Rhino Poaching 2015

[Lisbeth]

Not if their presence is scaring a deadly wounded suffering animal.

Next show in Kruger: "Come and watch a dying rhino; tickets can be bought at any camp"

They are also out of the car in the middle of the bush and an easy meal, especially the children. There are bound to be hyenas not far away

[amyk9]

I fully agree with scipio, we need to ensure everyone possible is made aware of the results of poaching. Good for SANPARKS, again damned if they do, damned if they dont scenario, show us what is happening out there.

[Toko]

Here youtube video:

and reply from SP Anti-poaching

Thanks for the clip, yes we are aware, the Ranger in the picture is Richard Sowry, Section Ranger Kingfisherspruit. Our Vets, unfortunately, had to euthanize the animal due to mortal gun-shot wounds found. It was likely shot a few days before we found the animal.



Keep well.

[Richprins]

Thanks, Toks!

Agree that especially Chinese tourists be allowed to see first hand!

[Richprins]

Community members from the economically depressed settlements that surround the Kruger National Park region of Mpumalanga Province openly admit to being resentful because the Kruger makes money from ecotourism and the land they once inhabited while they see little employment, profit or opportunity coming to them from the national park. Villages that were indigenous to the Kruger National Park region were involuntarily resettled in the early 20th century when it became a protected area, leaving behind ancestors who are buried within the parks boundaries. To this day, these former villagers are at varying stages of negotiation with the government about livelihood restoration, and some have still not received adequate alternative shelter with public services. The majority remain very poor and rely on subsistence farming and piece jobs whenever possible while many breadwinners have migrated to larger economic hubs to sustain their family members back home. Most claim that high unemployment levels are the largest driver of poaching: “If we had jobs, we wouldn’t even think of poaching, because when you are working you get home tired, take a bath, eat and go to sleep. Come payday you are able to put food on the table,” says a 46-year-old unemployed male from the small community of Nyongane, located between Hazyview and the Kruger National Park, who did not want to be named for fear of being mistaken for a poacher for commenting on the matter.

To add to Nyongane’s already challenging living circumstances the community is often terrorised by escaped animals. When their crops are destroyed or their livestock eaten by escaped wildlife or infected with diseases from the park’s buffaloes, they receive little, if any, compensation. Killing the park’s animals – even in self defence – is a criminal offence. “Community members kill animals from the game reserve [for game meat like they did in the past]. When caught they’re beaten up. Sometimes their means of transport, like bicycles, are confiscated. Even the dogs they would have used to hunt are shot. But when an elephant devastates crop fields absolutely nothing is done,” says a male from the small community of Chibotane, near Massingir, which borders Parque Nacional do Limpopo in Mozambique. He would not give his name for fear of being linked to poaching or being harassed by poachers in his community.

In such communities, daily survival takes precedence over wildlife conservation. Community members do not see themselves as custodians of wild animals but merely see the animals as the parks’ property. Although some community members believe that poaching is morally wrong, they feel that the financial benefits outweigh the ethical issues, especially when poachers pay handsomely for information or assistance and create employment. Most community members do not report poachers to the police – despite a $15,000 reward for tip offs that lead to arrests and even more for toppling a rhino poaching syndicate. However, community members also face many threats from poachers and are often intimidated into silence or killed for being informants. Sometimes police officers do not allow them to remain anonymous or they are arrested by corrupt police officers who have been bribed by poachers. In fact, the fear is so ingrained that no one wants to be identified when talking to journalists about poaching and some only agree to talk off record. Poachers use traditional healers, known as sangomas, for protection before going on a hunt, and fear prevents community members from ousting them. “If you have a death wish you can [report poachers], but I won’t do that. I value my life,” says a 21-year-old unemployed male from Justica, a village not far from Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, which borders the Kruger National Park. He, too, asked not to be named.

Yet poachers are also at risk from the community. “When you see a poacher you kill them because they’ll tell their gang that you saw them and they’ll come after you,” says an unnamed 31-year-old unemployed male from Nyongane. Most poachers don’t reveal when they are ‘doing emasimini’ (‘going to the fields’ to poach) because they do not want to be targeted upon their return. Instead they lie about visiting bigger cities or family elsewhere. In some instances when people find out, the poachers are killed upon their return and the rhino horn is stolen before it reaches the kingpin or buyer.

Naturally, no one is willing to admit to being a tsotsi, sisluiti or oguluva, as poachers are called in South African vernacular, although some are willing to share insights into how they function. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park straddles the borders between South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Poachers move unimpeded between the countries through porous borders. There are around 15 poaching gangs of three to four people on any given day in the Kruger National Park. A poaching gang usually consists of a tracker, shooter, cutter and sometimes a fourth person to carry the gear. An average of three gangs enter and leave the park daily. “Some spend three to four days, others spend less. Depending on where the rhinos would be at that time, they spend more than that because they won’t leave without the horn and some don’t find them at all,” says an unnamed 32-year-old unemployed Justica male.

In the area around the Kruger Park, no one wants to come across as knowing too much about poaching lest it raises suspicions, but I am told that there are two ways to organise a poaching group. Several close-knit people rent guns – predominantly a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum, .458 Winchester Magnum and at times an AK-47 – and enter a national park. A local kingpin might also organise a group from nearby communities, give them guns, information from corrupt park rangers and offer them insurance. If anyone is captured, the kingpin ensures their release or pays the family in the event of death. Yet the financial rewards seem to far outweigh the risks in the minds of poachers. Per unit, rhino horn is more expensive than gold, diamonds and cocaine when sold in Asia. Poachers can earn around $17,140 per horn in South Africa or $10,840 in Mozambique. This is over twice what some may earn in an entire year and sometimes even more than that, meaning that their families will be well looked after even if they end up in prison or dead.

A Justica community leader, who like the others wanted to remain unnamed for fear of being prosecuted, admits to providing aid to poachers. “Because of the poverty, we see ‘gold’ in the horn. They told me to guard that ‘gold’ and I was given something for that. […] We receive these people with peace. Those thieves, whether they are from Natal or Mozambique, we accommodate them within the community to camp for a day or two. Why? It’s because they pay $860 to spend the night. Where will you get that kind of money? A year passes without you even having that kind of money. We accommodate them so they can go do their jobs and we get paid. For us it’s the same as getting paid for doing nothing,” he says.

Park rangers and private rhino owners lament that the practice of offering counter-incentives has been unsuccessful. Many community members consider poachers to be role models because they bring money and employment to poverty-stricken areas. “There is no reward from [the Kruger National Park for reporting a poacher], but the poacher will buy me drinks that weekend or will give me a piece job and money. The horn indirectly creates jobs. They bring their car to the carwash and tell you to keep the change,” said the Justica community leader.


http://venturesafrica.com/features/goin ... xtinction/

[Richprins]

Just heard 678, 421 for Kruger alone already...not even much past halfway through the year!

Don't bother asking how we finally got the numbers, but confirmed!

The point is this is catastrophe!

[Alf]

Any money for a unemployed person is plenty especially when they pay in dollars

Money talks and these poor people in these villages need jobs, so any income is welcome

They need to electrify the fences and even then they will still find a way in

[Richprins]

July 28, 2015

SKUKUZA – Two more rhino calves have been orphaned by poachers, but the future of at least one of them is looking bright, thanks to the goodwill of several humans and some loving care.

On Friday a visitor to the Kruger National Park (KNP) sounded the alarm that a rhino calf was wandering the S-3 road near the Phabeni Gate.

The little one was leaning against his vehicle and when it drove away, it actually uttered distressing calls and ran after the car. It was clear that it had either been abandoned by its mother or worse and more likely, orphaned by poaching.

The visitor alerted the KNP authorities and waited with the calf for help. It wasn’t long before the regional ranger of Marula South, Mr Don English, arrived with South African National Parks (SANParks) veterinarian surgeon, Dr Jenny Hewlett, section ranger of Pretoriuskop Mr Craig Williamson and field ranger Mr Jaco Moll.

According to English, it was clear that the mother must have died or was seriously injured. “Rhino mothers are very protective and would definitely storm anybody coming close to the little one. “After several hours of searching we found her carcass. She was indeed the victim of poachers,” he said.

English told Lowvelder that they had darted the baby for transportation to Care for Wild Africa wildlife rehabilitation centre.

During the flight the calf’s heart just stopped. The pilot had to make an emergency landing so that veterinary staff could resuscitate the little one. After about three minutes, everybody was amazed when it gasped for air and its heart started beating again. “I think we all had tears in our eyes,” English added.

They then proceeded to Care for Wild Africa where the calf is now in the capable hands of founder Ms Petronel Nieuwoudt.

Also read: Orphaned rhino taken to rehab centre

The team from SANParks was quite relieved when they could return to Skukuza.

Ms Marlene van der Merwe, spokesman for Care for Wild Africa, said the calf has been named Don and was doing well. The little bull is estimated to be about two months old. “It is being kept in the night den and is feeding well,” she said.

The general manager of communication and marketing in KNP, Mr William Mabasa said, “It is a wonderful story and Lowvelder is welcome to use it.

“In the light of World Ranger Day being celebrated on July 31, where will one get a better message to show the difference these dedicated people make in the war against rhino poaching, than saving the life of this little baby rhino?” Care for Wild received another rhino orphaned by poachers on Sunday.

Also read: Students get up close with wildlife

Estimated to be about six months old, this little bull from Lower Sabie in Kruger is not doing as well as Don.
“It is still in a crate and being given tranquillisers,” Van der Merwe said. “Although it had some milk yesterday and today (yesterday), it is reluctant to feed.” Fortunately, Nieuwoudt and her team are in high spirits and hopeful that this baby will soon come around.

“We are looking for a sponsor for this little one, which hasn’t been named yet. Those who are able to contribute towards its feeding and veterinary bills are welcome to contact us and we will decide on a name together,” Van der Merwe said.

Sponsors are also needed for the other orphaned rhinos at Care for Wild. Those interested in making a contribution can contact Van der Merwe on 082-822-1923.


http://lowvelder.co.za/283521/rhino-bab ... m-vehicle/

[Alf]

Poachers

Well done little rhino called Don

Make us proud

[Flutterby]

There are some pics of Donnie here.