Small team, big impact: Snare Aware removes 17 snares in Illovo
In just over a week, members of Snare Aware conducted three sweeps, which led to the discovery and removal of 17 snares.
AFTER spending time at various conservancies around the province, Snare Aware conducted sweeps in Illovo where members removed 17 snares in just over a week.
A member of Snare Aware, whose identity cannot be disclosed due to safety concerns, said they have been on the road quite a bit recently, sharing their knowledge and experiences with various conservancies as well as sweeping the greenbelts all around KZN.
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“But it is also important to stay on top of things ‘back home’ in and around Amanzimtoti. With that in mind, one member decided to do a mid-week sweep in an area in Illovo that was once a hotspot area but which for some time had remained quiet and free of snares,” said the member.
They said six snares were found that morning, proving that the team have to remain active in an area, even if they think they are winning the battle. “Because only a small portion of this bush was covered, two days later, a team of three went back in to cover more ground. Another nine snares were found and removed that day, just a little bit farther over from the ground that had been covered,” said the member.
A week later, two members went back and removed another two snares. This brought their total to 17 snares in just over a week.
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The member added that they are excited their core group has started to increase in numbers recently, with a lot of people returning to assist them again after their first snare sweep event.
“Contact us if you would like to get involved, even if there isn’t a public event coming up in your area. We are busy sweeping somewhere every weekend, and sometimes a smaller team is needed rather than a big public event. We’d love to meet you and see how you can get involved,” said the member.
For more information or to get involved, reach out to Snare Aware’s Facebook or Instagram page. Alternatively, to report any poaching incidents you may witness, contact SAcan WhatsApp on 083 799 1916 or their hotline on 086 167 2226.
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