The five sable antelopes died due to stress after being subjected to harsh conditions by the smugglers.
The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) recently seized a light aircraft and arrested six South Africans and one Zimbabwean who were attempting to smuggle the 12 sable antelopes out of Zambia.
The animals were delivered and released into a wildlife sanctuary, Munda Wanga Sanctuary, for observation and rehabilitation after being rescued by a combined team of soldiers and officers from the wildlife agency at an airstrip in the southern Gwembe region.
According to the statement, the smugglers claimed they were moving the animals from the capital Lusaka to the southern city of Livingstone.
Despite having a movement permit for the animals, the wildlife agency said the permit had some anomalies which forced authorities to detain the smugglers.
The authorities have since detained the seven foreigners and confiscated the South African-registered private aircraft, two motor vehicles and 56 rounds of ammunition allegedly used in the smuggling of animals. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
