Durban — There were heroic scenes at the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (HiP) in KwaZulu-Natal after a rhino poacher was arrested just moments after he shot a White Rhino.
During the arrest, the HiP park manager, Amos Khetha Tembe, was shot and rushed to hospital, while the rhino unfortunately succumbed to his injuries after being shot by the poacher, IOL reported.
According to KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Siboniso Duma, he praised the efforts to thwart the Rhino poaching attempt and extended wishes to Tembe for a speedy recovery for the injuries he sustained.
“We wish to salute game rangers for their dedication in the fight against wildlife crime. The cutting edge technology and their alertness is the reason why they stopped poachers from removing the horn of a rhino. Despite being under threat due to poaching, this protected species continue to contribute towards the growth of eco-tourism not only in KZN but in South Africa and the whole continent,” he said.
*Rhino Poaching attempt defeated by our dedicated Game Rangers*
Statement by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Siboniso Duma_
Pietermaritzburg:
In my capacity as the MEC for Environmental Affairs, I wish to
report that I have been briefed… pic.twitter.com/eFPjqNEEtz— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) December 23, 2023
He noted that Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Park, often regarded as the birthplace of the White Rhino, plays a vital role in the species’ conservation.
Duma also acknowledged the appointment of a new CEO of Ezemvelo, Sihle Mkhize, to help allocate more resources and to bolster the efforts of the game rangers, and to boost their morale and confidence in their work.
“We have agreed with the newly appointed CEO Sihle Mkhize that more resources much be deployed to strengthen the work of Game Rangers. We have agreed with the new CEO that one of his main responsibilities is to boost their morale and ensure that their working conditions are improved,” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
