Mozambican police arrested this week three individuals in Maputo province while they were attempting to sell ivory tips, according to an official statement. Poaching remains a serious threat to wildlife in Mozambique, a country grappling with significant conservation challenges.
The suspects, aged 29 to 51, were apprehended in Marracuene district. Samussone Mahumane, spokesman for the National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) in Maputo province, reported the arrests.
Despite ongoing poaching issues, authorities believe that elephant killings have decreased in recent years due to improved enforcement and conservation measures. Mahumane noted that while they initially received information about men selling rhino horns, they discovered the suspects were actually selling ivory tips. The source of the ivory is still under investigation.
According to the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), Mozambique is home to approximately 10,000 elephants.