Rhinos poached in iMfolozi
October 1, 2008;
MEDIA RELEASE No: 2008 - 08
RHINOS POACHED IN IMFOLOZI
For immediate release
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reports that field rangers on a routine patrol in the Masinda section of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park came across the carcase of a white rhino in the Makhandendlovu area.
Acting on an established protocol, one field ranger approached the carcase and saw that the horns had been cleanly removed.
The field rangers immediately reported this and the Conservation Manager of Imfolozi, Mr Dave Robertson, duly alerted the local SAPS and other EKZNW staff.
EKZNW staff, accompanied by the SAPS team went out to the site and began the examination of the carcase which appeared to be that of an adult female.
When the group examined the tracks of the animal they found a further two carcases - an adult female and a sub-adult calf about 200 metres away..
A fourth carcase lay about 30 metres beyond this.
The horns of all four animals had been cleanly removed with a sharp instrument indicating that some one with considerable experience had been at work.
After a thorough examination of the area and a search for any clues, the group left the site under guard to protect the carcases from scavengers.
Postmortems conducted the next day by the EKZN W veterinary surgeon revealed that all four animals had been shot with a heavy calibre rifle some five days previously.
All four animals appeared to been shot at much the same time and all four lay in very rough and remote terrain covered in very thick bush, a factor that would have masked the sound of the gunshots.
EKZNW staff are working closely with the SAPS on the case and appeal to members of the public who might have any information about this incident to contact the Conservation Manager of Imfolozi Mr Dave Robertson on 035 550 8481, the Wildlife Investigator for the Zululand region Mr Michael Mfuleka on 083 664 1314, or the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife hotline 0800 2121 26
All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.
For immediate release
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reports that field rangers on a routine patrol in the Masinda section of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park came across the carcase of a white rhino in the Makhandendlovu area.
Acting on an established protocol, one field ranger approached the carcase and saw that the horns had been cleanly removed.
The field rangers immediately reported this and the Conservation Manager of Imfolozi, Mr Dave Robertson, duly alerted the local SAPS and other EKZNW staff.
EKZNW staff, accompanied by the SAPS team went out to the site and began the examination of the carcase which appeared to be that of an adult female.
When the group examined the tracks of the animal they found a further two carcases - an adult female and a sub-adult calf about 200 metres away..
A fourth carcase lay about 30 metres beyond this.
The horns of all four animals had been cleanly removed with a sharp instrument indicating that some one with considerable experience had been at work.
After a thorough examination of the area and a search for any clues, the group left the site under guard to protect the carcases from scavengers.
Postmortems conducted the next day by the EKZN W veterinary surgeon revealed that all four animals had been shot with a heavy calibre rifle some five days previously.
All four animals appeared to been shot at much the same time and all four lay in very rough and remote terrain covered in very thick bush, a factor that would have masked the sound of the gunshots.
EKZNW staff are working closely with the SAPS on the case and appeal to members of the public who might have any information about this incident to contact the Conservation Manager of Imfolozi Mr Dave Robertson on 035 550 8481, the Wildlife Investigator for the Zululand region Mr Michael Mfuleka on 083 664 1314, or the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife hotline 0800 2121 26
All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.
AJG/ Media Release No: 2008 - 08
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