I don't think anyone has posted this one yet....

http://www.rhinos-irf.org/en/art/1163/

My clients told me about the shooting. Interesting that these people are chiefs etc.and from Harare. These are not hungry subsistence hunters.

Mark

Here is the full text:


Poacher shot dead in dramatic shootout

A 34-YEAR-OLD poacher was shot dead by the police and game rangers from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in a dramatic shootout that led to the arrest of three other poachers.

The incident occurred at Humani Range in the Save Conservancy of Chiredzi where they intended to poach the rhino for its valued horn.

The four daring poachers returned fire with a .303 rifle that they were armed with after police had fired warning shots resulting in the fierce exchange of gunfire between the poachers and the police who were in the company of three rangers from the department of Parks and Wildlife Authority.

Police spokesman for Masvingo Province, Inspector Tinaye Matake, confirmed the shooting and the death of Wonder Sango of Checheche Business Centre in Chiredzi and the arrest of three of his accomplices.

“Police and game rangers, who were on routine patrol in the Save Conservancy, shot dead Wonder Sango in a shootout that ensued after the poachers refused to surrender and pay heed to police orders.

“Prior to the shooting to death of Sango who was shot twice on the forehead, police had fired warning shots and the poachers returned fire resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire which led to the arrest of three others,’’ he said.

The police managed to arrest the trio — Munyaradzi Chiro (27) of village Chikwaikwai, Chief Mutasa in Rusape who is presently residing at Number 6405 Westley in Harare and employed at the Tobacco Processing Industry, James Mupindu (38) of Chikura Village, headman Devedzo, Chief Makoni in Rusape a resident of Warren Park D in Harare and Andrew Murozvi (36) of Godze Village, headman Gumunyu, Chief Chirwa in Gokwe, who is also a resident of Warren Park D in Harare.

He said the two police officers and three game rangers from the department of Parks and Wildlife Management Authority were doing their routine checks in the conservancy as part of efforts to curb the rampant poaching activities that were threatening wildlife.

Inspector Matake said they then received information that four poachers were in the conservancy with the intention of killing the rhino for its horn.

The police officers, who were armed laid an ambush in the conservancy and when the four poachers got into the conservancy they fired warning shots and ordered them to stop and surrender whatever weapon they have.

Instead, however, the poachers returned fire and a fierce shootout ensued that resulted in the shooting of Sango who was returning fire with the .303 rifle.

Inspector Matake said Sango was shot twice on the forehead and he died on the spot while the three other poachers had their attempts to run away foiled by the police and were arrested.

The rifle was recovered with 13 rounds of ammunition and spent cartridges.

Ten elephants were gunned down by poachers in the Gonarezhou National Park sometime this year where police recovered spent cartridges, hacksaws and other items that were used in the commission of the offence. The poachers were not arrested.

Cheers,

~ Alan

No sympathy,none.

Rot in Hell.

Well, it's like they say about lawyers: it's a start, however, they breed like rabbits!

Poor starving folks from Harae should be given an opportunity ti drive 14 hours from home to Save and cut off the Rhino horns to have enuff money to fund their next poaching adventure...

I just got back from the Save today. In the last couple of weeks there have been some fires on the ARDA section. While fighting these fires, the carcasses of 2 rhinos were found minus horns.

It is a significant problem.