Joint Operation heeds successful arrest and intelligence
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Sea, Air and Mountain (SEAM) team together with the K9 unit and various law enforcement agencies, set up a counter poaching operation that lasted 18 hours in the Simonstown area, resulting in the arrest of a male suspect found in possession of 397 shucked abalone and eight (8) whole abalone.
Ahead of the operation, TMNP received information that illegal poaching activity was imminent within the TMNPs Marine Protected Areas (MPA). Rangers, together with officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE); South African Police Services (SAPS); South African National Parks (SANParks) marine team and the City Law Enforcement, searched a number of vehicles, profiled suspected divers, searched hotspot areas, and deployed a SAPS chopper to narrow down the location for thirteen (13) divers who fled towards the mountain. Due to poor visibility in the area, the chopper needed to land sooner than anticipated.
“I would like to congratulate the rangers and assisting law enforcement agencies on the successful operation carried out in Simonstown. These types of operations allow us to gather much needed intelligence to devise a plan to combat environmental crime on land and within the MPA,” said TMNP Park Manager, Mr. Frans Van Rooyen.
We urge our surrounding communities to continue helping us in a fight to curb crime within and around Table Mountain National Park. Congratulations to the entire SANParks team and we thank you for your dedication, obedience and tenacity.
Well Done to All of You.
Please give us an effective whatsapp number other than Carl N’s number, so that members of the public in and around Simon’s Town can report poaching. Many of us are residents, workers, tour guides, etc and we see the poachers setting up before the Rangers do.
Hi Frank – you can contact & report directly on our Website