Counter Poaching Efforts

[Lisbeth]

Interesting read, Toko

[Richprins]

Thanks, Toko!

This time I think they have given some false information to the journalist regarding certain matters, which is much better!

So suck on that, potential poachers!

[Flutterby]

Submitted by Africam on Tue, 14/08/2012 - 1:54am.

Ex Proteas Cricketer Mark Boucher and SAB To Help Save SA's Rhino

Mark Boucher may have retired from international cricket but this is not the last the world will see of the record breaking wicket keeper. He has a new personal project that will keep him visible on the international stage - helping to save South Africa's Rhino population from extinction.

If his fighting spirit and determination on the cricket field is anything to go by then the fight against Rhino poaching has just acquired a “never say die” warrior who sees this project as a personal crusade.

Appointed by The South African Breweries (SAB) as its Castle Lager Rhino Ambassador, Boucher hopes to raise funds both locally and abroad through the 'Our Rhinos in Safe Hands' campaign, which will be launched in the next few weeks.

"Wildlife has always been a passion of mine and for a long time I have been working on the idea of dedicating my retirement to making a difference in this regard. I now have the opportunity to contribute something meaningful towards a cause that is close to the hearts of my fellow South Africans."

Speaking at his first public appearance after announcing his retirement, Boucher, together with The South African Breweries (SAB), have launched the SAB-Boucher Non-Profit Company. The NPC aims to raise enough money to register South Africa's 18 000 rhinos on the DNA database established and run by the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria at Onderstepoort. The initial target is to raise R1-million.

"We are fast approaching the tipping point where the number of rhinos poached exceeds the number of new births. At that point the extinction of our rhinos will be a very real threat. There are many options on the table on how to address the issue but the one that underlies all scenarios is the need for a robust DNA database. Such a system will not only manage the population that we have but will also assist in the prosecution of offenders by linking the crime scene to the recovered horn," said Boucher.

The establishment of the DNA database is a step in the right direction in the war against poaching and through the 'Our Rhinos in Safe Hands' we can hopefully turn the tables and avoid the tipping point.

With Boucher's passion for South African wildlife and high profile status we hope that this initiative and others can get the large local and international support it needs and desreves. I think his closing statement sums up his passion and dedication to the project.

"It's a great privilege for South Africa to be home to some of the world's most remarkable wildlife species and we all need to take our responsibility as their custodians very seriously and contribute our voices and our muscle towards protecting them,"

It would take a very shrewd bookie to bet against Boucher's new career.

[iNdlovu]

Where can I find his email address?

[Richprins]

Excellent, Mark!

"We are fast approaching the tipping point where the number of rhinos poached exceeds the number of new births. At that point the extinction of our rhinos will be a very real threat. There are many options on the table on how to address the issue but the one that underlies all scenarios is the need for a robust DNA database. Such a system will not only manage the population that we have but will also assist in the prosecution of offenders by linking the crime scene to the recovered horn," said Boucher.

That point has been reached, I think, as the populations lose cows and territorial bulls, which postpones normal breeding in some areas...

[H. erectus]

With all due respect to those donating!!! and I stress
"thank you" out loud!!! Though something burns my
behind here!!!!

Why should it be my problem to go out there and educate
the entire Chinese population about bad habits!!!????
Do they likewise come here to educate us when smuggling
drugs and what have you???!!! No, no, no we just get canned
in the space of weeks, in some hell hole!!!

I'm afraid this whole predicament is beginning to stink!!!!

To begin with, just the arrogance surrounding this hell of
rhino extermination, irks me!!!
I mentioned before and will itterate!!!,.......................

The remainder of rhino will only be safe, once money get's
placed on a culprits head!!!!

C'mon Sanparks, you've now had it all!!! Let's see the figures
in red turn green!!!

[Penga Ndlovu]

Where can I find his email address?

Google??

[Flutterby]

SA, Vietnam to discuss illegal rhino horn trade

BY NICK HEDLEY, 16 AUGUST 2012, 17:25
bdlive.co.za


CONSERVATION groups hope that a meeting tomorrow between the Department of International Relations and Co-operation and a delegation from Vietnam will yield a firm commitment between the countries to take the illegal trade in rhino horns and the conservation of the endangered animal seriously.

In the first half of this year, 262 rhinos were killed in South Africa.

The World Wide Fund for Nature said in its 2012 Wildlife Crime Scorecard report that Vietnam was the country with the highest wildlife crime score, and was ranked as the top destination country for rhino horn.

According to the department, discussions will focus on political and security matters of mutual interest, as well as issues related to "biodiversity protection and promotion".

The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, which has already singled out Vietnam as a threat to South Africa’s rhino population, will also be present at the meeting.

Earlier this year, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said her department had asked the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct inspections to verify that white rhinos exported to Vietnam were still in the possession of hunters.

When Vietnamese authorities failed to confirm this in writing, the department recommended to all conservation authorities that hunting permits for white rhinos be refused to all Vietnamese citizens.

Jo Shaw, East and Southern Africa programme officer of large mammal trade at Traffic, which is a trade monitoring network, said it was hoped that tomorrow’s meeting would result in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between South Africa and Vietnam on action to be taken to curb rhino poaching and horn trading.

Ms Shaw said the meeting needed to show a "clear indication" that the matter was being taken seriously.

The second meeting of the South Africa-Vietnam Partnership Forum will be co-chaired by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Ebrahim Ebrahim, and his Vietnamese counterpart, Le Luong Minh, in Pretoria.

[Sprocky]

2012-08-17 14:50

Pretoria - Poaching was among the topics dominating discussions at the second meeting of the Vietnam-South Africa Partnership Forum held in Pretoria, an official said on Friday.

Deputy International Relations Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim said both countries had expressed deep concern over the ongoing illegal hunting and trafficking of wildlife products, particularly rhino horn.

"The two sides agreed to work closely together, through bilateral and multi-lateral mechanisms, to address concerns in this area to protect these endangered species," he told reporters in Pretoria.

A memorandum of understanding in the fields of bio-diversity management and law enforcement had been agreed upon, said Ebrahim.

The agreement sought compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) and other legislation.

The pact would now be tested in the legal processes of both countries before being signed.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Le Luong Minh said his country was intensely concerned about the widespread poaching problem.

"We discussed and shared the concerns over the illegal hunting, trade, and trafficking of wildlife," said Minh.

Media reports cited the "obsession" with rhino horn products in Vietnam as a serious threat to the world’s rhino population.

Rhino horn products are perceived to have curative powers for an assortment of ailments, from headaches to cancer.

- SAPA

[Sprocky]

2012-08-18 20:55

Johannesburg - Bogus non-governmental organisations (NGO's) claiming to raise funds for anti-rhino poaching initiatives are on the rise, the Saturday Star reported.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) told the newspaper they counted 260 new NGO's who were supposedly working towards the cause.

EWT manager Kirsty Brebner said the trust were worried that many fake organisations could have a negative impact on their authentic projects.

"This is of great concern as it contributes to donor fatigue," said Brebner.

NGO's usually get funds by selling keyrings, t-shirts, hand chains, CD's and plush toys to supporters.

Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal co-ordinator Jabulani Ngubane said people could become confused about which organisation to follow.

"Having so many projects can be confusing to the average citizen. And with increasingly simpler ways to make a contribution and bombarding of the 'save the rhino' message, the public are at risk of being rhino-ed out," he told the newspaper.

Environmentalists and government have increased efforts to curb poaching by increasing border control measures and deploying sniffer dogs at airports and game reserves, among other initiatives.


- SAPA