AW Ideas on Solving the Rhino Poaching Problem

[Richprins]

Something that has become increasingly obvious is that certain Ranger Sections in Kruger have very poor records regarding numbers of rhino poached, versus arrests made.

It is rather drastic to say it, but should those be "franchises" in a normal commercial company, the "managers" would have been fired long ago!

Some have been moved about etc., but not good enough, IMO!

And meticulous records are kept, I suspect, regarding Section performances.

So a "name and shame" approach? Desperate times call for desperate measures!

[RobertT]

Something that has become increasingly obvious is that certain Ranger Sections in Kruger have very poor records regarding numbers of rhino poached, versus arrests made.

It is rather drastic to say it, but should those be "franchises" in a normal commercial company, the "managers" would have been fired long ago!

Some have been moved about etc., but not good enough, IMO!

And meticulous records are kept, I suspect, regarding Section performances.

So a "name and shame" approach? Desperate times call for desperate measures!

In terms of the cell reception, I am sure a lot of Sanparks own communications are cell based, so it will mean no credit cards, no realtime booking, etc etc. Don't forget, this is a work environment for Sanparks and although us being on holiday can do without cell communication as we have left work behind. Would you be saying the same if it was your work/home environment and at best you would have dial up?

[Richprins]

The Park's outlying camps/stations work on old Microwave relay towers from landline sources, an expensive but clever system from the old days. That's why you can phone Phone, say, Bateleur Camp, for example!

Unless the system is in the process of changing?

Anyway, back to rhino.

Looking at stats, it would appear little poaching is being done in the South of the Park, that we know about.

N'wanetsi, Houtboschrandt, Olifants, Letaba seem to be in the crossfire at the moment mostly, along with areas adjacent to Mahlangene/Phalaborwa.

[Richprins]

In light of recent announcements regarding requirements for public transport vehicles like taxis entering the Park, and an incident last month where poachers allegedly pitched up at Malelane Gate and were arrested there, why not the following?:

Have "dummy" vehicles enter/leave every gate randomly every now and then, with some sort of false contraband or more importantly no official clearance, and perhaps offering a bribe?

This would not only apply to antipoaching, but also general media...a sort of "bust" as it were!

The best means of keeping gate security awake?

[Flutterby]

And if they get arrested? Would be a nightmare to convince people that it was a "dummy run"!