A man from Botswana has been arrested after the Hawks caught him trying to sell a live cheetah and lion bones in South Africa. Cheetah are a protected species under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.
The 42-year-old man was apprehended by Hawks on Friday 6 December.
In a statement, Hawks spokesperson Nomthandazo Mnisi said: ‘Following a disruptive operation after information surfaced that the suspect intends to sell a live cheetah and lion bones to a potential buyer in South Africa, [a] transaction was arranged with the suspect and he was found in possession of [a] live cheetah and lion bones when confronted by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime [unit], Kuruman Stock Theft, and Kuruman Highway Patrol.’
She continued, stating that the cheetah and lion bones have an estimated value of R400,000. It has since been confirmed that the animal has been taken to a sanctuary for rehabilitation.
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