Five suspects arrested with live pangolin in South Africa
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
South African police arrested five people in Kuruman, Northern Cape, after discovering a live adult pangolin in their vehicle. Four men and one woman are due to appear in the Kuruman court for illegal possession of a threatened species, according to South African police.
The five occupants of a grey Renault were arrested in Kuruman, Northern Cape province, after a live adult pangolin was found in a red bag during a search of the vehicle. The four men and one woman were arrested on Tuesday during a high-density patrol conducted as part of Operation Shanela II, said Northern Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane, quoted by IOL.
The five suspects are due to appear before the Kuruman magistrates' court and face charges of illegal possession of a threatened species under South Africa’s National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, Molefi Shemane said. The WWF says pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammals, particularly to China and Vietnam for their meat and scales, while in South Africa they are also poached for traditional medicine.
South African authorities are calling on residents of the John Taolo Gaetsewe district to report any information concerning the poaching, trade or illegal possession of threatened species, according to Molefi Shemane. The spokesperson said the capture, poaching and illegal possession of protected animals are criminal offences.
