The Wildlife protection unit in Renk County, Upper Nile State, said that they thwarted an attempt to smuggle a huge consignment of dried animal skins into neighbouring Sudan through the river port of Al-Geiger last weekend.

The director of wildlife in Renk County, Brigadier General Mayul Deng, told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that the busted smuggling operation was the largest so far because it had many dried skins of reptiles and even hippopotamuses.

“This skin smuggling operation was the largest due to the large quantities. The skins of crocodiles, giant snakes, and hippopotamuses were in the consignment,” Gen. Deng said. “They came from the Fangak area of Jonglei State.”

The wildlife officer said one suspect had been apprehended and will be arraigned in court. He stressed the importance of cooperation of all sectors to protect and preserve wildlife as national wealth.

For his part, Duk Gut Ngor, the Renk County Commissioner, thanked the security forces for being vigilant and called for the enactment of laws that will limit the poaching and smuggling of wildlife.

Source: Radio Tamazuj