Counter Poaching Efforts

[Toko]

Dogs used against rhino poaching

Dogs used against rhino poaching

October 23 2012 at 05:53pm
By SAPA

Tracking dogs were introduced into the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Tuesday to step up the fight against rhino poaching, KNP said.

“We are doing everything in our ability as (SA National Parks) SANParks to stop this pandemic that we are currently facing as a country,” spokesman William Mabasa said at a passing-out parade in Skukuza.

“The introduction of these dogs to our anti-rhino poaching unit is one of the efforts that we are putting in place. We hope that our rangers will put them to good use.”

The five dogs underwent an intensive 10-week training programme, where they were introduced to the bush, learned how to track human scent, to protect team members, sniff out rhino horn and detect ammunition.

The dogs would be placed under the guidance of field rangers, who had been trained as dog handlers.

They would be deployed at Malelane, Letaba, Houtboschrand, Mahlangeni and Woodlands. - Sapa

[Toko]

Reward of a R100 000 is offered by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

iSimangaliso’s 24-hour emergency – Reward of a R100 000 is offered by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
October 24, 2012 at 9:00 am (Ezemvelo KZNWildlife, NGOs and Conservation Bodies)
iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority Press Release 2012-10-22

Rhino Murder and “Operation Hammer”

An Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife iSimangaliso patrol while following fresh human tracks early Sunday evening detected an adult white rhino carcass. Both horns were very crudely removed. The carcass was found in the Ozabeni section of iSimangaliso and was still fresh. A specialist team was rapidly deployed to the area and the sweep continued into the early hours of this morning. The scene was also secured so that a thorough search for possible evidence can be conducted by staff with Organised Crime today. A post mortem is currently in process by the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Vet.

This is the sixth rhino poached in iSimangaliso in the last 24 months. The last rhino was poached in the WesternShores section of Park approximately 7 days ago. This brings the KZN and RSA totals of rhino’s poached so far this year to 57 and 456 respectively.

“We are incensed by the senseless killing of this rhino” says Andrew Zaloumis the iSimangaliso CEO “it strengthens the resolve of staff to find the perpetrators of the shameful murder of this innocent and defenceless animal and to further strengthen and improve on anti-poaching measures in the Park. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife rangers are on the front line of combating poaching in iSimangaliso. Information can make the difference to them in foiling a rhino poaching or catching the criminals. Any information, or suspicious sightings can be reported anomalously to iSimangaliso’s 24hour emergency no. 0827977944″.

“A reward of a R100 000 is offered by Ezemvelo to any person who provides information that results in the arrest and successful conviction of the culprits” says Tony Conway the Ezemvelo Conservation Coordinator for iSimangaliso, who further added that “new and innovative strategies had been implemented in the Park to combat this rhino onslaught and warned rhino poachers that absolute zero tolerance has been reinforced and anybody entering the Park illegally and armed, do so at their own risk!”

“Destroying endangered species is an ecological and economic crime. Not only are rhino part of our collective national heritage, but the presence of wildlife is a vital resource for the country and region. In a region marked by poverty, tourism and conservation are the biggest employers on which families’ survival and paying school fees depend” said Zaloumis.

This shocking blow follows on the heels of the recent “Operation Hammer” victory against illegal poaching activities in iSimangaliso. ”Within 20 minutes of the start of “Operation Hammer”, twelve illegal boats, a hippo snare and two gill nets in the Dukuduku section of the Park were found in a known place where poachers hide their boats in dense vegetation and reed beds. Confiscated items were booked in at Mtubatuba Police Station for destruction by SAPS” says Johan Gerber who head up iSimangaliso’s Ezemvelo specialist Anti-Poaching Unit (APU).

The operation was undertaken on the uMfoloziRiver flood plain to search for poachers and evidence of other crime. Aerial coverage of the remoter sections of the 230 000ha iSimangaliso including Ozabeni and relating to rhino and marine poaching were included. This is the second recent combined operation by staff from Ezemvelo, SAPS ORS Border Policing: RichardsBay and SAPS KZN Airwing. The first led to the confiscation of 28 unauthorised boats and poaching equipment .

“Good law enforcement and education are of paramount importance in conserving our national treasure and we will continue combating illegal activities at every turn,” said iSimangaliso CEO Andrew Zaloumis, thanking the sterling efforts of SAPS ORS Border Policing: RichardsBay, SAPS KZN Airwing, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff at St Lucia Marine, Mfabeni, Cape Vidal, Ozabeni and the Anti-Poaching Unit.

If members of the public have any information, or see anything suspicious please report these to Siboniso Duma (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Conservation Manager St Lucia Marine) on 0825592871 or iSimangaliso’s 24-hour emergency no. 0827977944.

For further information contact Siyabonga Mhlongo Media Officer on 0843820884; email siyabonga@iSimangaliso.com

[Richprins]

SA man posts toenails to Chinese embassy
2012-10-24 09:15
A Grahamstown man has posted his toenails to the Chinese embassy in Pretoria because he is upset with the escalating number of rhino killed by poachers. (AP)

A Grahamstown man has posted his toenails to the Chinese embassy in Pretoria because he is upset with the escalating number of rhino killed by poachers. (AP)

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East London - A Grahamstown man has posted his toenails to the Chinese embassy in Pretoria because he is upset with the escalating number of rhino killed by poachers, according to a report on Wednesday.

The Star newspaper reported that Mark Wilby clipped off his toenails, put it in an envelope and posted it.

In a YouTube video, he called on other South Africans to do the same.

Rhino horn is made of keratin, the same protein in hair, fingernails and toenails, but some Asian countries believe it has medicinal qualities.

"It's not enough to say rhino horn is useless," Wilby told the publication.

"We need to find out more about the market, to understand this thing so we can address the demand."

The embassy told the newspaper it had not yet received the mail by Tuesday afternoon.
- SAPA

[Richprins]

Good news!

Hope Ezimvelo have the money!

[Flutterby]

Just read this on OSCAP's FB page:

Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, has just announced in parliament, during the medium-term finance budget, that government has spent/budgeted an ADDITIONAL R81,0m (US$ 9,5m) to fighting rhino poaching in the Kruger Park in the 2012/13 financial year.

[Lisbeth]

High time!!! Hopefully they know how to spend them!!

[Richprins]

Interesting that government apparently won't give R40 mil to cover Sanparks' much publicised shortfall regarding operating costs...

[H. erectus]

Have not read the report but heck thats a large amount of
money suddenly going to poaching alone I take!! They no
longer need to depend on HR's and Civil society for donations.

That is a bold gesture from .Gov!!! I take they also mentioned
the governing bodies/institutions that would channel these
funds in the right direction!!!???

[BunnyHugger]

Interesting that government apparently won't give R40 mil to cover Sanparks' much publicised shortfall regarding operating costs...

Very interesting and very sad especially seeing as though the renovations to the plebidents home will cost the tax payers 210 million.

[BunnyHugger]

If only it was that simple.

I recon we should go around to all the local hair dressers and barber shops, collect the hair and compress it and then sell it to the far east.