Poaching Wars

Rhino wars - Bad to worse.
25/03/2013 14:09:26
Rhino poaching reports
March 2013. There seems to be no let up from rhino poaching around the world, as reports keep appearing of rhinos being killed and rhino horns being seized on different continets.

Rhino poaching

Surge in rhino horn seizures at Shanghai Airport
Two men arrested in South Africa in possession of fresh rhino horns: Two KwaZulu-Natal men were arrested in a roadblock between Vryheid and Utrecht with still-bloody rhino horns – less than 24 hours after rangers discovered the corpses of two white rhino in Ezemvelo National Park. One of the two, 44-year-old Muntungowakhe Khoza, of Ulundi, is facing rhino poaching charges stemming from a 2009 case and was out on bail.
Read more on IOL News. http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/suspected-rhino-poachers-caught-1.1487693#.UUj6ZxeeOSo

Black rhino poached on Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. Poachers have killed a rhino, which gave birth a few days ago at a private conservancy in Laikipia County. The black rhino was shot dead at Ol'Pejeta Conservancy, bringing to three the number of rhinos that have been killed by poachers in Mountain Conservation Area since January.
More on Standard Digital http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000079790&story_title=Kenya-Kenya:%20Poachers%20kill%20rhino

Irish connection to major rhino horn thefts and smuggling ring. An Irish gang have been linked to the theft of rhino horns across Europe and in North America.
Read Irish connection to major rhino horn thefts. http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/irish-rhino

Indian rhinos poached - Assam forests officials said this on Saturday after poachers killed the 10th rhino in the 860 sq km Kaziranga National Park this year.  It was the 16th rhino killed by poachers in Assam.
Read more on the Hindustan Time http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Guwahati/Rhino-killing-goes-on-unabated-in-Assam/Article1-1031291.aspx

13 rhinos and 2 poachers shot dead in India.
Read the full item at India Realtime.
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/03/06/indian-rhino-poachers-shot-dead/

WS

Thanks for posting that and all the links WS. It makes for very sad reading and who knows when it will end. Presumably when the last rhino has been poached. It doesn't bear thinking about.

Lai

Hi WS

These news flashes are in our press daily.

I think we have become too used to it – totally de-sensitized.

Despite the facts that everybody knows about this and all the debates and all the efforts we are still losing this battle.

Unemotional and intelligent minds will have to resolve this issue if we want to change this.

Chris

I think your right Chris. There are reports, and photos that a few years ago would have been shocking, but they are coming so often people are becoming used to them. To my mind there are to many Governments, business's, and organisations who are only paying lip service to the protection of endangered wildlife like the Rhino. Perhaps it's time that those of us that are emotionaly involved, started to be a bit more pragmatic, and look at the different options to help save this species. On the Timbavati post you mentioned Rhino farming, where the Horn is shaved, my concern was that this promotes the use of Rhino horn. However from a realistic point of view, the Rhinos both Black, and White species will have long been extinct before China, or Vietnam accept that as a medicine it is useless. So as unpalatable as it is, do we look to Rhino farming as a way to supply the demand. If it was done on a big enough, and cost effective enough scale. That it brought the price of Rhino horn down so low, that it made poaching no longer worth while, would that not help to save the species untill such time as those that use it can be convinced that as a medicine it has no value.
WS

Under threat from poachers, the rhinos who live in... Kent
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2301354/Under-threat-poachers-rhinos-live--Kent.html#ixzz2P8rFqfCK

WS

Sadly I am not at all surprised. Any rhinos anywhere in the world, whether they be wild or in a zoo or a safari park must be under threat. It had to come to this, the desire to have rhino horn is so great that the poachers will go to any lengths to obtain it.

Thanks for the link WS.

Rhino horn DNA database introducedBy Tom Heap
BBC Radio 4's Costing the Earth
A new DNA database is being set up to hold genetic information on all the rhinoceros horn in the UK in an attempt to stop its theft and trade

For more on the story click the link below
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22075274

WS

Thanks WS. Interesting link, let's hope this helps.

Lai

Rhino poaching facts
The Afican Wildlife Detective

http://www.africa-wildlife-detective.com/rhino-poaching.html

WS

Thanks WS,

I spoke to somebody this weekend that is at the frontline of this issue and they seemed quite depressed that despite the increased awareness the numbers are still getting out of control. It seems like all the efforts are having no effect.

I was told of a Mozambican man that arrived in his village with a freshly poached rhino horn in his village on the border of Kruger Park.

The whole village exploded into celebration and joy because they believed that this rhino horn would bring them wealth and alleviate their poverty. There are just too many fronts to fight against this.

Can I ask that people click through to the solutions to rhino poaching link at the bottom of the page and give me an opinion about how they see the solution?

It gets too depressing to simply look at the escalating problem. We must surely put our energies into the possible solutions.

Chris

I agree Chris, it just gets worse when you see all the incidents that are being reported. It's almost becoming common place now. The price of Rhino Horn now is so high, higher even than Gold, and people like the Mozambican man, and his Village are living in such poverty that regretably I can understand why people like this will kill a Rhino for its Horn. For them it must feel like winning the lottery. Its the big money from Countries like China, and Vietnam that are funding this ever growing problem, and as your Rhino Poaching Solutions suggests there is not just one answer as to how to stop it. I have said before thats it should be treated as an African Continent stratergy with all the different Governments, and NGO's joining together, rather than on a Country by Country basis, but it really needs Global action as well. Arresting, and convicting one Mozambican man, will not put a stop to this, its the people at the top of the Rhino Horn trade that must be traced, and stopped.
I also think there is a crucial 4th solution, and that is that the local villagers in all the areas, must benifit, and become stake holders in the future of the Rhinos, and other wildlife of Africa, these benifits from tourism, must be seen to be long term, and crucial for these peoples children, to take them out of poverty, and give them a future. That way it will give them an incentive to help tp protect the Rhinos, as they know their own future depends on its survival, and any money they now get from Poaching will soon dry up when there are no Rhinos left.

If you would like to see AWD's Rhino Poaching Solutions, and comment Click the link below
http://www.africa-wildlife-detective.com/solutions-to-rhino-poaching.html

WS

Mozambique - The epicentre of rhino poaching?
24/04/2013 15:36:32
300 rhinos have disappeared from 1 National Park in Mozambique

April 2013. Authorities in Mozambique have declared that there are now no rhinos left alive in Limpopo National Park after the last 15 were killed in March. The park, which borders South Africa, used to contain as many as 300 rhinos, but now they have all gone, and 30 of the parks rangers have been arrested and accused of complicity.

It can be no coincidence that this park borders South Africa's Kruger National Park, where 425 rhinos were killed by poachers in 2012, and another 150 so far in 2013.

Rhino horn town
To the south of Limpopo National Park is the tiny town of Kabok, on the way to Maputo. Kabok has recently been identified as ‘rhino horn town' in a very interesting article in on www.iol.co.za; apparently the towns new found wealth is derived from the rhino horn trade - Read the full article here.

Philip Mansbridge, CEO of Care For the Wild, said "This is sad, sad news, but not surprising. The epidemic of rhino poaching is out of control, so while we sit and watch, famous national parks like Limpopo are inevitably going to lose one of their most treasured inhabitants.

"We need better protection on the ground, we need Vietnam to wake up and tell its people that rhino horn is not a magical elixir, and we need governments around the world to dip into their aid budgets and help. Otherwise, just like in Limpopo now, the only way we're ever going to see a rhino is in a museum."

Looks like the Kruger National Parks will be next on the poachers list to wipe out

WS

Sorry I missed the latest on this thread Chris and WS. I will get back to this later and click on the link.

Lai

The wrongs and rights of the USA granting an import licence for rhino horn

US allows Republican donor to import rhino horn from Namibia
On March 28, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife issued a permit for the importation of a black rhinoceros horn shot in Namibia in 2009. (According to Business Week, the rhino was shot by David K. Reinke, a big donor to Republican political candidates). The granting of the licence caused an outcry in many circles, but others accepted it as part of a 'necessary evil', as the substantial amount of money raised will go back into rhino conservation.

Conservation & trophy hunting
Many major conservation organisations are, in a very qualified way, in favour of strictly controlled and regulated trophy hunting when it further the cause of, and generates funds for, conservation.

The hunter's view
Reinke himself is quoted as saying, by abc news, "My desire is to help save the rhino through a scientific method approved by the United States and other agencies," Reinke said. "It's all about conservation.

Reinke also shot a spotted hyena, two Gemsbok, a kudu, a Damaraland springbuck, a zebra, a giraffe, and a 'free range desert lion (What other sort are there? Oh yes, canned.), and probably many more. We have no information about whether he imported these 'trophies' into the USA.

However, according to Conservation Force, "He is a very experienced dangerous game hunter who has taken all the Big Five (not black rhino) a number of times." We would like to know whether all these animals were shot purely because "It is all about conservation."

To see the arguments of the Wrongs, and Right of The USA decision click the link

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/rhino-horn-import-usa.html

WS

Hi WS - that was a good link to post with some credible contributions.

This debate rages in our country every day.

As a chartered accountant I have an inherent mistrust in organizations that claim that fees for hunting are channeled towards conservation efforts.

I need to see independently verified audits before I can trust those claims.

Like I said before – I have known very passionate conservationists that are hunters here in our country as well - so I know I have to keep an open mind during these debates.

These debates are very uncoordinated and fragmented and I am trying to think of a way to facilitate an ongoing debate on my website by inviting some experts to join in.

In the mean time there is an interesting Ad campaign released in Viet Nam aims to reduce demand for rhino horn.

What I like about this is that it stars a local singer, My Linh that informs people about the composition of rhino horn and urges them not to consume or buy it.

This kind of message has a much better chance of success when it comes from one of their own people.

http://www.wwf.org.za/?8020/rhino-ad-campaign-viet-nam

Chris

I agree Chris, there are Hunters who are conservation minded, and quite a few who have given up hunting to be full time conservationists. But it's an excuse used by lots of Hunters when interviewed, they always seem to say they are conservationists, but they are just trying to justify what they do, and that reflects badly on the genuine ones. In the USA case above, they say the Rhino was past breeding age, OK, but what concerns me is the import licence was for Rhino Horn, not a Trophy. What message does that send out, that it's OK to have Rhino Horn as long as it's from animals past breeding age. It just promotes the use of the Horn. There also needs to be more transparancy in to just how much money is going to wildife conservation
The debates as you say are fragmented, exactly like what to do about poaching, and how to combat it. All the strands want pulling together from the different organisations, and governments.

On Tuesday Prince William, will challange African Countries, and Asian consumer Countries at a Global Conference to do something about poaching. It's the only way that all the strands are going to be pulled together to have an effect to show this problem needs a global response
.HRH The Duke Of Cambridge Prince William - CITES CoP16 Statement . to CITES at the last meeting


WS

From Sky News
Princes Call For Wildlife Trafficking Ban

Prince Charles and Prince William will tell delegates that poaching has become sufficiently organised to be called 'trafficking'
By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent
Prince Charles and Prince William are hosting a conference to call for a global partnership to stop illegal trade in wildlife.
Along with Environment Secretary Owen Paterson they will tell delegates from around the world that the trade presents a grave threat not only to the natural world, but also to global security.
The conference will hear that both black and white rhino are coming under unprecedented attack, fuelled by demand for their horns.
Wildlife experts believe demand for ivory means that for the first time certain populations of African elephant face extinction within a decade.
Delegates will be told that what used to be called "poaching" must now be called "trafficking" due to growing evidence that the trade is being driven by international organised criminal networks and, in some cases, terrorist and rebel militia groups.
Representatives from crime fighting organisations including Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, WWF, Wild Aid and Traffic will be at the conference to discuss how to combat the problem.

For the rest of the Story & Video Click the Link Below
http://news.sky.com/story/1093518/princes-call-for-wildlife-trafficking-ban

WS

Thanks WS. Watched the clip and read the article and I am sure there will be plenty on the news today.

Lai

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the End Wildlife Crime Conference, St. James's Palace



WS

Thanks for posting that WS. A good speech and well put together, let's hope the world was listening. Shame we didnt get to see the short film at the end!

Lai

Admirable sentiments from the "Royals", however I think they have to be a little careful about what they say as they themselves are involved with hunting, shooting birds and stalking deer for sport!!

Safariman

True Safariman, but I think I think the vast majority of people will differenciate, between hunting, and shooting to poaching. We are after all by our DNA Hunter Gatherers, although now days the majority of us are more Gatheres. Although I dont like it, and fail to see what enjoyment there is to killing an animal. I think we have to accept that it will always be with us, and there are as Chris AWD says many hunters who are also good conservationists. They may shoot or hunt for pleasure, but thats a world away from doing it for vast profits from killing endangered species.
I think the most encouraging thing from this conference was the fact that they got together a group of organisations that are global, and I believe that poaching is not just an individual African Country, Asia or Continent problem. It's global with the same groups that run Drugs, and traffic people at the head, thats why it needs a global response with the sort of organisations that can track, and follow the money being made. It's good that poachers are being caught, but catching individual ones, is not going to sort it out, the same as with drug pushers, or people smugglers. There will always be someone to take the risk, and their place for the money involved. As far as I can see CITIES is nothing more than a talking shop, all talk, and no effective action. It's only a combination of agencies like these that given the will power, and resources can cut off, and strangle the money supply from the top, if you stop the money coming down from the top, then you will start to stop the poaching.

WS

Just to lighten the mood for this somber topic see http://emailjokes.co.za/pictures/more/47723_Contributed-by-SSPG13LSave-RhinosStickerAt-last-A-Bumper-Sticker-that-makes-absolute-sense.htm?z=1c9d7dd8849346e3df3f109388221a7e#.UZ4qgUrRz7M


for a bumber sticker that makes sense.

Hope nobody here is offended.

Chris

Very amusing Chris!!! I wonder if it works!!!!!

Safariman