MAPUTO, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican authorities for protecting natural resources has announced the seizure of more than 150 firearms of various types used in poaching activities in the country's conservation areas this year, the state-run Radio Mozambique (RM) reported on Friday.
The data were revealed by Celmira da Silva, director general of the National Administration of Conservation Areas, who was addressing the closing ceremony of a recent training course for inspection agents of natural resources in the southern province of Inhambane.
"This year, 365 cases of poaching were registered, which resulted in the arrest of 839 people. For crimes related to wildlife, 41 citizens were brought to trial, and 13 were sentenced to years ranging from 4 to 30 years in prison," Silva was quoted as saying by the RM.
Silva said the authorities are not going to let up the fight against poaching and illegal trafficking of wildlife products, and more agents for the protection and inspection of natural resources are expected to be trained.
