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13 Dec 2022

Snare Aware push poachers out Karridene greenbelt

Britney Edwards (South Coast Sun) Picture: Supplied. A sharpened stick with snare attached, which was pulled out by whatever got caught in it and had a lucky escape.

A team of four Snare Aware members headed out into their current hotspot area in Karridene recently, to follow-up on their previous sweeps of the area.

“Once again, the poachers had been back at work. Four active snares were found on the day, three of which were all on the same game path. This lead us to the conclusion that we are slowly winning the cat and mouse game with these poachers,” said a member, whose identity cannot be disclosed due to safety concerns.

Snare Aware have gradually found less and less snares every time they have swept this greenbelt. The member said the poachers now seem to be operating in smaller targeted sections of the area, as opposed to the widespread operation they originally encountered.

“This once again cements our method of keeping pressure on an area to drive the poachers out,” said the member.

One animal got a lucky escape after it came into contact with one of the snares. The member said they found a sharpened stick with a pulled noose that the animal had pulled out the ground.

“We also discovered a deep pit trap, which seemed to have had something fall in. However, the bamboo shoots used to cover the hole had wedged near the top, possibly also allowing whatever fell in an escape from this cruel trap,” said the member.

The member added that the poachers in this area are relentless, but so are they. Snare Aware will continue to apply pressure in this area until they give up and move off.

To report any poaching incidents you may witness, contact SAcan WhatsApp on 083 799 1916 or SAcan Hotline on 086 167 2226.