{"id":14971,"date":"2019-09-04T13:34:34","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T13:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parquelimpopo.gov.mz\/?p=14971"},"modified":"2023-05-18T13:35:02","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T13:35:02","slug":"rhino-poachers-sentenced-to-lengthy-imprisonment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parquelimpopo.gov.mz\/pt\/2019\/09\/04\/rhino-poachers-sentenced-to-lengthy-imprisonment\/","title":{"rendered":"Rhino poachers sentenced to lengthy imprisonment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mozambique has sent a clear message of no-tolerance to perpetrators of wildlife crimes, handing down prison sentences of 17 and 19 years respectively to two rhino poachers.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rapid response, well-coordinated efforts and irrefutable evidence provided by the Limpopo National Park anti-poaching unit, working in close collaboration with their counterparts across the border in Kruger National Park, led to the arrest and conviction of the two poachers in Mozambique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Events started to unfold when, on the evening of 29 August 2018, South African National Parks rangers in Kruger informed members of the joint Kruger-Limpopo security group that a gunshot had been reported. On investigation the next morning, they discovered two poached rhino carcasses just across the border inside Limpopo National Park with horns removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Limpopo NP responded to Kruger\u2019s alerts by rapidly deploying a patrol unit of National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) rangers to the scene by vehicle. Tracking commenced, but unfortunately, fading daylight forced the teams to pause the search on the ground, whilst investigations continued behind the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefitting from a powerful community information network that has been put in place over the years, a phone tip indicated that the rhino poachers had arrived at a village in a neighbouring district. A patrol from the base closest to this village moved in and captured the suspects, who were found in possession of the two pairs of horns, as well as a .375 rifle and ammunition. Following standard processing at the Limpopo NP headquarters, they were handed over to the Mapai district police and prosecutor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ensuring a rightful conviction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With the perpetrators in hand, the teams on the ground needed to ensure that all necessary evidence would be collected and compiled to put forth a strong case in court and guarantee a fitting conviction. Intricate crime-scene analysis was conducted at the poaching site by the joint Kruger-Limpopo investigation team. They found bullets in the carcasses, which were registered as part of evidence to the case. In addition, the Limpopo NP crime investigation unit provided the prosecutor with hard evidence of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n