The Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park Rangers captured poachers killing endangered animal species

July 29, 2011 - PRLog -- The poachers are indiscriminately killing mainly elephants and other protected species by using sharp metal loops, direct fire and also by strychnine diluted in water. Some poachers were apprehended thanks to the timely intervention by specially trained rangers and then they were handed over to the local police, where they will be defending their actions and held responsible for these by the protectors of the law.

The death of endangered animal species in the African conservation areas is still unfortunately an everyday reality. These are being indiscriminately killed because of the boundless human greed. The number of cases, when a poacher kills an endangered rhino, elephant or another animal only for its hide, horns, tusks and ebony is unfortunately on the rise. The park rangers at the Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park in Mozambique frequently find set loop traps and empty shells just as dozens of crippled and slaughtered animals.

In July 2011 a poacher, who shot down a male elephant near the city Chicualacuala, inflicted also further extensive damage. After carving up the body and extracting the tusks that he wanted to sell to the ebony traders, he then covered the meat and eyes with cyanide, thereby poisoning a number of other animals, including lions, leopards, and over sixty vultures. This poacher was apprehended and handed over to the local police along with his containers of poison, which were found during the arrest.

50 new rangers

The capture of poachers is a success for the newly trained rangers and also a motivation for their further work in protecting the Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park and its precious fauna and flora. The ranger team surveillances the part territory almost daily. They try to track and monitor the movement of the rare and endangered species, such as the rhino or elephant for example. They also have a helicopter at their disposal and some of the animals are actually tagged with a chip, which makes it possible to track them by GPS. Currently there are 50 new rangers being trained by the police and army directly. After completing their mandatory training, they will immediately join in the protection of the park. They will be equipped as best as possible – incl. with AK47, night vision goggles, radio and GPS navigation.

All the captured poachers are handed over to the police by the rangers along with documented evidence. An unfortunate local reality is that the apprehended poachers in due time are released from police custody and return right to poaching as it is a good source of income.

About Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park

Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park spans across Mozambique and is one of the largest private African parks. It neighbors and fluently ties into the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe. The primary objective for the Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park is to protect the natural wealth preserved in the area that is practically untouched by humans. Another integral activity of this park is a sensitive, sustainable and long term development of local communities.

Park activities focus on the construction of schools, hospitals, healthcare facilities, water reservoirs or the development of local infrastructure. All these steps are taken with utmost consideration for the environment while respecting the pristine state and beauty of this area.

Currently Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park is looking for other companies, which would get involved in the Community Development Program and help with financing of other planned projects.

Contact information

Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park, Česká republika
www.gonarezhoupark.com
Bc. Gabriela Dihelová
phone: +420 721 300 000
email: gabriela@gonarezhoupark.com

Community Development Program Coordinator:
www.pomahameafrice.cz.
Dana Neumanová
phone: +420 720 400 000
email: dana@pomahameafrice.cz

Related websites:

www.gonarezhoupark.com
www.pomahameafrice.cz