The first half of the month saw a similar trend to that seen in November, with poachers making the most of the relatively open bush and scattered rain. This saw the VFAPU Rangers reacting to multiple incursions.

One particular incursion happened at 05h15 on a Tuesday morning. One of our smart camera traps strategically placed was triggered by the movement of a person entering the bush. Immediately a VFAPU Unit was dispatched to investigate.

This proved to be no easy task, as this particular suspect was using various anti-tracking methods to avoid detection. However, a skilled VFAPU unit managed to follow the spoor and identified a newly laid snare line.

A plan was hatched to ambush the snare line and apprehend the poacher when he returned to check.

An early start on Wednesday morning to be sure that our ambush teams were in place before the suspect began his checks. Unfortunately, there was a hiccup with obtaining a Parks Ranger whom we needed to ambush within the Parks Estate. By 5 am, with time no longer on our side, we abandoned the ambush idea, and instead, the VFAPU Rangers set up observation posts at some of the known entry points to the area where the poacher was operating. By 05h30 he was back and detected by our camera.

Fortunately, no animals had succumbed to his traps, and so after a bit of adjustment, he left them for another day, sure to return in the morning to check again.

Another early start on Thursday morning and this time we managed to secure a Parks Ranger to accompany us.

By 04h30, the ambush team was in position. The team consisted of VFAPU Rangers, a Parks Ranger as well as a K9 unit from the Take Action Trust.

Now it was a waiting game!

As the hours ticked by, the team remained motionless, straining to see or hear any sign of the poacher approaching. Then at about 09h15 he suddenly appeared. Unaware of the ambush team lying in wait, he proceeded to check his snare line.

In a flurry, the ambush team revealed themselves which caused the poacher to turn and flee. With great athleticism and support from the K9 Unit, he didn’t get far before being apprehended.

He was immediately identified as a notorious poacher who had already served several jail terms for his poaching antics. The most recent saw him being released at the end of October after serving 6 months. Some people simply cannot shake bad habits!

Due to the quick reaction of the VFAPU Rangers, this poacher was not successful in actually catching anything. A great win for conservation. After a quick sentencing, this poacher is now behind bars for a further 6 months. It’s a little less than we would have liked given his reputation, but without having killed an animal several charges could not be pressed. This is an area of focus in the new year as we hope to expand our work with an organization called Speak Out For Wildlife who aid and assists in wildlife crime at the Court level. Ensuring maximum sentences are issued to offenders.

December also saw several joint operations between VFAPU Rangers, National Parks and a bunch of Learner Guides in the area, keen to help out in conservation. Extensive snare sweeps were conducted in the sections of the Park that surround the Town. These proved a great success as we managed to average a team size of 15 people, covering much more land. Some great sightings were had on these sweeps, including an impressive male leopard, a herd of 20+ Eland as well as herds of buffalo and elephant. Unfortunately, several poaching signs were also discovered, ranging from several months old, to a week old. Not great to see, but very important for intelligence gathering.

VFAPU Rangers managed to remove 44 snares from their area of operation, eliminating a dangerous threat to our wildlife. We also assisted the VFWT with a distressed Warthog that had taken up shelter in a flower bed in the Pick n Pay car park. This larger-than-normal animal had a snare around its snout. Although not yet causing any wounds, it was restricting his ability to eat freely. What was supposed to be an observation role very quickly became a tackle and restraining role. With the obesity of the town-dwelling warthog, the tranquillizer drugs did not take full effect and we had to physically manhandle the drowsy pig long enough to remove the snare and treat the wounds.

Success was had, and this warthog is back to its junk food-eating ways around the town.