Rhino poached at local game reserve

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Police in the Southern Cape are on a manhunt for an unconfirmed number of suspects after a rhino horn was found in their possession on Tuesday evening, 2 May.

George Herald's sister publication, Mossel Bay Advertiser, confirmed that it is the horn of one of the white rhinos at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. The reserve is situated just outside Little Brak River.

According to a source close to George Herald, the suspects were stopped at a roadblock between George and Wilderness where the rhino horn was found in their possession. The horn was confiscated but the suspects managed to flee from police.

By the time of going to print on Wednesday morning, the suspects were still at large and police were reportedly on their trail.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies confirmed that a rhino horn was seized at the roadblock on the N2 opposite Eden Church. He said George police opened an enquiry docket after the seizure. No further information was available by the time of going to print.

This photo of a group of happy white rhino was taken at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve last year. Photo: Kristy Kolberg

Update on 4 May

Since news broke of the poaching, George Herald has learnt that the suspect(s) were last seen in the Humansdorp area in the Eastern Cape where they allegedly abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot.

In response to a media enquiry sent to the police earlier this week, Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, said the Oudtshoorn stock theft and endangered species unit is investigating a case of illegal hunting of an endangered species after the police seized the rhino horn.

“Preliminary information indicates that police members were in pursuit of a vehicle after it went through a roadblock on the N2 at the entrance to George. During the chase, the vehicle stopped just outside George and dropped a package. Upon further investigation, members discovered that the package contained a rhino horn which was then seized. This vehicle was later pulled over in the Eastern Cape, but the occupant fled on foot,” said Spies.

This photo of a group of happy white rhino was taken at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve last year. Photo: Kristy Kolberg