Namibia on alert for new SA poaching tactics
A Namibian anti-poaching organisation is warning Namibian game rangers to be aware of a deadly new tactic in South Africa where poachers have reportedly begun building home-made explosive devices to combat anti-poaching rangers.
Intelligence Support Against Poaching (ISAP) has published a warning to anti-poaching teams in Namibia “to be vigilant when out in the field. The war on poaching has taken a turn in South Africa.”
Reports in the South African media confirmed that an anti-poaching unit conducting patrols in the south western boundary of Kruger National Park last week came across two suspected poachers hiding in a pipeline beneath a railway line.
Inspecting the area, the rangers, with the help of their specially trained dogs, discovered a device linked to a battery and the bomb squad was called to the scene, who confirmed the device was a pipe bomb. The bomb was detonated at the scene.
South African Parks CEO Fundislie Mketeni praised the unit's vigilance and work and said: “It is unfortunate that South Africans who are involved in such affairs do not seem to realise they are hurting their own people and their own country, and are in the process destroying their own heritage.”
ISAP says all Namibian anti-poaching teams should be vigilant when out in the field.
“All evidence points to this device being planted specifically to kill or maim our rangers whilst on patrol,” it says. Ministry of environment spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says the information is worrying.
“We will engage with our counterparts in South Africa to confirm this and possibly get more details.”
He says Namibian rangers and members of anti-poaching teams should not be too alarmed, as no such incidents have been reported in Namibia.
“However, let's continue to be vigilant as the poachers will continue to look for new ways to poach our high-value species as security measures intensify.”
Muyunda again urged all members of the public to become involved in the fight against poaching.
“Namibians should shun poaching and condemn it, as it robs the nation of valuable resources that could be used for the benefit of all.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
Intelligence Support Against Poaching (ISAP) has published a warning to anti-poaching teams in Namibia “to be vigilant when out in the field. The war on poaching has taken a turn in South Africa.”
Reports in the South African media confirmed that an anti-poaching unit conducting patrols in the south western boundary of Kruger National Park last week came across two suspected poachers hiding in a pipeline beneath a railway line.
Inspecting the area, the rangers, with the help of their specially trained dogs, discovered a device linked to a battery and the bomb squad was called to the scene, who confirmed the device was a pipe bomb. The bomb was detonated at the scene.
South African Parks CEO Fundislie Mketeni praised the unit's vigilance and work and said: “It is unfortunate that South Africans who are involved in such affairs do not seem to realise they are hurting their own people and their own country, and are in the process destroying their own heritage.”
ISAP says all Namibian anti-poaching teams should be vigilant when out in the field.
“All evidence points to this device being planted specifically to kill or maim our rangers whilst on patrol,” it says. Ministry of environment spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says the information is worrying.
“We will engage with our counterparts in South Africa to confirm this and possibly get more details.”
He says Namibian rangers and members of anti-poaching teams should not be too alarmed, as no such incidents have been reported in Namibia.
“However, let's continue to be vigilant as the poachers will continue to look for new ways to poach our high-value species as security measures intensify.”
Muyunda again urged all members of the public to become involved in the fight against poaching.
“Namibians should shun poaching and condemn it, as it robs the nation of valuable resources that could be used for the benefit of all.”
JANA-MARI SMITH
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