Three suspected poachers have been arrested by rangers of the Forestry Commission during a patrol at the Mole Game Reserve, Savannah Region.
The suspects, Yonjie Domuo, 55, and Dari Kwabena, 24, were apprehended on Sunday, January 26, 2025, while four others escaped.
Rangers confiscated four locally manufactured single-barrel guns and recovered smoked antelope carcasses tied in two sacks.
The suspects have been handed over to the Damongo District Police for further investigation.
Martin Abodiba Ndego, Assistant Law Enforcement Officer at Mole Park, expressed alarm over the rise in poaching incidents, noting that this marks the third arrest in January alone.
“These individuals go deep into the forest reserves to carry out these illegal activities. Our rangers operate under 24-hour surveillance and will ensure the law takes its course on them,” Ndego stated.
He stressed the importance of using advanced technology to monitor the vast park more effectively and emphasized ongoing community education as a key part of combating poaching.
“The park is extensive, and while our staff has intensified patrols, incidents of poaching persist. We need to use technology to complement the efforts of our rangers, ensuring every corner of the park is under constant surveillance. We have also engaged in community sensitization and will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any poacher found in the park,” Ndego told 3News.
As Mole Game Reserve continues to face threats from illegal activities, authorities are calling for stronger collaborations and technological investments to safeguard the park’s rich biodiversity and ensure its preservation for future generations.