Rhino Numbers and Census

[Richprins]

[Richprins]

The above two scientists are extremely experienced indeed, but not politicians. The normal spokesman regarding censuses over the years, if you read back on the thread, has been DR Sam Ferreira. Absent in this case.

[Richprins]

SANParks on Sunday denied that the Kruger National Park (KNP) planned on moving 500 of its rhino out of the park and selling half of them to private buyers.


"This matter is one of the matters currently under discussion by the board of SANParks and reporting on it was rather premature," spokesman Wanda Mkutshulwa said in a statement.


SANParks have admitted to continued rhino sales throughout the poaching years, including this year, so nothing premature there?

The Sunday Times reported the KNP planned on evacuating the 500 rhinos to a secret location in a last-ditch bid to save the animals from poachers.

Four sources reportedly told the publication that 250 of the rhinos were sold to private buyers for about R60 million, the other half would be moved to a safe location controlled by South African National Parks (SANParks)


Once again, if it is about saving rhino, why cash 60 million out of it?


Mkutshulwa said the movement of rhinos for their protection was nothing new in the country.



This is extremely new indeed! The first time saving rhino has been used as an excuse by SP for selling them...literally in the last month!




He said the current population in the KNP came from a seed stock of about 350 rhinos from Hluhluwe Mfolozi Park in St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal in the 1960s when rhinos were locally extinct in the park.

Smokescreen, nothing to do with poaching.

The paper reported that there was infighting in SANParks which was getting in the way of the planned move.

Mkutshulwa dismissed it as a rumour.

"We are not aware where such information would be emanating from and believe it is just a rumour from unnamed sources we would really prefer to refrain from responding to."



How can it be a rumour, when three of the top officials depart?



He said the SANParks board had scheduled a meeting to deliberate on proposals to implement further plans in the protection of rhino.

The board would possibly make key decisions or further recommendations to management at the meeting.


This is long past "Board" stage...prevaricating!

"The public will be appraised of any matters of relevance," Mkutshulwa said.


The public is perfectly aware of matters of relevance, unless there is something the public is not allowed to know. In fact, this is an incredibly arrogant and sinister statement! The public owns Kruger Park, and pays all officials' salaries, including the Board. This fact seems to have been lost in the mindset of the current custodians.

[nan]

who is this Nan

[Richprins]

Dr Gert Dry, a SANParks board member, said Mabunda and Magoma had taken up their cases with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

This is the most important news, and sheds some light as to the apparent "lack of infighting" at SP headquarters.

This is clear evidence, which has been requested regarding discussions on SP's own website, for example...

Politics are deeply involved!

[Richprins]

Here's the thing:

There were no white rhino aerial counts pre 2013...don't even know if that happened? All the things mentioned regarding Etosha etc. pertain to black rhino, a strange comparison, but helicopter census of black rhino in Kruger well documented if you look further back on the thread.

The statement that 2014 census will give a clearer picture is proof, re. white rhino, that we are still not sure?

[Richprins]

Very good article!

The opinion on legal sales is a bit sketchy?


Largely they're being donated to the Botswana government. We'll have to purchase some.


A grey area here...

The "shoot to kill" policy works wonders, IMO!

[H. erectus]

The Botswana .gov mindset obviously has a great impact
on the local industry,..

Probably our lot can learn from,..

Question is and to date, "how long can they bolster the
onslaught",.......

With all due respect to that government regarding law
and order, I doubt they will manage,..

[Toko]

The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa will address a media briefing on the outcome of the 2013 rhino census conducted in the Kruger National Park and other interventions employed by South Africa to address rhino poaching in the country. The Briefing will be held on the 12th August 2014.

Cabinet was, on 6 August 2014, briefed on the outcomes of the 2013 rhino census conducted in the Kruger National Park and approved the recommended strategic interventions to secure the rhino population.

https://www.environment.gov.za/mediarel ... iabriefing

[Toko]

Mrs Edna Molewa will address a media briefing on the outcome of the 2013 rhino census