In a victory for wildlife conservation efforts, a 61-year-old man from Sakabako village was convicted and sentenced for illegally possessing a cache of wire snares within a game area in Karoi, Zimbabwe.
The accused, whose identity was not disclosed, was brought before the Karoi Magistrates’ Court after being caught red-handed by a team of game scouts from the African Conservancy. The incident occurred on June 8th, 2024, at around 6 a.m. in the Chatikira game area.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, Ambuish Mugande, a game scout employed by the African Conservancy, was conducting a routine patrol with other rangers when they came across the accused actively resetting a set of wire snares that the team had previously disturbed. Upon spotting the rangers, the man attempted to flee the scene, but was ultimately apprehended and detained.
The game scouts then escorted the accused back to the location, where they recovered a total of 13 class 1 wire snares, 2 axes, and a knife. The possession of these types of traps, known as “class 1 traps,” is a clear violation of The Trapping of Animals and Control Act.
The court convicted the individual and sentenced him to 6 months in prison, with 3 months suspended for 5 years. The remaining 3-month sentence was further suspended on the condition that the accused performs 105 hours of community service.
This conviction serves as a strong deterrent against the illegal use of wire snares and other traps within Zimbabwe’s protected game areas. The swift action taken by the African Conservancy’s game scouts, coupled with the Karoi Magistrates’ Court’s firm stance, underscores the commitment to safeguarding the country’s precious wildlife resources.
As conservation efforts continue to evolve, cases like this highlight the crucial role played by dedicated game scouts and the legal system in combating poaching and other environmental crimes. The sentence imposed on the accused individual sends a clear message that such unlawful activities will not be tolerated.