Poaching Wars

Andy Murray shows his support for the fight against wildlife crime this Wimbledon

Have you noticed a United for Wildlife logo on defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray's sleeve at this year's tournament?

Andy has joined other British sporting giants, David Beckham and Lewis Hamilton, to raise awareness about the illegal wildlife trade, as part of United for Wildlife's campaign, 'Whose Side Are You On.'

United for Wildlife was created by The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. It has brought together the world’s leading wildlife charities under a common purpose; to create a global movement for change

For more on the story click the link http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/Andy-murray.html#cr

WS

ABOUT TIME

Record sentence for rhino poacher

news/2010_jan/rhino_poacher_gets_77_years
In a rare decision a poacher from South Africa has been sentenced to the heaviest penalty available, 77 years, for committing wildlife crimes, after being arrested in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in 2011 for killing three rhino calves.

The long sentence has been handed out partly because the South African court held the poacher, Mandla Chauke, responsible for the death of his accomplice who was killed by park rangers in a shoot-out. As a result, Chauke was also convicted for murder.

“This is a huge triumph for the rhino and we warmly welcome this reward as it will provide the much needed boost to the anti poaching teams who endure harsh conditions for the protection of our parks,” said the Acting Chief Executive Officer of SANParks, Abe Sibiya.

The KNP has lost 370 animals to poaching since January this year and 62 people have been arrested in connection with some of the cases.
“Our wish is to see a significant increase in such convictions and for the law enforcement authorities in affected countries to cooperate and work with us to end this scourge,” said Sibiya

WS

Trophy hunting is back in Zambia
news/2010_jan/elephants_zambia

Zambia’s 2013 ban on hunting has been lifted, its Minister of Tourism and Arts, Jean Kapata, has announced. This means hunting wildlife, with the exception of big cats, is now legal across the 19 hunting blocks.

Ms Kapata said that the hunting will be conducted under laid down conditions and strict supervision from the #Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and the ban on big cats will remain until a survey on lion population numbers is complete.

Hunting elephants, though, will be allowed. This news comes at the same time as new research has revealed that an estimated 100,000 elephants in Africa were killed for their ivory between 2010 and 2012 and elephant population numbers are declining by two per cent to three per cent a year. This effectively means that more of the animals are being killed than are being born.

According to the Zambia Daily Mail, the Minister said at a press conference that the prolonged ban had had a negative impact on the local communities that depend on wildlife for sustenance.

Hunting in the 19 hunting blocks was suspended in 2013 due to a flawed tendering process.

“It must be borne in mind that the reduction of operational income to ZAWA arising from the prolonged suspension of hunting has put a strain on the government that has had to supplement ZAWA’s shortfall in revenue,” said the Minister.

Hunting safaris are mandated by law to take place in game management areas (GMAs) where local communities live.


The role hunting plays in conservation is the subject of a public debate, hosted by the World Land Trust at the Royal Society in London, on September 2. The expert panel includes Chris Packham, Mark Avery and Bill Oddie

WS

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that. I know I am naïve about this but I am against trophy hunting. It will be interesting to hear what the panel thinks as they are all good people with strong opinions.

Thanks for that WS.

Lai

Six suspected poachers arrested in Mozambique dawn raid

news/Elephant_Tusks_Mozambique
The ivory haul and weapons discovered during the raid on poachers in Mozambique © Wildlife Conservation Society

Six suspected poachers were arrested in Marrupa, Mozambique on Sunday 7 September in a joint operation conducted by the Mecula District police, Luwire scouts and Niassa National Reserve Wildlife Conservation Society scouts.

The arrests were the result of a 10-month investigation informed by crucial on-the-ground intelligence about activities in the Niassa National Reserve, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society, which has co-managed the Niassa National Reserve with the Mozambique government since 2012.

During the early morning raid, 12 tusks and two rifles were confiscated. Two of the tusks, of 23kg (57lb) each, were from an elephant of about 40 years of age. The worth was estimated at over US$150,000 (£92,325).

The suspects have been charged with cooperating with poachers, illegal possession of firearms, participating in poaching, and organised crime. If convicted, all suspects face fines and jail time.

Wildlife Conservation Society President and CEO Cristian Samper said from Niassa: “With this arrest we have charged a shooter, porters and poacher informers who are driving the elephant crisis in Niassa Reserve.”

It is estimated there are 13,000 elephants remaining in Niassa National Reserve, located in northern Mozambique.

Covering over 42,000 sq km (16,216 sq miles), the Niassa Reserve is roughly the size of Denmark or the US state of Massachusetts.

It is the largest protected area in Mozambique and holds the country’s largest remaining population of elephants.

Based on information provided by the suspects, law enforcement officials estimate that this group of poachers has killed 39 elephants in 2014 alone.

“During a fly-over across a portion of the reserve, I personally witnessed an elephant that had been killed by poachers,” Samper said.

“The elephant was brought down with an AK-47. We need to combine our strategies and firepower to take on these brutal criminals.”
Six suspected poachers arrested in Mozambique dawn raid


This arrest is considered a major crackdown on one of five well-organised groups suspected of poaching elephants in Niassa.

“This is an important raid that has shut down a group of poachers responsible for killing many of Niassa’s elephants,” said Alastair Nelson, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Mozambique Program.

“This is the clear result of an important partnership between the Mozambique government, Luwire, Niassa National Reserve, and WCS.”

“It is partnerships like this that will help us advance important efforts to protect Niassa’s elephants, promote security and governance, and secure national assets for the people of Mozambique,” Nelson said.

“This work on the ground is part of a three-part strategy to stop the killing of elephants and stop the trafficking and demand for ivory,” said Samper. “To solve this crisis, we need to focus efforts in Africa and on the other end of the supply chain in places such as China and the United States.”

WS

Rhino horn demand down in Vietnam16/10/2014 10:16:37
Demand for rhinoceros horn in Vietnam has dropped by almost 40 percent since the launch of a public education and awareness campaign in August 2013.

The campaign was jointly implemented by the Humane Society International (HIS) and the Vietnam Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The year-long campaign focused on targeting people in Vietnam’s capital city, Ha Noi, by engaging stakeholder groups to help spread messages against the use of rhino horns.

These included the 800,000-member Ha Noi Women’s Association, the business community, university students, the scientific community, leading health experts and school children,. Who all received copies of HSI’s book I’m A Little Rhino as part of their curriculum.

Advertisements also appeared on billboards within the city and at the airport, and on the sides of city busses. Campaign messages were further spread throughout Vietnam through hundreds of press articles.

The results of post-campaign poll indicate that the campaign has been successful and there has been a dramatic reduction in public demand:

Only 2.6 percent of people in Vietnam continue to buy and use rhino horn, a decrease of 38 percent.
77 percent decline in people in Ha Noi buying and using rhino horn, down from 4.5 percent to one percent
25 percent decrease in the number of people in Vietnam who think using rhino horn has medical value
Only 38 percent of the national population and 21 percent of people in Ha Noi city continue to think that rhino horn has medical value, a 51 percent and 53 percent decrease respectively from last year
Of those who think rhino horn can treat diseases, most believe it can treat cancer (60 percent) and rheumatism (40 percent)
"Insatiable demand for rhino horn is driving rhinos to the brink of extinction, so reducing that demand is absolutely crucial,” said Teresa M. Telecky, director of the wildlife department for HIS.

“These poll results demonstrate that, even in a relatively short period of time, our demand reduction campaign has succeeded in significantly and dramatically altering public perception and influenced behaviour. The results offer a vital ray of hope for the survival of rhinos.”

WS

Thanks WS. That's certainly good news that the demand for rhino horn is down in Vietnam, long may it continue to decrease until it's 0.

Lai

South African brothers charged with selling illegal rhino hunts
29/10/2014 11:50:34  

The US government has accused two South African brothers of conspiring to sell illegal rhinoceros hunting trips to Americans and of selling rhino horns on the black market.

The brothers, Dawie and Janneman Groenewald, who own Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris, have been charged with “conspiracy to sell illegal rhinoceros hunts in South Africa in order to defraud American hunters, Lacey Act violations, mail fraud, money laundering and structuring bank deposits to void reporting requirements”. The Lacey Act is the US's oldest criminal statute addressing illegal poaching and wildlife trafficking, makes it a crime to sell animal hunts conducted in violation of state, federal, tribal and foreign law. The indictment also alleges that the defendants then sold the rhino horn on the black market.

According to the 18-count indictment, the Groenewald brothers and their company Valinor Trading CC, sold hunting experiences at their ranch in Mussina, South Africa to American hunters at hunting conventions in the US between 2005 and 2010. Hunters paid between $3,500 and $15,000 for the rhino hunts. During this time Janneman Groenewald lived in Autauga County, Alabama, where Out of Africa maintained bank accounts.

The hunters were offered bargain prices because they were told a particular rhino had to be killed because it was a problem, and therefore, while no trophy could be legally exported, the hunters could, they would say, shoot the rhino, pose for a picture with the dead animal, and make record book entries.  Meanwhile, the defendants are alleged to have failed to obtain necessary permits required by the South African government, and to have cut the horns off some of the rhinos with chainsaws and knives. According to the US government this meant the brothers were not only profiteering from the illegal hunts but also the illegal sales of the horn as well.

The US Federal government are asking for the brothers to be extradited from South Africa to face the charges, which carry maximum sentences ranging from five years to 20 years.

“We are literally fighting for the survival of a species today. In that fight, we will do all we can to prosecute those who traffic in rhino horns and sell rhino hunts to Americans in violation of foreign law,” said Sam Hirsch, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division.

“This case should send a warning shot to outfitters and hunters that the sale of illegal hunts in the US will be vigorously prosecuted regardless of where the hunt takes place.”

"These defendants tricked, lied and defrauded American citizens in order to profit from these illegal rhinoceros hunts,” said U.S. Attorney George L Beck junior.

“Not only did they break South African laws, but they laundered their ill-gotten gains through our banks here in Alabama. We will not allow United States’ citizens to be used as a tool to destroy a species that is virtually harmless to people or other animals.”    

All species of rhinoceros are protected under United States and international law.  Since 1976, trade in rhinoceros horn has been regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

WS

That makes for disgusting reading and I hope they are extradited back to SA where life in prison is not so cushy and let's hope they get the maximum sentence of 20 years.

Lai

Totaly agree Lai, and more news about Rhinos

Quarter of a million pounds worth of rhino horn seized at South African airport
31/10/2014 17:14:18
More than 41kg of rhino horn, worth R4.5 million (quarter of a million pounds), has been seized by custom officials at OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa.

It was a result of specific, targeted profiling work of two foreign nationals travelling from Maputo to Vietnam via Johannesburg. They were intercepted in the International Departures section of the airport for additional searches, where a SARS Detector Dog reacted positively to bags carried by both passengers. In those bags the team found at least 34 large pieces of horn – 20.8kg carried by one passenger and 20.6kg by the other.

Both individuals and the rhino horn have been handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation.

This is the biggest ever seizure of rhino horn by the South ARS Customs team at OR Tambo International

WS

for finding the rhino horn but yet more tragic poaching news.

Lai

Very true Lai, as you say it shows it's still going on.

WS

We just hit a new record in the numbers of rhino poaching in South Africa on Thursday. This year a record total of 1,020 rhino have been killed for their horn since 1 January 2014.


One animal I thought to be safe from poaching used to be Giraffes. Now I see a headline from Tanzania that indicates that "Giraffes Now Top Poacher Hit List"

Reason for this?

It is believed that the bone marrow found in the gigantic mammals' skeletons can cure HIV/AIDS thus the craving for giraffe meat among the local population.

The madness continues.

Chris

Oh no, I have not heard of that before, that is shocking and so sad, so now all the giraffes are going to be poached. When will this madness end?

Lai

Been trying to think of a better word than madness, the only one I can come up with is insanity, and that really means the same thing.
I thought with the news that Rhino Horn demand in Vietnam has fallen by 40% that was at least some good news, but not by those figures. I think we can all make a good educated guess where the rumours about Giraffes started, from the poaching gangs, must be starting to find it difficult to find enough Rhinos to poach so they've started on another animal, to keep the money rolloing in greedy !!!!!!!!!s.
Madness indeed. Thanks for passing the info on Chris. I will pass it on to other sites as much as possible

WS

Public asked to help catch nine prominent wildlife criminals

news/2010_jan/interpol
Eight out of nine fugitives wanted by Interpol for environmental crimes © INTERPOL

For the first time INTERPOL is calling on the public worldwide to help locate nine individuals wanted for serious environmental and wildlife crimes, and bring them to justice.
The nine are the first part of INTERPOL’s Operation Infra (International Fugitive Round Up and Arrest) Terra, which is focusing on 139 fugitives wanted by 36 member countries for environmental crimes, including illegal fishing, wildlife trafficking, illegal trade and disposal of waste, illegal logging and trading in illicit ivory. This is the first INTERPOL fugitive operation targeting individuals specifically wanted for crimes concerning the environment.


These include Feisal Mohamed Ali, who is alleged to be the ringleader of an ivory smuggling ring in Kenya. The other eight fugitives include Adriano Giacobone; Ahmed Kamran; Ariel Bustamante Sanchez; Ben Simasiku; Bhekumusa Mawillis Shiba; Nicolaas Antonius Cornelis Maria Duindam; Sergey Darminov; Sudiman Sunoto.

Ioannis Kokkinis, Criminal Intelligence Officer with INTERPOL’s Fugitive Investigative Support unit is encouraging the public to share any information with their local or national police or INTERPOL to help track down the fugitives.

“Even the smallest detail, which you might think is insignificant, has the potential to break a case wide open when combined with other evidence the police already have,” said Kokkinis.

“Sometimes all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes to bring new momentum to an investigation and provide the missing clue which will help locate these wanted individuals, some of whom have been evading justice for years.”

Support for the operation was offered by partners in the environmental field including the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), the Wildcat Foundation, USAID, the European Commission and the Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation.

“We believe that the capture of these criminals on the run will contribute to the dismantlement of transnational organised crime groups who have turned environmental exploitation into a professional business with lucrative revenues,” said Stefano Carvelli, Head of INTERPOL’s Fugitive Investigative Support unit.

I know its not just about poaching, but that's part of this investigation, and not before time an International Police response to wildlife crime

WS

About time too!

Thanks for that WS

Lai

Go, Dog, Go! South Africa Is Sick of the Rhino Poachers

Strapped into a black nylon harness, Venom abseils from a helicopter 100 feet to a bush clearing below.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/attack-dogs-rappelling-choppers-deployed-172630669.html

WS

- sounds like a positive step to help with the poaching wars.

Thanks for the link WS.

Lai

Interesting post WS - thanks.

By the way some sad news in South Africa is that the rhino conversationist and activist Dr Ian Player (brother of the more famous golfer Gary) died at his home on Sunday. He was 87.

Around here he is famous for pioneering the saving of the white rhino from extinction through Operation Rhino many years ago. Without him I am afraid we would not even be discussing rhino conservation today because they would have been extinct by now.

Chris

That's sad news to learn but thanks to him Operation Rhino became a reality.

Thanks for letting us know Chris.

Lai

I agree very sad news, and he did do so much for the White Rhinos

WS

Ugandan wildlife boss suspended after massive ivory theft

news/2010_jan/uganda_ivory_bust.4
The head of Uganda's Wildlife Authority (UWA) has been suspended after seized illegal ivory worth over a million dollars vanished from government strong rooms.

The suspension of Andrew Seguya, UWA’s executive director, follows the suspension of five of the agency’s top officials, including UWA's chief ranger as well as intelligence officers, earlier this week, the government-owned New Vision newspaper said.

The UWA said a routine check had found that 1,335 kilogrammes (2,943 pounds) of ivory had vanished from supposedly secure stockpiles, which officials estimated to be valued at some 1.1 million dollars (880,000 euros).

This news confirms many conservationists beliefs stockpiles of illegal ivory should be destroyed.

"The temptation to profit from ivory stockpiles is simply too great and the release of over 1,300kg of ivory into the illegal market simply perpetuates the illegal trade," says Sally Case, the CEO of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
Uganda's Tourism Minister Maria Mutagamba recommended the UWA boss be suspended until the probe is complete.

WS