Maria David
THE police in the Otjozondjupa region arrested two men aged 27 and 31 for allegedly attempting to poach a Rhino at a lodge outside Otjiwarongo.
The two face charges of illegal hunting of protected game and trespassing.
Otjozondjupa police spokesperson, Inspector Maureen Mbeha, confirmed the arrest on Thursday.
According to Mbeha, the incident occurred between 13 July 2023 and 16 July 2023.
She alleged that the poachers entered a game lodge outside Otjiwarongo with the intention to hunt Rhinos.
She indicated that four different pairs of strange footprints were detected on the farm, and a quick response from the police and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) were summoned, together with other stakeholders.
“The special operation led to the arrest of two male suspects, while three more suspects are still at large,” she said.
She added that no firearm was recovered, and the Rhino that the poachers were chasing around was not injured.
The search for fleeing suspects is ongoing.
Police investigation into the matter continues.
