Rhino Poaching 2017-2023

[Lisbeth]

That's not up to Sanparks to decide; what a stupid phrase

[Richprins]

Rhino poaching numbers decrease
Sunday, September 22, 2019

Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy says efforts to save the rhino are paying off as poaching numbers decrease.

From January to June 2019, the number of rhino poached countrywide was 318, a decrease compared to the same period in 2018 when 386 rhino were killed for their horns.

Creecy said the decline can be attributed to cooperation between law enforcement agencies and government departments, including collaboration with private rhino owners, NGOs and other stakeholders.

The implementation of the Integrated Strategic Approach to the Management of Rhino, the Minister said, has also played a part in the decline of rhino poaching.

A total of 190 rhino have been poached in the Kruger National Park in the period under review, even though 1 202 incursions and poacher activities were recorded in the park in the first six months of this year.

“Although the battle to end poaching is far from over, we are proud to say that our efforts as government, private rhino owners and concerned citizens are paying dividends as we continue to implement the Integrated Strategic Approach to the Management of Rhino,” Creecy said.

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has recently entered into partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust to enhance detection capabilities at ports of entry and exit through the use of highly trained canines.

These canines will assist in screening cargo and luggage for wildlife products, including rhino horn.

Today South Africa joins the globe in marking the 9th World Rhino Day. The annual day was launched by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2010 under the theme “Five Rhino Species Forever”.

The day has since grown to become a global event drawing attention to the impact of poaching on the continued survival of the species.

World Rhino Day serves as an opportunity to build a culture of responsible citizenship amongst communities living adjacent to conservation areas.

The South African government believes that bringing local communities into the mainstream of conservation should continue to be central to the anti-rhino poaching strategy.

Creecy said government will redouble efforts to make sure that communities who live on the borders of wildlife parks benefit from conservation and the biodiversity economy so that they are not vulnerable to recruitment by syndicated poaching rings.

“We reiterate our assertion that communities living with rhinos remain as partners in the protection of this iconic species. We must all say that this scourge of rhino poaching cannot continue under our watch.

“It is on this Rhino Day that government, NGOs, business, ordinary citizens, communities, the youth and conservation bodies unite to celebrate the five species of rhino still left in the world – the Black Rhino, White Rhino, Greater one-horned rhino, Sumatran and Javan rhinos,” the Minister said.

She also called on citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to wildlife to the anti-poaching hotline number 0800 205 005 or the police on 10111. – SAnews.gov.za

https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa- ... s-decrease

[Lisbeth]

Nothing new, but at least some recent figures even if the rhino numbers in the wild are still missing

[Richprins]

KNP lost 190 rhinos since beginning of 2019
Although South Africa has seen a decrease in rhino poaching due to intensified anti-poaching efforts, people in the know say it is because there are fewer rhinos left in the wild.
6 hours ago
Landé Willemse



Photo: South Africa Wildlife College

Minister of environment, forestry and fisheries, Barbara Creecy said on Sunday, World Rhino Day, that from January to June 2019, the number of rhinos poached in South Africa stood at 318. For the same period last year 386 were poached.

Of these statistics, it is the Kruger National Park that bears the brunt of rhino poaching. Creecy confirmed the park lost 190 rhinos in the first six months of this year.

The Kruger National Park had a total of 1,202 incursions and poacher activities for the first half of 2019.
She added that bringing local communities into the mainstream of nature conservation should remain the central point of the government’s anti-rhino poaching strategy.

“We will redouble our efforts to make sure that communities who live on the borders of our parks benefit from conservation and the biodiversity economy, so they are not vulnerable to recruitment by syndicated poaching operations.”

Cooperation between relevant roleplayers, such as enforcement agencies and the government, along with NGOs and private game reserves, was one of the reasons that the fight against rhino poaching has been so successful. Creecy added that the successes in local courts are also noteworthy.

“We note with appreciation the recent partnerships between the department and the Endangered Wildlife Trust aimed at enhancing detection capabilities at ports of entry and exit through the use of highly trained canines. These canines will assist in screening cargo and luggage for wildlife products, including rhino horn.”

Although rhino poaching had steadily declined, a source in the industry said there are fewer rhinos left to poach, and that makes the stats look better.

“Still, what people are doing on the ground in the fight against rhino poaching has made a huge impact. It is however important to remember that it continues to be a war out there, and we can not relax for one moment.”

An appeal was made to the public and roleplayers to stay vigilant, and to report any suspicious wildlife crimes to the anti-poaching hotline number 0800-205-005 or by calling the police on 10111.

https://lowvelder.co.za/504825/knp-lost ... ning-2019/

[Lisbeth]

The Kruger National Park had a total of 1,202 incursions and poacher activities for the first half of 2019.

That's a very precise number, how would they know

[Lisbeth]

Botswana rhinos risk wipeout as poaching rises

2019-10-09 15:00 | AFP

Nine Botswana rhinos have been poached since April, the government said on Wednesday, an unprecedented rate of one per month that could see rhinos wiped out in the southern African country by 2021.

The thousands of rhinos that once roamed Africa and Asia have been culled by poaching and habitat loss. Very few are found outside national parks and reserves, where they remain threatened.

Botswana is home to just under 400 rhinos, according to Rhino Conservation Botswana, most of which roam the grassy plains of the northern Okavango Delta.

A ministry of environment statement said two rhinos were poached within five days in the Okavango late last month, raising the total number to nine since April.

"We have been losing about a rhino a month to poaching," said Mmadi Reuben, rhino coordinator for Botswana's wildlife department in the statement.

"If the poaching continues at this rate there will be no rhinos in Botswana in a year or two, especially the black rhino."

While southern white rhinos have been rescued from extinction, black rhinos are still considered critically endangered, with only around 4 200 living in the wild.

Less than 20 are found in Botswana, which is also home to the continent's largest elephant population.

Botswana has a zero-tolerance approach to poaching and previously operated a "shoot-to-kill" policy against perpetrators.

"The anti-poaching forces have now placed the protection of rhinos and location of these poaching gangs as their highest priority," said the statement, adding that two perpetrators were killed in recent operations.

But poaching is escalating in the region, driven by demand for rhino horn in Asian countries, and authorities are overwhelmed.

"The Okavango is a very large area with difficult wetland terrain, which these poachers are using to their advantage," said the ministry.

Sold for up to 55 000 euros/kg ($60 300/kg) on the black market, rhino horn is used in traditional medicine or as a symbol of wealth and success.

Botswana's neighbour South Africa lost more than 7 100 rhinos over the past decade, including 769 in 2018.

Namibia has also recorded recent incidents of rhino poaching, which leaves the animal bleeding to death after its horn is hacked off.

[Alf]

[Richprins]

White rhino killed in KNP, poachers caught soon after
While South Africa celebrates a decline in poaching, a white rhino was shot and killed in the Kruger National Park (KNP) this weekend.
5 hours ago
Lande Willemse

Ike Phaahla, general manager of communications at the KNP, confirmed the tragic news, but said due to the quick reaction of the field rangers, the two suspects were arrested shortly after the incident.

“On Friday rangers heard six shots and immediately followed up.”




The fresh carcass was found in the Stoltznek area. The rangers called in the K9 reaction unit and the air wing for backup.

After an intensive search, the two suspects were cornered and arrested. They are expected to appear in court soon.

Recently released crime statistics by the SAPS have put overall poaching for 2018/19 at 520, a 12 per cent decrease from the previous year. But despite a national decline in poaching, the KNP lost 190 rhinos in the first six months of 2019.



Peter Knights, CEO of WildAid, said the crisis goes on as rhino numbers continue to decline. In a statement on its website at the end of last year, he confirmed that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in China made another record seizure from two passengers flying from South Africa to Vietnam.

Sadly it seems that the Asian trade in rhino horn has not decreased in proportion to the numbers poached in South Africa.

He believes that in addition to anti-poaching efforts, work needs to be done to curb illegal trade in Asia.

“To stop organised crime, we still need to prosecute the kingpins in South Africa and Mozambique as well as the buyers in China and Vietnam. Apprehending the foot soldiers and mules who have been caught to date is simply not enough.”

https://lowvelder.co.za/510403/white-rh ... ught-soon/

[Lisbeth]

Another rhino has died

At least there seem to be more transparency/information

All the rest is repetition

[Klipspringer]