Rhino Poaching 2014

[Richprins]

Mello...the Northern white rhino became extinct in Sudan a couple of years ago, I think...

So zoos started some up in Kenya.

Hopefully there are still some in zoos somewhere?

[Toko]

Northern white rhino on brink of extinction

As conservationists battle the demise of the black rhino, the northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) took one step closer to complete extinction this weekend past.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya reported only six of the white rhino sub-species remained in the world. This followed the death of 34-year-old male Suni. He was one of only two males of the species.
For our black rhino, the numbers are not much better. Poaching has decimated the numbers of all species of rhino worldwide. Nationally, as of Friday, 868 had been killed.
The six black rhino (Diceros bicornis) South Africa donated to Botswana earlier this year are doing well and have become part of Botswana’s national herd, said SANParks head of Wildlife Veterinary Services, Dr Markus Hofmeyr.
“All national rhino matters are discussed and engaged at the Rhino Management Group (SADC range states) and reported back at the African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG) meeting. The move only took place after careful evaluation of habitat, security and capacity to monitor the rhino,” he said.
The northern white’s cousin, the West African black rhino (Diceros bicornis longipes) was last seen in 2006, and declared officially extinct in 2011 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
An AfRSG of IUCN report stated; “Between 2007 and 2012 the number of black rhino increased by 20.1% from 4 230 to 5 080. Estimated numbers of black rhino increased by 4.9% per annum between 2007 and 2010.
It said further that “black rhino numbers show a similar trend to the white rhino data with a slowing of the growth rate in black rhino numbers from 2010-2012 primarily reflecting the impact of the increased poaching rates.”
The report gave the numbers of black rhino regional subspecies as:
– South-western (Diceros bicornis bicornis): 208
– Southern-central (Diceros bicornis minor): 1792
– Black rhino sub-species outside their natural range
– Eastern (Diceros bicornis michaeli): 68.
Still, while the need for drastic measures remained, the numbers needed to be treated with a little caution however, experts warned.
Both in the AfRSG and Dr Sam Ferreira of SANParks said the black rhino was notoriously difficult to count.
“The [2013] rhino survey in Kruger National Park did include black rhino even though the methods are constraining when surveying species occurring at low densities over an area the size of Kruger National Park,” said Ferreira.
The black rhino estimate of 343 to 487 was lower than the predicted 754 to 956 because of issues associated with small population sampling effects, Ferreira added.
Because their numbers are so low, they are listed as critically endangered said Hofmeyr
It seems in terms of helping itself, the black rhino can also be its own worst enemy. “They have a much slower recovery rate than white
rhino, so if you knock them out of an area, it’s not easy to re-establish them,” Hofmeyr said.
He noted it was ideal a group of rhino be moved at a time. However, if there were only a few in the park, then moving 10 at once would impact on the source population.
Hofmeyr added it may take up to five years for black rhino to start breeding properly once they have been translocated.

[mposthumus]

‘The species now stands at the brink of complete extinction, a sorry testament to the greed of the human race,’ the conservancy said.

Yea

[Toko]

DEA Update 24 October 2014

Department of Environmental Affairs notes indictment of South Africans in the USA for rhino poaching-related offences


The Department of Environmental Affairs has noted the indictment of two South Africans by the United States Department of Justice. The indictment of the owners of Out of Africa Adventerous Safaris is noted. We will monitor developments related to the case.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, assisted the US Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in their investigation.

The Department understands that there is a criminal case against Dawie Groenewald and 10 co-accused who are expected to stand trial in South Africa in August 2015 on 1 872 charges including racketeering, the illegal trade in rhino horns, fraud, corruption, assault and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Legal action by the United States Attorney General’s Office comes less than a week after the Police and SANParks officials successfully apprehended 14 suspected rhino poachers in joint operations in the Kruger National Park.

“The success of the joint operations undertaken by the SAPS and SANParks is an example of the commitment of South Africa’s police and rangers to work together to eliminate rhino poaching from our country,” said the Department.

The three highly successful operations had been undertaken in the Kruger National Park between Friday, 17 October 2014, and Sunday, 19 October 2014.

The arrest of the 14 suspected rhino poachers brought to 113 the total number of poachers arrested in the Kruger National Park so far this year.

The Department congratulated all those involved in the operations.

The Department is confident that joint operations such as these will send a strong message to all those intent on poaching any species, particularly rhino, in our national parks, provincial reserves and on private conservation land – that they will be caught and face the full might of the law.

The successful arrests in the Kruger National Park came as the number of rhino poached in South Africa since the start of 2014 increased to 899. The Kruger National Park continued to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa, having lost 581 animals since 1 January 2014.

A total of 109 rhinos have been poached in Limpopo, 74 in KwaZulu-Natal, 57 in Mpumalanga and 53 in North West. A second rhino has been poached in the Northern Cape.

Since January 2014, a total of 282 alleged rhino poachers have been arrested. Among these are an alleged rhino poaching syndicate leader.

**South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.



For media inquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871

[Bushcraft]

899

Why isn't there more noise about this

[Flutterby]

I suppose because it's like hitting your head against a brick wall!

[Bushcraft]

Maybe those with the power to actually do something should take the bricks out of their.................

[Toko]

I think the higher powers don't know where to find the money to buy skilled manpower and technology

[Lisbeth]

The highest power should sell one or two of his houses and start thinking of the heritage of the South Africans

[H. erectus]

Maybe those with the power to actually do something should take the bricks out of their.................

Is it not rather odd that sound built structures will always be intimidated??,...

I think the higher powers don't know where to find the money to buy skilled manpower and technology

Why would they do that,??, expose self to criticism and doubt??

The highest power should sell one or two of his houses and start thinking of the heritage of the South Africans

Hah,...the plot thickens,....