The Fight Against Rhino Poaching in South Africa

June 22, 2011 - PRLog -- For a long time now I have been following the latest bulletins on how many rhino have died for their horn (in terror and agony), young calves orphaned and killed and the horror stories continue. However these days I am relieved to see more success stories filtering through, of poachers caught, poaching attempts thwarted and businesses and communities getting involved to literally 'stop the slaughter'.

My family and my business are based in Durban KwaZulu-Natal. We are literally a 3 hour drive from the game reserves of northern KwaZulu-Natal, an exquisite, rural and wild place in Africa. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve – KwaZulu-Natal's premier Big Five safari destination – is one of my most favourite places to 'be' with my family, as is the iSimangaliso Wetland Park which runs adjacent to the Hluhluwe Reserve on the coast. Northern KwaZulu-Natal is literally a tapestry of wild places – private reserves and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Parks that cover a vast area and a variety of eco-systems – the typical acacia bush and savannah, wetlands systems as well as a coastline and marine wildlife park. Altogether an incredible safari destination, and if you are looking for a more cost effective safari option the northern KZN game reserves are 'easier' on the pocket.

http://www.africaholidaysandsafaris.com/countries/provinc...

For so many years, each time I have written about the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and her 'sister' reserve' Mkuze, I have always written about their outstanding efforts during the 1980's that literally brought the white rhino populations back from the brink of extinction. South Africa and particularly the efforts of KZN Wildlife (now known as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) and a number of dedicated individuals, with the involvement of local communities living on the reserve borders, saved the rhino. Their survival is tenuous at best and they are now facing an invigorated poaching onslaught. So I thought I'd do my share to do just that 'share' the awful facts and the stats, and also share some of the success stories thus far because there are many people fighting for the survival of the rhino for the good of the world.

At the bottom of this article is a link to donate funds or equipment, or to 'sign up' to have your say, and there is also a hotline for reporting any suspicious behaviour. When you do visit this site, be prepared for some shocking imagery.

THE FACTS & STATS

South Africa – white rhino populations 2009: 19409 white rhino / 1678 black rhino (23% are privately owned). South Africa is home to about 80% of the world's rhino population
 
2010 – 333 rhino poached (323 white rhino / 10 black rhino)
2010 – 162 total arrests made
2011 – 173 rhino poached (stats released by SANParks as at 06 June 2011, of which 120 were poached in the Kruger National Park!)
2011 – 122 total arrests made (of which 60 were arrested in the Kruger National Park)
20 Suspected poachers have died in shootouts with anti-poaching units this year and 11 have been injured in clashes with authorities. Of this figure, 15 suspected poachers have died and 9 wounded during contacts with rangers and soldiers in the Kruger National Park alone.
 
WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN HAS RHINO POACHING ESCALATED?

The escalation in poaching is as a direct result of two, although well-meaning control actions that were put into effect by the Department of Environment and Tourism.

At the beginning of 2008 a bill was passed which closed off the permitted route of hunting as a tool to obtain rhino horn (which was a widely abused system).
In Feb 2009 a national moratorium placed an indefinite ban on the trade of rhino horns or any derivatives or products of the horns within South Africa.
These measures were put in place after the CITES ban on international rhino horn trade was not successful in stopping the rhino slaughter.
These actions pushed the cost of rhino horn sky-high, in effect exacerbating the problem for ruthless individuals and criminal syndicates to feed the black-market demand.
Another factor to consider is that Asia is currently experiencing a prosperity boom – more disposable cash expenditure for 'luxury' items.
 
WHY BANNING RHINO HORN IS NOT THE SOLUTION

The task of changing the mind-set of cultural and traditional South East Asians (entrenched since 'Before Christ') is practically an impossibility. The rhino don't have enough years left to try this route. Suggestions to bring down the price of black-market rhino horn, is to hold an annual sale of stockpiled horns which South Africa has stored in its coffers. Controlled trade of rhino horns harvested via natural mortalities and from the live animal itself (rhinos can be successfully de-horned every 3 years, with the horn growing at a rate of about 30mm per year) will create millions of Rands that can be ploughed back into rhino conservation initiatives and community development, as having the local communities on board is tantamount to any reserves successful efforts in conservation.

On the contrary, those against the un-banning of the sale of rhino horn believe that it will be a 'free-for-all' and open the species up to more abuse (think canned-lion hunting and the spine chills). Also the impact on the species itself when de-horned regarding dominance, hierarchy and defence will also be affected.

Certainly a radical approach is needed to stem the devastation, and unbanning seems to be the most logical route. An association of hunters, conservationists and wildlife experts are currently investigating and researching a project in relation to horn farming as a possible solution. Why radical? Research indicates that criminal syndicates (of which vets as well as conservation and government officials are a part of) are stockpiling horn themselves in anticipation of rhinos becoming extinct, because then their commodity will be all the more lucrative.

WHAT ARE THE MYSTERIOUS BENEFITS OF RHINO HORN?

Rhino horn is purported to be an aphrodisiac, and in the western world we have been led to believe that this was the strongest motivating factor for the purchase of rhino horn. However rhino horn apparently has many curative 'powers' that treat a number of ailments from inflammation and fevers to anaemia and cancer. Science has for many decades held steadfast that consuming rhino horn would be identical to consuming one's own finger nails – it is the same substance.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP SAVE THE RHINO?

Spread the word, donate, report suspicious behaviour, and keep the pressure building on the South African government to approach the topic on a diplomatic level with specific Asian governments…. and never ever purchase or sell any item (rhino dagger, powdered rhino horn) that originated from a rhino.

SUCCESS
It is important to know that although there is much corruption at all levels (conservation, government and private enterprise), there are also many people of integrity who are trying their utmost to protect the rhino. If we do not tell of their successes they themselves will lose heart. As KwaZulu-Natal is close my heart, I have listed a few success stories of the efforts of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Please link thruogh to the full article on our travel blog to read of their corageous efforts.
http://www.africaholidaysandsafaris.com/articles/616

I will be on holiday at Cape Vidal (within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park) this July – camping with the kids – they love it! We'll be heading into Hluhluwe so I'm hoping we'll see lion (fingers crossed – they are my ultimate wild animal) and we'll be doing loads of snorkelling at Cape Vidal. Keep an eye out for my next 'photo article' on my return. If we can assist with your African holiday or travels in any way please do get in touch with us.
http://www.africaholidaysandsafaris.com/enquire

FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION REGARDING RHINO POACHING IN SOUTH AFRICA AND TO DONATE PLEASE VISIT:
http://www.stoprhinopoaching.com

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