Rhino Poaching: Setbacks

[pooky]

R I P Jakes

Condolences to all concerned

Thanks for sharing Sprocky

[Amoli]

It was a sad happening...

Thanks for sharing Sprocky.

[leachy]

that was sad ........................................

[Toko]

http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/cos ... YkHdbW-2So

May 7 2013 at 10:35am
By DUDU ZWANE & SIHLE MLAMBO

A fleet of South African built drones are seemingly winning the fight against rhino poachers at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi park.

Six drones were used as part of a pilot project at the park last month to search for poachers. The park would love to retain its services, but the close to R2.4 million annual maintenance bill is proving a huge obstacle.

The unmanned aircraft appear to have curbed the rampant rhino attacks, said iMfolozi Park manager Jabulani Ngubane.

“We worked with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to implement this pilot project from April 1 until April 30. We have not lost a single rhino since, so I would say it’s been very effective,” Ngubane said.

Project team leader David Jones said the drones targeted poaching hot spots and were active daily from early morning to late in the evenings.

However, the surveillance equipment in each drone and the manpower needed to run the project, has made it too costly to continue.

“Unfortunately the whole operation was very expensive. It costs about R190 000 a month if we wanted to deploy the drones with a full team,” Ngubane said.

He said if funding could be secured, the drones would go a long way towards winning the fight against rhino poaching.

Ian Melamed, chief executive of Shaya Technologies, which manufactured the drones, said the success of the project demonstrated the country had the skills and technology to combat rhino poaching.

Pilot

He said the drones cost R1 850 an hour to operate and his company had sent a team of 12 with six drones to KwaZulu-Natal from Johannesburg for the pilot project.

He said the team included an autopilot operator, a security surveillance operator and a man on the ground to help ground forces.

“The issue here is costs, because from the time the drones were there, not a single rhino was poached. The team worked day and night circling suspicious vehicles at the hot spots and they would eventually run off,” he said.

“For now, drones are the most cost effective option available,” he said.

Melamed said the R190 000 charge was modest.

“This is not luxury, this is a necessity, we just need to make a decision, it’s either we want the rhinos or we don’t. If you do you have to protect them, and at last we have a security system that works,” he said.

“We used computer scientists, avionic technologists and aeronautical engineers from South African universities, they are trained here. Other African countries want our stuff but for us it’s too expensive, yet we can pay nine times more in dollars for the same product.”

Ezemvelo spokesman, Musa Mntambo, said the drones had not been budgeted for in this financial year.

“But we won’t sit down and fold our arms just because the drones are expensive. We may approach private investors or the legislature if the report shows it is effective in combating rhino poaching.”

Mntambo said Ezemvelo relied on informers, soldiers and rangers to protect the rhino.

duduzile.zwane@inl.co.za

sihle.mlambo@inl.co.za

[Richprins]

This is very important, if it works!

The KZN parks are small compared to Kruger, where drones are also used. But I like the Ezimvelo approach of not letting money stand in the way, and approaching the Provincial Legislature for funds. They understand that money spent will mean money kept in the future!

[iNdlovu]

Great if it works, but if I read between the lines they are focusing on vehicles with these drones as opposed to people on foot in Kruger, ....big difference.

[Richprins]

In a sad incident, Letaba Section Ranger Andrew Desmet was shot in the stomach yesterday.

He is in a stable condition in Nelspruit Mediclinic.

Desmet has had an excellent record against poachers in one of the most targeted Sections of Kruger.

[Sprocky]

Are the SANParks staff and the SANDF not communicating with each other as to their whereabouts? I was under the impression that this is a "joint operation".

It's no good having teams in the bush with one group not knowing where the other is.

[Flutterby]

Sad news!!

[vinkie]

Ranger wounded in shootout with suspected poachers

Sapa | 25 mei, 2013 12:23

A ranger was shot and wounded during an operation to apprehend suspected poachers in the Kruger National Park, SA National Parks (SANParks) said on Saturday.

Houtboschrand section ranger Andrew Desmet was shot in the stomach during a joint operation between SANParks and the SA National Defence Force on Friday night, spokesman Reynold Thakhuli said in a statement.

"He was subsequently airlifted to a medical facility in Nelspruit (Mbombela) where he underwent an operation late last night and his condition is stable," he said.

"While this incident was unfolding, another group of rangers made contact with a second group of armed poachers approximately two kilometres away where a shoot-out ensued."

Thakhuli said the poachers managed to escape into the bush and no arrests were made.

A 458 heavy calibre rifle and other poaching equipment were recovered at the scene.

SANParks chief executive David Mabunda extended his well wishes to Desmet on behalf of all park staff.

"Andrew is a long serving member of our ranger corps. We have always said it is a war out there, and we wish once again to thank Andrew and all our rangers who are in the front line of the battle."

He thanked all those who played a role in getting Desmet to safety and wished him a speedy recovery.

"SANParks remains committed to doing everything in our power to roll back the scourge of rhino poaching and to ensure that those who commit these crimes are brought to justice," Mabunda said.

Thakhuli said Friday night's shootings followed the arrest of two suspected poachers earlier in the week.

"These arrests brought to 50 the number of suspected poachers arrested in the Kruger National Park so far this year."

SANParks spokesman Paul Daphne said: "While the increasing number of suspected poachers being arrested in the Kruger Park may reflect the increasing numbers engaging in rhino poaching, it also indicates that the measures that SANParks has put in place are making an impact."

Daphne said in 2012 they were arresting six suspected poachers a month, while in the first four months of this year the rate of arrests had climbed to almost 12 per month.

"The doubling of the rate of arrests is an indication of our on-going commitment to do all that it takes to bring these criminals to book."

Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za/scitech/2013 ... d-poachers

**EDIT**: source not mentioned