New wildlife unit to tackle poaching
Tony Carnie
September 14 2009 at 11:47AM



A new special investigations unit will be formed to tackle the rhino-poaching crisis and other high-profile environmental crimes, Environment Minister Buyelwa Sonjica has announced.

The decision was taken at a meeting in KwaZulu-Natal between Sonjica, national deputy minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi and Environment MECs from some of the nine provinces to discuss new ways of halting the spate of rhino poaching that has led to the slaughter of at least 84 rhinos since January.

Sonjica did not disclose any details on the budget, size and composition of the proposed unit, but said its purpose would be to deal will all high-profile and organised conservation and environmental crimes.

Observers have welcomed the move and expressed hope that it could fulfil a similar role to that of the former Endangered Species Protection Unit, which was disbanded several years ago by the SA Police Service.

Members of the former unit were based in the main Skukuza camp in Kruger National Park and played a leading role in wildlife crime investigation nationwide.


This article was originally published on page 3 of The Mercury on September 14, 2009