Two wildlife smugglers are facing the book after being found trying to send several endangered reptiles via the postal system.
Johannesburg, South Africa (16 February 2023) – Several endangered reptile species have been saved from the clutches of wildlife smugglers after conservationists intercepted the animals being sent via the postal service. The two suspects were arrested and will now have to face justice.
The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (SAWRC) shared the good news via Facebook last week upon rescuing several lizards and snakes.
A PostNet branch in Pretoria contacted its local snake catchers for assistance, as staff realised that one of the parcels scheduled for delivery to KZN contained suspicious contents. Those contents included a pair of Sungazer Lizards, a lone Van Dam’s Girdled Lizard and a lone Snouted Cobra.
The call for assistance went out via a snake-related WhatsApp group and one of the SAWRC rescuers quickly set off to the PostNet to check on the animals. The team shared that the Sungazer Lizard is protected due to its vulnerable status, which meant bad news for the smugglers!
“[The] Protected Sungazer lizards (Smaug giganteus) is also known as “Ouvolk”. These magnificent reptiles are very sought after in both the pet and traditional medicine trade, locally and overseas. Despite their “Vulnerable” conservation status, they are still illegally harvested by poachers. This species is protected under the ToPS (Threatened or Protected Species) act”
“Getting caught with any ToPS species illegally, requires a criminal arrest, (as it is beyond paying a mere fine for an offense of this nature). A criminal inquest is therefore opened, and the offender(s) are required to appear in court.
To make matters even worse, the parcel also contained some Van Dam’s Girdled Lizards, which are Schedule II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).”
SAWRC were thankful one of their own had attended to the call as they could quickly initiate the correct protocols to secure the scene and bring in the correct officials. The rescuer contacted the Gauteng Department of Agricultural and Rural Development and while they waited for the team to arrive, one of the smugglers arrived back at the branch.
The PostNet team had called the smuggler to alert them that a snake had escaped so the smuggler rushed back to the branch, unaware that officials were also on the way to the scene.
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“While waiting for the authorities, the sender of the parcel arrived back at the PostNet branch, as he had been contacted regarding a snake that had escaped from one of the parcels which he had dropped off. Turmoil ensued as various role-players (who had been contacted), quickly pulled together to corner the suspects, while our rescuer hid with the animals until the authorities were on site. The two suspects were subsequently arrested on scene.”
A team was sent to the smuggler’s home where more illegal wildlife was found.
“The search yielded several more illegal animals. These included further ToPS species being found – A young Southern African python (Python natalensis) as well as some Bullfrogs – Pyxicephalus sp.). A Boomslang, monitor lizards, chameleons and other reptiles were also confiscated. Adding to the long list of offenses committed, the offenders will also be charged for attempting to send / transport wildlife in this manner.”
This is a massive win for wildlife as two smugglers have been arrested and will most likely face a very hefty fine or up to 10 years in prison. All the wildlife has since been rescued and in due course, will be able to live free and full lives again.
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