Suspected Zambian poacher abandons 13 elephant tusks at police roadblock in Botswana

[NamStay]

Police in Botswana have launched a manhunt for a Zambian national who bolted from a checkpoint and abandoned a Mercedes Benz laden with 13 elephant tusks.

The incident happened at the Ngwasha Veterinary checkpoint near the north-central town of Nata village on June 7. The motorist, suspected to be a Zambian poacher, had just been flagged down for a routine search of his vehicle when he bolted into the bush.

Superintendent Vincent Pitseetsile of Nata Police Station said the suspect was driving from the general direction of Maun and going towards Kasane, which lies on Botswana northern border with Zambia.

The suspect, who was driving a Mercedes Benz with Zambian registration plates, disembarked from the car under the pretext of helping the police open the car boot.

Upon searching the car, the police found 13 elephant tusks inside the boot, and it is believed that the suspect intended to smuggle the contraband to Zambia.

“We are still pursuing the matter. I am yet to receive the details of the driver’s license which the suspect abandoned in police custody. Investigations are underway,” said Pitseetsile.

Police at the checkpoint did not trail the suspect because the local forest is infested with dangerous wild animals that include elephants, lions, buffalo and leopard.


Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/suspected-zambian-poacher-abandons-13-elephant-tusks-police-nkala/

 

[dobber]

can only hope it ended with him being stomped to a bloody pulp

 

[flatwater bill]

"the local forest is infested with dangerous wild animals".....Oh my, sounds like a scary place......FWB

 

[NamStay]

IVORY POACHER SHOT DEAD NEAR ZIM NATIONAL PARK

A conservation group says 15 tusks were retrieved and its believed the poacher may have been on his way back to Zambia from Botswana.

HARARE - A Zambian ivory poacher has been shot dead near Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.

A conservation group says 15 tusks were retrieved and it is believed the poacher may have been on his way back to Zambia from Botswana.

Conservation group the Bhejane Trust says the poacher was shot dead during an exchange of fire with a policeman and a national parks ranger.

The shootout on Friday happened in the Matetsi area, close to Zimbabwe’s border with Botswana.

Five porters got away, but the poacher’s rifle and 15 elephant tusks were retrieved.

The Bhejane Trust says the poacher may have been crossing through Zimbabwe from Botswana.

Zimbabwe’s national parks authority has confirmed the death of the poacher, which comes two weeks after another suspected poacher was shot and killed in the Chipinge Safari area in the south-east of the country.


Source: http://ewn.co.za/2018/07/02/ivory-poacher-shot-dead-near-zim-national-park