Rhino Poaching 2013

[Penga Ndlovu]

Thanks BJ.

Could have been about the same thing as it is in the right area, but then we would be speculating and we would not want that do we.

[Bushveld Jock]

Hi PN

A few minutes later we saw two guys walking in the road at the turnoff to Bobbejaankrans view site. One was walking into the bush looking for something and the other one taking photos. Maybe innocent tourist transgressing park rules, but if I knew about the rhinos that were poached I would have got a pic of the number plate. Or it could be guys helping the anti-poaching unit to see if something was not hidden nearby.

Only later the behaviour of the two puzzled me when looking at the pics.

[Penga Ndlovu]

Hmmmm.

Strange behavior.

If it were investigators from outside Sanparks or law enforcement they would have been accompanied by a ranger.

[Penga Ndlovu]

I have been hearing rumours about 9 rhinos been downed in Kruger this year already and Sanparks are keeping it quite.

If there is someone with any knowledge about this please contact me.

[Richprins]

As I understand it DEA gives monthly statements...not SanParks?

[Flutterby]

Already nine rhinos killed in Kruger

The New Age Online
Irvine Makuyana
Jan 15, 2013

It's still early days in 2013 and already nine rhinos have been killed for their horns in two weeks at the Kruger National Park.

SA National Parks (Sanparks) spokesperson Wanda Mkutshulwa said no arrests had been made although investigations were continuing.

"Our team of investigators are chasing (potential) leads," said Mkutshulwa.

Despite the high number of rhinos poached in two weeks, Mkutshulwa said the Kruger National Park was set to benefit from experienced human resources and technology that would improve the monitoring of rhino poachers at night.

"We have managed to bring in retired major general Johan Jooste, 60, to assist with the fight against poaching. he will the chief commanding office at Kruger National Park. We received a donation of surveillance aircraft and an unmanned aerial vehicle. This technology will give us an edge with regards to night patrols."

In his political report at the ANC's Mangaung elective conference last month President Jacob Zuma said he wanted to the SA National Defence Forces (SANDF) redeployed to South Africa's border with Botswana in the NOrth West and the border shared with Mozambique and Zimbabwe at the Kruger National Park.

SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said yesterday that the core objective of the defence forces was "to secure the borders", but that their presence also had the effect of reducing the loss of rhinos to poachers.

"The SANDF's main role is border security, but we are supporting the SA Police Service at Kruger National Park. Our work around the area has a positive impact which has the effect of countering rhino poaching," Dlamini said.

Last year 688 rhinos were killed for their horns by poachers in the country's national parks.

[Penga Ndlovu]

As I understand it DEA gives monthly statements...not SanParks?

I am not talking about statements.

I am talking about actual facts that can corroborate those statements before they get out.

[Penga Ndlovu]

Thanks Fluts.

Found that one too.

[Penga Ndlovu]

14+ Rhinos 14+ rhinos murderd in 16 days

[Toko]

Some more info here: Nine rhino carcasses found in Kruger National Park

Nine rhino carcasses found in Kruger National Park
Sapa | 16 Januar, 2013 11:08

The carcasses of nine rhino have been found in the Kruger National Park since the start of 2013, spokesman Ike Phaahla said on Wednesday.

"The horns of all nine carcasses were removed and that is a clear indication that they were poached," said Phaahla.

"No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing. I cannot provide further details as the conservation crime unit follow certain procedures and once investigations are complete they will compile a report."

He said the carcasses were found in a period of two weeks.

On January 8 two white rhino were shot and killed on the Houtboschrand section of the park.

Managing executive at the park Abe Sibiya said indications were that the animals were poached by a group from Mozambique.

The carcass of a white rhino was found after rangers in the Lower Sabie saw three suspected poachers and a shoot-out ensued. The three suspected poachers escaped but left behind a bag containing a set of rhino horns and a high-calibre hunting rifle.

Phaahla could not provide more details of the other six carcasses until the investigations are concluded.

On January 10, the national environmental affairs department said five rhino had been killed in the country since the beginning of the year.

Three of those were in the KNP, one in the North West and another in Mpumalanga.

The department said on Wednesday that the figure had not been updated.

In 2012, 668 rhino were poached and 267 arrests were made.

Phaahla said one of the methods to fight poaching was to appoint retired major general Johan Jooste to command the conservation unit. He started on January 7.

"We have given him space and want him to concentrate on his main task so that we can have an impact on the number of animals poached," Phaahla said.

He said the park had offered a R1 million reward for any tips leading to the successful prosecution of a rhino syndicate or its mastermind.