria.

Regional police spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said yesterday that the six men were arrested at the Kyalami Corner shopping complex.

“The unsuspecting syndicate aged between 30 and 43 was pounced upon when they were looking for a buyer for one of the most protected and vulnerable species,” Ramovha said.

Ramovha said that in addition to the arrests, police also seized a Toyota Fortuner, a Mini Cooper and cellphones.

The suspects were in possession of a live pangolin at the time of arrest.

The six suspects will be brought up on charges of dealing as well as the possession of a pangolin in contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.

They will appear before the Midrand Magistrate’s Court today.

The pangolin is considered the most widely trafficked animal globally, with their scales being the main attraction.

There are four known African pangolin species.

The arrest comes just weeks after the first dedicated pangolin veterinary ward in Africa was opened in Johannesburg, the only one to have been mandated by the South African government.