Six Elephant Poachers Caught in Mozambique Reserve

Six suspected poachers were arrested in Marrupa on Sunday in a joint operation conducted by the Mecula District police, Luwire scouts and Niassa National Reserve Wildlife Conservation Society scouts. The arrests were the result of a 10-month investigation informed by crucial on-the-ground intelligence about their activities in the Niassa National Reserve, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society, based in New York City.The Wildlife Conservation Society has been co-managing the Niassa National Reserve with the Mozambique government since 2012. During the early morning raid, 12 tusks and two rifles were confiscated. Two of the tusks, 23 kilograms (57 pounds) each, were from an elephant about 40 years old. The worth of the tusks was estimated at over US$150,000. The suspects have been charged with cooperating with poachers, illegal possession of firearms, participating in poaching, and organized crime. If convicted, all suspects face fines and jail time.Full story at http://ens-newswire.com/2014/09/09/six-elephant-poachers-caught-in-mozambique-reserve/

‪#‎Mozambique ‪#‎elephants ‪#‎ivory ‪#‎poaching

Image: Guns, ammunition and elephant tusks seized in raid in Mozambique’s Niassa National Reserve, September 7, 2014 (c) Wildlife Conservation Society