http://www.huntingreport.com/w...te.cfm?articleid=584



Thieves Target Trophy Shipment From Botswana

(posted November 08, 2011)

In a brazen hijacking, thieves stole a shipment of trophies in transit from Botswana late last week in Johannesburg, South Africa. Thanks to satellite tracking technology and the quick response of South African authorities, the shipment was quickly recovered in its entirety and two of the thieves were arrested. The incident is apparently the newest twist in ivory smuggling. The Hunting Report received word of the robbery from Debbie Peake of Mochaba Developments in Botswana. Peake writes:

"A truck and trailer containing a number of Botswana trophy shipments was hijacked by an armed group of five people in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday 4th November, 2011 at 08:25. The truck and trailer were en route to Johannesburg International Airport to unload trophy shipments. The truck and trailer were well equipped and contained a number of satellite tracking devices, which were instantly mobilized when the hijacking took place. Agents in Johannesburg swiftly responded with armed vehicle and helicopter support to recover the truck, trailer and contents within a very short period. Two arrests were made, and three men escaped. Each shipment and its contents has been accounted for, and will be processed for further clearing and shipping during the course of this coming week.

"At this stage, the South African Police are not certain where the breach in security occurred. Officials from SA Nature Conservation and other internal security agencies are investigating the incident. Debbie Peake of Mochaba Developments (Pty) Limited wishes to reassure hunters with trophy shipments pending in Botswana that their shipments are secure, whilst further security measures are being put into place to accompany and protect trophy shipments being shipped cross-border for onward shipping/delivery to international destinations. Contact will be made with clients and outfitters as these security measures are implemented. Clients may contact Debbie Peake of Mochaba Developments in Maun at debbie@mochaba.net.

"Safari operators and outfitters also wish to reassure all current, future and prospective clients that Botswana continues as the prime elephant hunting destination and each operator values and appreciates the ongoing support. Shipping of hunting trophies will continue under additional and appropriate security measures to prevent any further incident."

Although this particular shipment was fully recovered and security measures are being taken to protect future shipments, this new approach by ivory smugglers is sufficient cause for hunters to purchase insurance for all their African trophy shipments. Your broker or shipping agent should be able to help you secure coverage. The Hunting Report will report more on trophy shipment insurance in the next issue of the newsletter.

Creative criminals... Three more to find though.
Glad they had GPS technology on board the truck.
Shipping just got more expensive!

can't help but wonder how they knew about the truck. certainly it was targeted