MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Officials of the Mossel Bay Municipality, including the Environmental Department and K9 and Tactical Response units were trained in the fields of stock theft and illegal trade in fauna and flora this week. 

The Wildlife Crime Information Network (WCIN) organised the workshop and invited speakers to host it. Staff from CapeNature and the police's Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit were among the presenters during the training, held at the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) of the municipality. 

Following the training, a joint operation was launched by the municipal entities in collaboration with the police. The municipality noted that during the operation, stalls selling traditional medication and herbs were inspected and goods illegally possessed were confiscated and arrests made. 

It said that earlier this year, municipal Law Enforcement and the K9 Unit embarked on joint operations in Dana Bay and Great Brak River to do inspections and remove snares. Both successful operations were done in collaboration with conservancies in the two areas. 

Municipal K9 Unit members Gurshwin Rhode and Marquin Roelofse listing the confiscated goods. Photo: Supplied

"As part of an integrated approach to the protection of wildlife, the Rhino Action Group also holds an office at the JOC. "With the number of game farms located in the Mossel Bay area, this forms an integral part of enhancing community safety," noted the municipality. 

"The Belgian Malinois dogs in the municipal K9 unit are trained for personal protection and to sniff out narcotics, firearms and endangered species." 

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’