Camino for Rhino's

Rhinos the defenceless

17 October 2012

from SAWJBV by daniev@sahunt.co.za (Danie Venter)

Rhinos the Defenceless

Injustice is part of human nature. It existed for as long as man was able to record his activities and before. It led to war and extinction and will continue to do so. Injustice towards the defenceless is bad, it rules out recourse and scars deeply. When injustice happens towards those who are not here yet, those who will live in future, that is the worse.

The world and its rulers have done it over and over allowing destruction and eradication by people and often did it themselves. Over time we have lost a lot and now, because of no will or the presence of greed the loss will continue and so will the disappearance of Rhinos.

Rhinos are defenceless against people, poachers, systems, subcultures, governments, politicians and even CITES. Yes Rhinos are defenceless against us all. We all are standing by, pontificating or protecting sectional or self interest whilst Rhino numbers are dwindling. Blood from humans and Rhinos flows but we are allowing ourselves the luxury of talking. Shame on you, shame on me, shame on all of us or, is it all of us? 

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SA rhino poaching hits record

17 October 2012

Reuters
JOHANNESBURG - A record number of African rhinos were illegally killed in South Africa this year, driven by the use of their horns in Chinese medicine and a spreading belief in Southeast Asia, unfounded in science, that they may cure cancer.

The street value of rhinoceros horns has soared to about $65,000 a kilogramme, making it more expensive than gold.

South Africa, home to more than 20,000 rhinos, or about 90 percent of all the rhinos in Africa, lost 455 rhinos to poachers, as of Tuesday, to eclipse the 448 killed in all of 2011, the environment ministry said in a statement.

Around 15 animals a year were lost a decade ago, showing the impact of rising demand from Asia.

The number of rhinoceroses dying unnatural deaths in South Africa, either through illegal poaching or legal hunts, has now reached a level likely to lead to population decline, according to a study by Richard Emslie, an expert in the field.

Poaching increased dramatically from about 2007 as a growing affluent class in China, Vietnam and Thailand began spending more on rhino horn for traditional medicine, where it was once used for ailments such as devil possession.

About half of poaching takes place in Kruger National Park, the country's flagship park covering an area about the size of Israel, where soldiers and surveillance aircraft have been deployed in recent months to slow the carnage.

The park has been the focal point of an arms race as gangs of poachers sponsored by international crime syndicates have used high-powered weaponry, night vision goggles and helicopters to hunt the animals, investigators said.

Russell, a Belgian shepherd dog, is the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve's newest weapon against rhino poachers. Picture: Sapa

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WWF calls for action against wildlife crime

 

from WWF - News

In response to record poaching rates, WWF is today launching a global campaign calling on governments to combat illegal wildlife trade and reduce the demand for illicit endangered species products. Demand for rhino horn, ivory, and tiger parts from consumer markets in Asia is driving wild populations dangerously close to extinction.

So far this year, 339 rhinos have been killed by poachers in South Africa in order to supply consumer markets in Vietnam, where the animal’s horn is advertised as a hangover tonic and cure for terminal illness. Rhino poaching has increased by more than 3 000% in the past five years.

“African rhinos are a unique part of Africa’s heritage,” says Dr. Deon Nel, Biodiversity Unit Head of WWF-South Africa (WWF-SA). “Africans need to take ownership of this iconic species and not allow them to be exploited for the benefit of a few.”

Nel explains, “Over the years we’ve seen the squabble for Africa’s natural resources by foreign interests playing out, leading to the depletion of valuable fisheries and exploitation of mineral resources to benefit a select few. The current exploitation of Africa’s rhinos is no different. The rhino has been an object of value in African culture for centuries, as illustrated by the Mapungubwe gold sculpture of a rhino.”

As a result of exceptional conservation efforts, current populations of African rhinos are currently estimated to be almost three times more than they were two decades ago and continue to grow despite the scourge of poaching. South Africa has been particularly successful in these efforts and is home to more than 80% of all African rhinos.

“Conservationists, through these successes, have managed to create a natural resource of considerable environmental, economic, social and cultural value. Unfortunately, it is exactly this value that has led to the demise of so many of Africa’s other natural resources. The fight to save Africa’s rhino’s should become a symbol of Africans taking greater ownership of our resources” Nel says.

In light of this, the illegal wildlife trade is one of the most lucrative international organised crimes. Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director of Conservation for WWF-International, explains, “The criminal syndicates involved in illegal wildlife trade have also been implicated in murder, drug trafficking, arms proliferation and even terrorism.”

He adds, “This campaign is more than just saving species from extinction; it is about promoting the rule of law, protecting rangers and bringing an end to an illegal trade.”

WWF is appealing to its supporters and the general public through online activities designed to educate, empower and activate them on behalf of the campaign. Supporters will have the opportunity to join the conversation, provide their campaign ideas, and undertake direct advocacy with world leaders.

South Africa: 373 Rhinos Killed in 248 Days (via Annamiticus)

The massacre of South Africa’s iconic rhinos continues unabated, as the latest figures released by the government show a staggering 373 rhinos killed since the start of 2012. Although 199 suspects have been arrested in South Africa for rhino crimes this year, none are at the “kingpin” level.…