US embassy helps fight rhino poaching

10 Dec 2014

PRETORIA: The US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has donated a trailer containing surveillance and investigative equipment to help the Free State fight the illegal trade in fauna and flora, as well as rhino poaching.

"This trailer will carry forensic equipment to crime scenes, ensuring rangers and environmental management inspectors have the tools they need to properly collect evidence," the Free State Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs said.

Two US embassy ambassadors visited the province on Tuesday to train the nature reserve rangers on how to use surveillance and investigative equipment.

The US embassy based in Pretoria will conduct the workshop at the Maria Moroka Nature Reserve in Thaba Nchu, north of Bloemfontein.

Last year, US President Barack Obama pledged his support in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

The provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has been working with the police, conducting 17 roadblocks within the borders of the province.

Twenty cases of fauna and flora were before the court, two of those cases were related to rhino poaching.

Source: SAnews.gov.za

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