Rhino Poaching 2016

[Alf]

Very sad news. Wonder if it's an inside job

[Flutterby]

Very frustrating and sad!

[Lisbeth]

[Richprins]

Looks better for private farms...but they may be giving up replacing stock, or just not reporting losses to keep officials away, as happened in other parts of the country. I'm not sure about this theory that Kruger poachers are becoming frustrated and moving to KZN....

It is just following the same trend down there as it did here, and a lot would suggest inside jobs, as it does here!

[Lisbeth]

And the year is not even finished yet

[Mel]

More people arrested, more firearms seized and so on, but still more rhinos lost... tells its own story

[Richprins]

The South African National Parks (SANParks) today, 11 November 2016 announced another fruitful week wherein 18 suspected rhino poachers were arrested and 10 firearms recovered in the past seven days during counter poaching operations inside the Kruger National Park (KNP). A further seven suspected rhino poachers were arrested along with the recovery of a further two firearms just outside the KNP in joint SANParks ECI and SAPS operations. The rhino poaching related arrests took place in different sections of the KNP as well as areas just outside the boundary of the park and were a joint effort by the SANParks Rangers and K9 Units including cooperation by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Services (SAPS).

“We are already in the full moon period, with huge numbers of incursions, spoor and many other poaching related activities keeping our anti-poaching teams extremely busy. Poachers beware!!! And we call upon you to weigh the risks of getting caught because you cannot get away with wildlife crime forever; the gap is gradually closing in on you”, warned the Managing Executive of KNP, Glenn Phillips.
Phillips congratulated his members including the SANParks Special Ranger Airborne Response and K9 units who are making a huge difference in their support for the Rangers and all other anti-poaching teams on the ground; bearing the much needed results.
“SANParks remains committed to doing everything in its power to fight the scourge of poaching. We also take this opportunity to encourage members of the public to report wildlife criminal activities on 013 735 0197 or 076 801 9679; ensuring that those who commit these deeds pay for their sins”, concluded Phillips.

This latest success follows closely on the heels of the October month-end poaching successes wherein 14 suspected poachers were arrested during counter poaching operations in the KNP.

Ends

Issued by
South African National Parks: Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park.
Media enquiries either:
William Mabasa, Acting Head of Communications - SANParks. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4363/012 426 5170, cell: 082 807 3919 or email: william.mabasa@sanparks.org or

Reynold Thakhuli, GM: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations - SANParks. Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999; Email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

[Flutterby]

Good news. Just wonder how many of the 18 will actually end up behind bars!

[Mel]

Justified thought, Flutts...

[Lisbeth]

The plight of SA's rhinos: Icon of hope dies!
Selene Brophy

Few things hit you in the gut quite like the recent headlines of the possible effects of the Trump presidency, the news that our very own State Security minister has allegedly been in cahoots with rhino horn smuggles - and now this.

Sadly, the rhino named ‘Hope’ – which made headlines around the world after surviving a brutal poaching attack in April 2015 has passed away.

According to wildlife filmmaker Adrian Steirn, Hope had to endured so many operations and he posted an update saying, “She had to endure so much pain that part of me is relieved that her pain is finally over.

“She was found dead in the boma Sunday with a bacterial infection in her small intestine.

“For me her passing is just another reminder that if we don’t address what we are doing to these creatures then we will ultimately destroy a planet that was doing just fine without humans for 4.5 billion years."

Saving the Survivors (STS), who assists with the care of rhino who manage to survive brutal poaching attacks also posted to Facebook saying, “Passing of an Icon… with heavy hearts and great sadness.”

“She was found yesterday late afternoon without life in her boma where she has been cared for since March this year. We don’t know yet what dimmed Hope’s light and we are left with a huge ‘WHY?’ today.

“The cause of death looks to be a bacterial infection of her small intestine, and we have requested further tests to shed light on this immense tragedy.

“Wandering alone in the bush for days, deeply hurt and with half her face hacked off, she survived against all odds.

“It was no wonder then, that she was christened Hope and became a worldwide ambassador for her species.

There has been an outpouring of grief following the news of Hope’s death. STS says it is awaiting results from Hope’s post mortem as the rhino showed no signs of discomfort on Sunday morning when she was checked and fed; but was then found lifeless at her afternoon check.

This video of Hope's initial rescue illustrates the STS mission of "creating hope from hurt".

"There will always be Hope, for this iconic rhino will live on in everyone’s hearts."

https://youtu.be/RpuHXqb8gb4