REITZ – A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Reitz and a 19-year-old man fined R3 000 in Clarens following separate incidents involving the alleged illegal possession and online trade of wild animals.

Leopard tortoise rescued in Reitz

The South African Police Service (SAPS), working with the Wildlife Crime Information Network (WCIN) Cross-Border Investigations and Anti-Poaching Operations, acted on intelligence relating to the alleged online trade of wildlife through social media platforms.

According to the Free State SAPS, the intelligence led officers to a 30-year-old suspect in Reitz who had allegedly advertised a leopard tortoise for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

The suspect was traced to his workplace and subsequently accompanied officials to his residence. The leopard tortoise was found at the property and rescued before it could allegedly be sold.

The man was arrested for allegedly possessing a protected wild animal without the required permits and conducting a restricted activity without the necessary authorisation.

Police said the alleged offences contravene Section 57(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, which regulates activities involving protected species.

Jackal pup rescued in Clarens

In a separate incident, information shared by the integrated team led to the rescue of a jackal pup in Clarens.

The animal had allegedly been kept inside a house and advertised for sale online.

The 19-year-old man found in possession of the jackal pup was issued with a R3 000 fine in terms of Section 40(1)(c) of the Free State Nature Conservation Ordinance 8 of 1969.

Public warned about wildlife permits

Public warned about wildlife permits

The two incidents have highlighted concerns about the illegal online trade in wildlife and the importance of intelligence sharing between law enforcement agencies, conservation authorities and wildlife crime organisations.

The public is urged to familiarise themselves with the laws governing the possession, transport and trade of wild animals and plants.

Authorities emphasised that it is illegal to collect, possess, transport or keep wild animals without the required permits or authorisation from the relevant provincial nature conservation authorities.

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