Cape Town – South African National Parks (SANParks), Sea, and Air Mountain (SEAM) rangers have nabbed suspected bark strippers in the Newlands Forest.
Narrating events leading to the arrests, SANParks on Saturday, (19 April 2025), said: “Following a tip off, SANParks, AND SEAM rangers conducted a foot patrol through Newlands Forest via the Woodcutter’s Trail where they detected suspicious activity, including chanting and chopping sounds within the forest”.
SANParks added: “Following the noise, the team discovered four individuals actively stripping bark.
“Two were seen chopping while the other two packed bark into backpacks. Upon attempting to apprehend the suspects, they fled the scene, abandoning tools and evidence.
“A SEAM K9 successfully apprehended one suspect, while two others were caught by rangers.
“A search of the area uncovered a panga, an axe, and four backpacks containing stripped bark.”
SANParks said the arrested individuals, along with the seized evidence, were transported to Claremont Police Station where they were formally charged.
“This operation underscores the ongoing efforts to protect our natural heritage and enforce laws against illegal resource harvesting within protected areas,” SANParks said.
