Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

[Sprocky]

If at all possible, can the rangers pose for a pic with the trophy???

And then dehorn it and publish said pic on the front page of every leading newspaper world wide!!!

[H. erectus]

Yah, not a bad idea.

[H. erectus]

Yah, even better, catch them alive, de-horn then send 'em for a stripper show!!!

[Toko]

One less, but SA won't run out of poachers (but will run out of rhinos )

[Flutterby]

Rhino penalties grow horns

SCHALK MOUTON | 30 January, 2013 00:00
timeslive.co.za

The Department of Environmental Affairs has increased the maximum fine for rhino-related crimes to R10-million and prison sentences to a maximum of 10 years.

The new penalties were published in the Government Gazette yesterday.

Previously, the penalties were limited to fines not exceeding three times the commercial value of the animal killed, or prison sentences not exceeding five years, or a combination of the two.

At present, the auction value of a live black rhino is roughly R500000 - but its horn sells for about R5.4-million/kg.

"The price of rhino horn is increasing exponentially but the penalty is not," said Mike Knight, chairman of the Southern African Development Community Rhino Management Group.

"It is a dynamic process and things are going to have to change."

With a population of 4880 in Africa, of which 2000 are in South Africa, the black rhino is listed as critically endangered.

Knight has helped to draft a rhino conservation plan that, though national in scope, deals with the protection of the species throughout Africa.

Its short-term goal is to increase the black rhino population by 5% a year over the next 10 years.

The long-term vision is to "contribute to the recovery and long-term persistence of the global black rhino population by having viable populations of the indigenous subspecies in their natural habitat throughout their former range within South Africa".

[Sprocky]

Published: 2013/02/07 01:33:11 PM
Source: SAPA

Johannesburg - Three Chinese nationals have been arrested for alleged possession of a rhino horn and tik in Johannesburg, the Hawks said on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, they arrested two Chinese men, aged 30 and 39, and a 28-year-old woman in a hotel room, spokesperson Paul Ramaloko said.

The horn was valued at R120 000 and the confiscated tik had an estimated street value of R1 500.

The three were visitors to the country. It had not yet been established if they were linked to any rhino horn smuggling syndicate.

They would appear in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Friday on charges of possession of a rhino horn and drugs.

[Richprins]

[Toko]

SANPArks Media Release: SANParks rangers come up tops in fire battle in KNP

Four poachers arrested in Kruger

[Penga Ndlovu]

And a few killed.

Even much better.

[Richprins]

Unusual for a media release on a Sunday?

Maybe the pressure is mounting on the Minister and the Doctor?

Zimbabwe now a co-accused with Moz!