A dangerous new development with the potential to affect hunters all over Africa, and elsewhere, is the targeting of trophy shipments by smugglers. In a recent email bulletin distributed to Email Extra subscribers of
The Hunting Report, we reported that a shipment of trophies from Botswana was hijacked at gunpoint in South Africa while in transit to the Johannesburg airport. Not only are the perpetrators known to be involved in animal parts smuggling, but sources tell me that this kind of activity is on the rise in South Africa and, possibly, in other African countries.
This particular hijacking occurred November 4 around 8:30 am. Five gunmen stopped and commandeered a truck and trailer loaded with trophies. They also kidnapped the driver, holding him for several hours as they deliberated whether to murder him. Thanks to satellite tracking technology and the quick response of South African authorities, the shipment was recovered in its entirety the same day, and two of the hijackers were arrested. The others escaped. The driver is safe and in good condition, though quite shaken.....
