Last week we treated 2 Rhino cows for bullet wounds... both Rhinos will be fine and were fortunate to survive the attack...
Unfortunately, it did not end there, and yesterday tourists found a carcass of another poached Rhino that had passed away on Moloto Drive. On investigation, the Rhino Protection Team found a second death. One was a cow and one a bull. It was also apparent that a calf had been killed as well.
A devastating loss and heartbreaking discovery.
There is nothing worse in conservation than what those who there to protect them have to go through at times like this. Each murder is a stab wound to your heart. A wound you never recover from. A memory that you relive day after day. What we once thought of as beautiful places to drive around, are now places of horror.
Steve and his RPU have to confront each and every incident. They have to process every little bit of information. They have to make sure that all evidence is correctly protected until forensics gets there.
Once forensics gets there they have to witness the dissecting of the poor Rhino. The team has to keep a cool head as they correctly collect and bag evidence.
If the perpetrator gets arrested, he is soon out on bail. Never to be seen again, except in another Rhino murder incident. Where once again bail is set, and the murderer is free. Often the cases are dismissed.
It is an endless battle for the team on the ground. The odds are stacked against them. The criminals have more rights that the people protecting the Rhinos.
In a country where crime and human murders are rife, it seems that wildlife crime does not hold the spotlight. Police in South Africa has so many human crimes to deal with that possibly a Rhino death pales in comparison.
Before you judge and point fingers, before you criticise, remember what we asked you, the public, to do.
Send your suggestions and or criticisms to the Park Manager or to me. Do not give away information regarding security here on social media.
For those that continue to support, thank you for your faith and trust. We are doing all we can with what we have.
We will not give up.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AfricaW ... p_activity
