Rhino Poaching 2016

[Flutterby]

According to OSCAP, the poaching figure for 2016 is already at 35.

[Lisbeth]

It is getting worse instead of getting better

[Mel]

Saddening and sickening at the same time.

[Richprins]

Marloth Park is a springboard for KNP poachers
During the incident one poacher was fatally wounded, two were also wounded and arrested.
1 day ago

Spectators in Marloth Park watched as the lifeless body of a poacher killed in action, as well as other suspects being taken away from the banks of the Crocodile River after an early morning shootout with rangers.

MARLOTH PARK – People who live on the banks of the Crocodile River in this conservancy as well as those of the nearby informal settlement at Mjejane witnessed a dramatic early morning shoot-out between Kruger National Park rangers and poachers apparently entering the park from the south.

It happened at dawn on Tuesday. SANParks had confirmed the incident. Malelane rangers made contact with five suspected rhino poachers along the Crocodile River just downstream of the Mjejane Bridge.
During the incident one poacher was fatally wounded, two were also wounded and arrested. The fourth suspected was apprehended with no injuries, while the last one managed to escape and is currently being sought. A rifle and other poaching-related equipment were recovered, according to Mr Rey Thakuli, acting head of communications at SANParks.

The first shots were heard around 02:00. Rangers within the park were alerted. According to a source, they moved in swiftly under the cover of darkness, cordoned off the area and acted at first light. A yellow-and-green SANParks helicopter arrived shortly afterwards with, among others, the chief warden of southern Kruger, Mr Don English.

While people started gathering around, a lifeless body could be seen lying on the river bank across from them. This was later removed. Trained dogs were sent in to find more perpetrators.

One of the men taken away by the rangers was known to the onlookers. Bystanders told Corridor Gazette that this man was working at a pump station on the nearby farm belonging to Mr Charly van Veijeren.

A well-established security expert in Marloth Pasrk says this incident confirms known information that poachers are operating from Marloth Park as well as neighbouring farms and villages. These are people moving freely within the communities or streets of Marloth. They are known to others and often are living in quarters at the back of houses offering caretaking services to weekenders as well as permanent dwellers.


http://lowvelder.co.za/311228/marloth-p ... -poachers/

[Lisbeth]

Is the water so low, that they can cross the river?

[Richprins]

Yes!

[Flutterby]

Poaching hits the Pilanesberg!

In the opening month of 2016 the poachers have hit the Pilanesberg National Park really hard.

3 Rhinos were shot at, and killed, for the horns. Of these one was a female Rhino!
It is a most horrific scene to witness and truly heartbreaking as these animals are such gentle giants with no means of protection against poachers with high calibre rifles.

Another 3 Rhinos were shot at, but have luckily survived the attempts on their lives.

Dr Gerhardus Scheepers had his work cut out in treating the Rhinos and hopefully they will recover 100% to survive another scary day in the wild!

In the photos you will see the bullet wounds and even the trajectory of the bullet as it narrowly missed Rhinos 2 leg bones (fibula and tibia) in 2 of the cases.

The other Rhinos wound is a shoulder wound which is a lot more problematic as the bone has been hit as well.

Pilanesberg NP is not part of SanParks, and relies heavily on the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust for funds to assist in the Rhino poaching scourge.

90% of vetinary and helicopter costs are covered by the PWT.

The PWT also supports the Rhino Protection Unit (RPU) by making funds available for all their equipment and training needs that are deemed necessary.

The PWT relies on fundraising projects, curio sales in the Park, and donations to make assisting the PNP possible.

Many thanks to those that support us!! You make the work we do possible.

[Lisbeth]

What a nice day today

[Richprins]

This is very bad.

Are there many communities adjacent to the Park there, Flutts?

[Flutterby]

Ja, quite a few.