At a July 1 ceremony in Durban’s Beachwood Nature Reserve, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife received more than four million Rand worth of anti-poaching equipment from the United States government. The donated equipment includes night-vision goggles, vehicle GPS systems, portable x-ray units, binoculars, cameras, two-way radios, and metal detectors. This equipment will assist rangers in their daily patrols and aid in investigations of suspected poachers.
When addressing guests, U.S. Consul General, Frances Chisholm said the U.S. government recognizes wildlife trafficking as a form of transnational organized crime. “Well-armed, well-equipped, and well-organized networks of criminals profit
from wildlife trafficking, like other forms of transnational organized criminal activity such as drug and arms trafficking and money laundering. For these reasons, the United States addresses wildlife trafficking not only as a conservation issue but also a national security, corruption, and law enforcement issue.”
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