Two white rhinos (a bull and a cow) were shot and killed at the Botsalano Nature Reserve on Christmas.
These rhinos were previously legally dehorned by departmental conservation staff.
The carcasses of poached rhinos were discovered by Field Rangers whilst conducting their routine security operational patrols in the Nature Reserve.
Bitsa Lenkopane, the MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) in the North West Province, has condemned the incident.
“We are well aware that poaching perpetrators are taking advantage of the festive holidays to infiltrate our reserves but we are intensifying security to prevent this criminality from happening again. Investigations are well underway and we are working together with all relevant law enforcement agencies. We will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of those who have carried out these evil deeds” said Lenkopane.
She also asked communities around the reserves to observe and alert law enforcement agencies when suspicious activities are detected.
The South African Police Services (SAPS) together with the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) and the Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMIs) are jointly investigating the matter.
The Department has also notified the public of a separate incident, elsewhere in Mafikeng, where two rhinos escaped from a Nature Reserve on 25th December 2024.
“Escaped rhinos were successfully driven back into the reserve by staff members on Thursday 26th December 2024” she said.
Picture: Martin Harvey