Smugglers Turn To Hijacking African Hunting Trophy Shipments

The targeting of African trophy shipments by smugglers is a dangerous new development with the potential to affect hunters all over Africa, and elsewhere. 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. I learned of the hijacking from Debbie Peake of Mochaba Developments (debbie@mochaba.net), whose clients' trophies were part of the shipment. She contacted me and her clients just after police had recovered the truck, trailer and all of its contents. At the time, she said the police were not sure where the security breach occurred but that South African Nature Conservation authorities, the police and internal security agencies were investigating. When I checked back at press time, she said the investigation was still ongoing and was "running deep." "The good news is that the affected shipments are on their way to the US," she said at press time. She went on to assure me that Mochaba Developments was increasing security measures to protect trophy shipments while in transit from Botswana. "All future shipments will be accompanied by armed escort in Johannesburg," she said. What is most disturbing is that more than one source I spoke with said that theft and armed hijacking of trophy cargo is on the increase in Johannesburg and that "inside" leaks of information are part........(continued)