Pietermaritzburg – A suspect has been caught red-handed trying to remove the horn of a white rhino at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (HiP) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
HiP Park Manager Amos Khetha Tembe was injured in the process of arresting the suspect and has since been admitted to a hospital.
“On behalf of the department, we wish him a speedy recovery,” Siboniso Duma, the KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, said on Saturday.
“We wish to salute game rangers for their dedication in the fight against wildlife crime.
“The cutting-edge technology and their alertness is the reason why they stopped poachers from removing the horn of a rhino.”
The suspect was caught “sawing off” the rhino horn, MEC Duma said, adding that he was “currently in custody”.
Unfortunately, the rhino succumbed to bullet injuries and died.
Protecting the rhino has economic benefits
MEC Duma said: “Despite being under threat due to poaching, this protected species continues to contribute towards the growth of eco-tourism not only in KZN but in South Africa and the whole continent.
“As it is known, most of the white rhinos can trace their origin to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Park.
“It is for these reasons that HiP is known as the birthplace of the rhino. “We have agreed with the newly appointed CEO Sihle Mkhize that more resources must be deployed to strengthen the work of Game Rangers.”
MEC Duma said game rangers are unsung heroes and heroines who often risk their personal lives in the service of the nation.
“We have agreed with the new CEO that one of his main responsibilities is to boost their morale and ensure that their working conditions are improved,” said MEC Duma.
“We will continue to support the work of the Ezemvelo Board as chaired by Ms. Lydia Johnson.
“They continue to work with traditional leaders and communities to ensure that they benefit from ecotourism products and conservation services.”
MEC Duma said the long-term plan was to use the portion of the revenue generated through conservation services to implement viable projects based on the needs of local communities.
“Finally, we continue to receive reports of an increase in the number of tourists to more than 114 protected areas and close to 40 accommodation facilities managed by Ezemvelo,” MEC Duma.
“Broadly speaking, we expect more than 845 000 visitors to KZN and 52 000 will be international tourists.
“Tourism as a sector is projected to contribute R3, 6 billion to the provincial economy.”
