Three suspects have been arrested for stripping bark from trees in Newlands Forest.

The South African National Parks (SANParks) along with Sea, Air Mountain (SEAM) rangers responded to a tip-off and proceeded to conduct a foot patrol through Newlands Forest via the Woodcutter’s Trail.

There, rangers detected strange activity including chanting and chopping sounds and proceeded to follow the noise. The team then discovered four individuals actively stripping bark. Two were seen chopping while the other two packed bark into backpacks.

Upon attempting to apprehend the suspects, they fled the scene, abandoning tools and evidence. One suspect was immediately arrested while two others were caught by rangers.

A search of the area uncovered a panga, an axe, and four backpacks containing stripped bark.

The suspects, along with the seized evidence, were taken to the Claremont police station where they were formally charged.