Our Partners & Collaborators
Balule Nature Reserve
Hope for Wildlife Helicopter Services
South African Police Force
Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
Hemmersbach Rhino Force
Phalaborwa Natural Heritage Foundation Association of Private Nature Reserves (APNR)
Down to the Wire: Anti-Poaching STING Operation
On the outskirts of the iconic Kruger National Park, to the south of the Phalaborwa Mining Company, lies a nature no-man’s land, often bypassed by tourists and thus deprived of the anti-poaching funds that flow into Kruger and other private game reserves. This makes it a major hotspot for poaching activities. In these overlooked areas, where wildlife and the environment are left in a precarious state due to the absence of tourism revenue and other sources of funding, WeWild Africa steps in to support initiatives and provide tangible solutions. WeWild Africa provided aerial support to undertake numerous significant anti-poaching operations. In this post, we detail one such operation, highlighting the successes of our collaborative efforts.
Collaborators
This STING operation, a concerted effort between Balule Nature Reserve, Hope for Wildlife Helicopter Services, the South African Police Force, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Hemmersbach Rhino Force, Phalaborwa Natural Heritage Foundation, and the Association of Private Nature Reserves (APNR), was strategically executed in the vicinity of Phalaborwa, a crucial area adjacent to Kruger National Park.
Unfortunately, the poachers seemed to have been tipped off about the operation. It was suspected that there was an informant who informed the poachers about our plans, as they were not present when the patrol teams arrived.
However, we have committed to provide funds for future helicopter support that will be crucial for pursuing poachers and for locating animals that are either deceased or trapped in snares. This proactive approach is part of our broader strategy to support improved management and conservation in the area. Despite the logistical and resource-related challenges, this operation has been one of our most successful in the region. As a result of this operation, in collaboration with our partners, we achieved the following:
Snares Discovery and Removal
A disturbing discovery of over 110 snares, some with ensnared animals, underscored the severity of poaching in the area. Our team worked diligently to rescue several animals trapped in these snares, providing them a chance at survival.
Dismantling Bush Butcheries
The operation uncovered numerous bush butcheries, illegal setups where poachers processed bush meat. These were systematically dismantled, disrupting a significant part of the poaching chain.
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Wiki West
- December 2, 2021
