Africa Geographic Stories
Natalia Gaal & photographer Samuel Cox
Friday, 12 October 2018
Counter Poaching Efforts
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Lisbeth
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
EXPERIENCING A RHINO DEHORNING FIRSTHAND
Africa Geographic Stories
Natalia Gaal & photographer Samuel Cox
Friday, 12 October 2018
Africa Geographic Stories
Natalia Gaal & photographer Samuel Cox
Friday, 12 October 2018
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Richprins
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
Every swipe counts: KNP welcomes new aircraft
Aircraft have become irreplaceable assets enabling quick response and support to poaching incidents.
7 hours ago
Mariana Balt
Steven Whitfield, the pilot responsible for piloting the new aircraft and project.
SATARA – A brand-new Foxbat A22LS aircraft arrived in the Kruger National Park (KNP) this week to help in the war on rhino poaching.
The decentralised aerial capacity which the new Foxbat provides is pivotal in this struggle, said the pilot responsible for piloting the new aircraft and project, Marula North regional ranger Steven Whitfield.
The cost-effective Foxbat will play an essential role in monitoring rhinos, identifying and responding to threats, and ensure that Kruger’s anti-poaching unit is better equipped when it comes to combating increasingly sophisticated gangs of rhino poachers.
“Aircraft have become irreplaceable assets enabling quick response and support to poaching incidents,” he said.
“We can be more successful with the deployment of aircraft piloted by rangers over the vastness of Kruger. They are vital for combating poaching on many levels, improving monitoring, identifying high-risk areas, patrolling remote areas inaccessible by vehicle and foot, and enhancing our rapid detection and response capabilities as poaching trends shift.”
The aircraft was donated by the MyPlanet Rhino Fund and financed by 34 000 supporters swiping their MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet cards at participating retailers. The fund has announced this donation after R2,8 million was raised over the past year.
Since last year, the MyPlanet Rhino Fund, which is administered by the Endangered Wildlife Trust, has donated more than R3,5 million to nine different non-profit organisations engaged in rhino conservation.
More than R1,4 million was allocated to SANParks and specifically the KNP enabling them to buy the light aircraft.
The Foxbat will be based at Satara, in a newly built hangar that was jointly funded between MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and StopRhinoPoaching.com.
“This will greatly enhance the air wing capability in this region of the KNP,” said Elise Serfontein, founding director of StopRhinoPoaching.com. “The construction demonstrates what can be achieved with the collaborative effort of organisations working together.”
Conservationist and MyPlanet Rhino Fund ambassador Braam Malherbe was also present at the handover ceremony.
“It is incredible for citizen-driven fund-raising to result in the much-needed donation of a state-of-the-art aircraft,” he said.
“This is the proof that each person’s seemingly small contribution to conservation can result in a big impact. I am proud to see how my partnership with MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet makes a real difference, not only as an ambassador, but as an individual shopper. I encourage many more South African shoppers to join us.”
This was echoed by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet general manager, Pieter Twine. “Supporters of the MyPlanet Rhino Fund can feel very proud of themselves. For 21 years we have been raising funds for schools and charities, and over the past seven years South African shoppers have stood up for rhinos as a national icon. Their support is phenomenal, and an inspiration to others who also want to play a part in protecting these fantastic animals which are an integral part of our national heritage.”
The MyPlanet Rhino Fund has also made donations of over R500 000 each to the rhino conservation initiatives of Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape and the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust in the North-West. Balule Nature Reserve in Limpopo has received R371 400 in support of its K9 anti-poaching and community outreach initiatives.
Education and the development of future conservation leaders are other important elements in sustaining the country’s efforts to protect rhinos. This year, the MyPlanet Rhino Fund is continuing its support of the Lapalala Wilderness School and Rhino Revolution’s Green Kidz programmes which raise awareness and involve the youth from vulnerable communities in rhino conservation education. Effective rhino conservation also demands the optimal use of data, and the remaining 2018 funds have been allocated to Endangered Wildlife Trust and Southern African Wildlife College projects that are focused on improving data analysis and developing a software tool to facilitate greater information sharing, gathering and reporting.
Any person can sign up for a free MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card and make MyPlanet Rhino Fund a beneficiary. Every time the card is swiped at the till point of a participating retailer, they make a donation on the customer’s behalf, at no cost to the customer.
Go to www.myschool.co.za or visit your app store to download the free mobile app and sign up for your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card, choose the MyPlanet Rhino Fund as the cause you wish to support and raise funds to protect rhinos.
https://lowvelder.co.za/455508/every-sw ... -aircraft/
Aircraft have become irreplaceable assets enabling quick response and support to poaching incidents.
7 hours ago
Mariana Balt
Steven Whitfield, the pilot responsible for piloting the new aircraft and project.
SATARA – A brand-new Foxbat A22LS aircraft arrived in the Kruger National Park (KNP) this week to help in the war on rhino poaching.
The decentralised aerial capacity which the new Foxbat provides is pivotal in this struggle, said the pilot responsible for piloting the new aircraft and project, Marula North regional ranger Steven Whitfield.
The cost-effective Foxbat will play an essential role in monitoring rhinos, identifying and responding to threats, and ensure that Kruger’s anti-poaching unit is better equipped when it comes to combating increasingly sophisticated gangs of rhino poachers.
“Aircraft have become irreplaceable assets enabling quick response and support to poaching incidents,” he said.
“We can be more successful with the deployment of aircraft piloted by rangers over the vastness of Kruger. They are vital for combating poaching on many levels, improving monitoring, identifying high-risk areas, patrolling remote areas inaccessible by vehicle and foot, and enhancing our rapid detection and response capabilities as poaching trends shift.”
The aircraft was donated by the MyPlanet Rhino Fund and financed by 34 000 supporters swiping their MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet cards at participating retailers. The fund has announced this donation after R2,8 million was raised over the past year.
Since last year, the MyPlanet Rhino Fund, which is administered by the Endangered Wildlife Trust, has donated more than R3,5 million to nine different non-profit organisations engaged in rhino conservation.
More than R1,4 million was allocated to SANParks and specifically the KNP enabling them to buy the light aircraft.
The Foxbat will be based at Satara, in a newly built hangar that was jointly funded between MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and StopRhinoPoaching.com.
“This will greatly enhance the air wing capability in this region of the KNP,” said Elise Serfontein, founding director of StopRhinoPoaching.com. “The construction demonstrates what can be achieved with the collaborative effort of organisations working together.”
Conservationist and MyPlanet Rhino Fund ambassador Braam Malherbe was also present at the handover ceremony.
“It is incredible for citizen-driven fund-raising to result in the much-needed donation of a state-of-the-art aircraft,” he said.
“This is the proof that each person’s seemingly small contribution to conservation can result in a big impact. I am proud to see how my partnership with MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet makes a real difference, not only as an ambassador, but as an individual shopper. I encourage many more South African shoppers to join us.”
This was echoed by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet general manager, Pieter Twine. “Supporters of the MyPlanet Rhino Fund can feel very proud of themselves. For 21 years we have been raising funds for schools and charities, and over the past seven years South African shoppers have stood up for rhinos as a national icon. Their support is phenomenal, and an inspiration to others who also want to play a part in protecting these fantastic animals which are an integral part of our national heritage.”
The MyPlanet Rhino Fund has also made donations of over R500 000 each to the rhino conservation initiatives of Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape and the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust in the North-West. Balule Nature Reserve in Limpopo has received R371 400 in support of its K9 anti-poaching and community outreach initiatives.
Education and the development of future conservation leaders are other important elements in sustaining the country’s efforts to protect rhinos. This year, the MyPlanet Rhino Fund is continuing its support of the Lapalala Wilderness School and Rhino Revolution’s Green Kidz programmes which raise awareness and involve the youth from vulnerable communities in rhino conservation education. Effective rhino conservation also demands the optimal use of data, and the remaining 2018 funds have been allocated to Endangered Wildlife Trust and Southern African Wildlife College projects that are focused on improving data analysis and developing a software tool to facilitate greater information sharing, gathering and reporting.
Any person can sign up for a free MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card and make MyPlanet Rhino Fund a beneficiary. Every time the card is swiped at the till point of a participating retailer, they make a donation on the customer’s behalf, at no cost to the customer.
Go to www.myschool.co.za or visit your app store to download the free mobile app and sign up for your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card, choose the MyPlanet Rhino Fund as the cause you wish to support and raise funds to protect rhinos.
https://lowvelder.co.za/455508/every-sw ... -aircraft/
Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
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Richprins
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
Kevin Pietersen and Mark Boucher give SANParks R3 million for anti-poaching
The donation was made by the Legacy Experience, a project spearheaded by the international cricketers.
18 hours ago
SKUKUZA – SANParks has received a R3 million donation from the Legacy Experience.
The money is meant for the air wing based at Skukuza Airport, which is an integral part of the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) anti-poaching operations, SANParks said in a statement on Friday.
“We are happy to hand over this much-needed donation and we are confident it will be used for its purpose, because it is for a good cause,” said Pietersen at the handover.
“We have met and interacted with the Rangers Corps, including the pilots. We are extremely proud to be able to assist. This is the beginning of something big.”
Managing executive of the KNP, Glenn Phillips, thanked the donors.
“We are very grateful for the donation. It will go a long way to helping us to protect our natural heritage. We have always said (that) partnerships will help us to get on top of this challenge. We are happy the Legacy Experience listened and obliged.”
https://lowvelder.co.za/456732/kevin-pi ... -poaching/
The donation was made by the Legacy Experience, a project spearheaded by the international cricketers.
18 hours ago
SKUKUZA – SANParks has received a R3 million donation from the Legacy Experience.
The money is meant for the air wing based at Skukuza Airport, which is an integral part of the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) anti-poaching operations, SANParks said in a statement on Friday.
“We are happy to hand over this much-needed donation and we are confident it will be used for its purpose, because it is for a good cause,” said Pietersen at the handover.
“We have met and interacted with the Rangers Corps, including the pilots. We are extremely proud to be able to assist. This is the beginning of something big.”
Managing executive of the KNP, Glenn Phillips, thanked the donors.
“We are very grateful for the donation. It will go a long way to helping us to protect our natural heritage. We have always said (that) partnerships will help us to get on top of this challenge. We are happy the Legacy Experience listened and obliged.”
https://lowvelder.co.za/456732/kevin-pi ... -poaching/
Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
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Lisbeth
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
Lots of money is being donated all the time. I hope that it is spent wisely 
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Lisbeth
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
Explorer Kingsley Holgate sets off on Rhino expedition to Nepal
Durban - Explorer Kingsley Holgate’s latest expedition Cape Town to Kathmandu has a special rhino conservation focus and is carrying messages of solidarity against rhino poaching from South African children to the Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
The expedition, a youth-focussed rhino conservation project between the two countries, sets off on World Rhino day and will return to South Africa with reciprocal messages of support from Nepalese children.
Like Africa, Asia’s rhino populations have also been decimated by poaching, driven mainly by demand for rhino horn from China and Vietnam. Today, less than 2 000 greater one-horned rhinos remain in the wild, with only two populations containing more than 100 rhinos: Kaziranga National Park in India and Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
“Chitwan National Park, despite being on the border with China, is a rhino conservation success story,” said Holgate. “Tens of thousands of greater one-horned rhinoceros once roamed throughout South East Asia, but the population was reduced by poaching and human population explosion to only a few surviving pockets.
“Nepal’s rhino population reached a low of just 100 in the 1960s but today, Chitwan is home to a growing population of 600 greater one-horned rhino, thanks to political will, support from the King of Nepal and commitment from neighbouring communities.”
Holgate is a keen conservationist and founder of the award-winning Rhino Art youth education campaign, which in partnership with Project Rhino, has now reached over 500 000 school children in the past five years. Children living in communities bordering game reserves receive a fun-filled, rhino conservation lesson and are encouraged to create their own rhino art messages. The programme also assists game reserves to build good relations with neighbouring communities and generates awareness of the real threat rhino poaching poses to tourism and rural job creation.
Using a Rhino Art template that contains both the South African and Nepalese flags and images of both African and Asian rhino species, the Cape Town to Kathmandu expedition visited schools in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, conducting educational Rhino Art events and soccer matches.
“We were amazed at the response,” said conservationist Sheelagh Antrobus, who heads up the expedition’s community conservation work. “The children not only created amazing rhino-themed art pieces but also wrote heartfelt messages of solidarity to their counterparts in Nepal.”
Hundreds of Rhino Art messages from South African children are now stored in the expedition’s three Land Rovers and are en route to Nepal. These will be handed over to Nepalese conservation officials and children living in communities bordering Chitwan National Park, before the team head to Kathmandu for the expedition’s finale in mid-December.
Durban - Explorer Kingsley Holgate’s latest expedition Cape Town to Kathmandu has a special rhino conservation focus and is carrying messages of solidarity against rhino poaching from South African children to the Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
The expedition, a youth-focussed rhino conservation project between the two countries, sets off on World Rhino day and will return to South Africa with reciprocal messages of support from Nepalese children.
Like Africa, Asia’s rhino populations have also been decimated by poaching, driven mainly by demand for rhino horn from China and Vietnam. Today, less than 2 000 greater one-horned rhinos remain in the wild, with only two populations containing more than 100 rhinos: Kaziranga National Park in India and Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
“Chitwan National Park, despite being on the border with China, is a rhino conservation success story,” said Holgate. “Tens of thousands of greater one-horned rhinoceros once roamed throughout South East Asia, but the population was reduced by poaching and human population explosion to only a few surviving pockets.
“Nepal’s rhino population reached a low of just 100 in the 1960s but today, Chitwan is home to a growing population of 600 greater one-horned rhino, thanks to political will, support from the King of Nepal and commitment from neighbouring communities.”
Holgate is a keen conservationist and founder of the award-winning Rhino Art youth education campaign, which in partnership with Project Rhino, has now reached over 500 000 school children in the past five years. Children living in communities bordering game reserves receive a fun-filled, rhino conservation lesson and are encouraged to create their own rhino art messages. The programme also assists game reserves to build good relations with neighbouring communities and generates awareness of the real threat rhino poaching poses to tourism and rural job creation.
Using a Rhino Art template that contains both the South African and Nepalese flags and images of both African and Asian rhino species, the Cape Town to Kathmandu expedition visited schools in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, conducting educational Rhino Art events and soccer matches.
“We were amazed at the response,” said conservationist Sheelagh Antrobus, who heads up the expedition’s community conservation work. “The children not only created amazing rhino-themed art pieces but also wrote heartfelt messages of solidarity to their counterparts in Nepal.”
Hundreds of Rhino Art messages from South African children are now stored in the expedition’s three Land Rovers and are en route to Nepal. These will be handed over to Nepalese conservation officials and children living in communities bordering Chitwan National Park, before the team head to Kathmandu for the expedition’s finale in mid-December.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Lisbeth
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
WATCH: Anti-poaching technology to expand globally in bid to save wildlife
2019-04-16 09:00
Anti-poaching technology to expand globally in bid to save wildlife
Technology that has dramatically reduced rhino poaching in a South African game reserve could be used to help other threatened species across the world, as conservationists look for new ways to stop poachers before they can reach wildlife.
Click on the title to see the video!
2019-04-16 09:00
Anti-poaching technology to expand globally in bid to save wildlife
Technology that has dramatically reduced rhino poaching in a South African game reserve could be used to help other threatened species across the world, as conservationists look for new ways to stop poachers before they can reach wildlife.
Click on the title to see the video!
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Klipspringer
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-time ... -poaching/
Changing the game in the fight against poaching
Postcode Meerkat system withstands extreme temperatures, thick vegetation and challenging terrain
26 April 2019 - 09:53
BY LYNETTE DICEY
The rhino poaching crisis, which began in 2008, has threatened the species with extinction. Around 80% of the world’s rhinos can be found in SA. At the height of the crisis, between 2013 and 2017, more than 1,000 rhinos a year were being killed by poachers. A slight decline was recorded in 2018 with 769 rhinos killed by poachers, a decline of 259 compared to 2017 when 1,028 were killed.
The cumulative impact of the crisis, says the Save the Rhino Fund, is taking its toll on rhino populations around the country, with the situation worsened by drought, which in turn affects food and water resources.
Most rhino poaching takes place in the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Protecting the species in the vast 19,485km² protected habitat, however, has proved challenging.
In late 2016 a wide-area surveillance system, dubbed Postcode Meerkat and designed in partnership with SA National Parks (SANParks), Peace Parks Foundation and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was introduced in the Kruger National Park to assist the efforts of the Rhino Protection Programme.
The system collects vital surveillance data and information and combines the detection localisation and tracking capabilities of radar with the visual target classification abilities of an electro-optical system, providing both day and night surveillance capabilities. Innovatively designed to overcome the challenges that cause traditional surveillance equipment to fail in the African bush environment, the system withstands extreme temperatures, thick vegetation and challenging terrain.
The combination of radar and electro-optical technology allows the system to detect movement and distinguish between human and animal movement over large distances.
Postcode Meerkat —which takes its name from the People’s Postcode Lottery of the UK and the Dutch Postcode Lottery, who supported the research, development and deployment of the system — has made a significant impact on anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park, successfully reducing poaching incidents by 80% and contributing significantly to the effectiveness of anti-poaching teams.
Early detection of potential criminal poachers means that rangers, anti-poaching units and helicopters can be rapidly deployed to maximum effect.
The Postcode Meerkat system was commissioned and developed in less than a year and deployed to high-risk areas, defined as areas favoured by black and white rhino.
In addition to providing early warning and detection services, the system also allows poachers to be tracked, allowing anti-poaching units to apprehend them before any animals are killed.
Apart from increasing the Kruger National Park’s ability to protect rhino, Postcode Meerkat will also help the park protect other vulnerable species.
Since the system was first deployed, the CSIR team, which is providing ongoing technical and administrative support to the Kruger National Park, has refined and advanced the technology even further. During 2018, additional sensor systems were deployed, which has increased the area under surveillance.
The Postcode Meerkat team members were awarded the Innovation award at the 2018 Kudu Awards for their contribution. The Kudu Awards recognise individuals and organisations that make a significant contribution to SANParks’ operations and effectiveness.
Changing the game in the fight against poaching
Postcode Meerkat system withstands extreme temperatures, thick vegetation and challenging terrain
26 April 2019 - 09:53
BY LYNETTE DICEY
The rhino poaching crisis, which began in 2008, has threatened the species with extinction. Around 80% of the world’s rhinos can be found in SA. At the height of the crisis, between 2013 and 2017, more than 1,000 rhinos a year were being killed by poachers. A slight decline was recorded in 2018 with 769 rhinos killed by poachers, a decline of 259 compared to 2017 when 1,028 were killed.
The cumulative impact of the crisis, says the Save the Rhino Fund, is taking its toll on rhino populations around the country, with the situation worsened by drought, which in turn affects food and water resources.
Most rhino poaching takes place in the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Protecting the species in the vast 19,485km² protected habitat, however, has proved challenging.
In late 2016 a wide-area surveillance system, dubbed Postcode Meerkat and designed in partnership with SA National Parks (SANParks), Peace Parks Foundation and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was introduced in the Kruger National Park to assist the efforts of the Rhino Protection Programme.
The system collects vital surveillance data and information and combines the detection localisation and tracking capabilities of radar with the visual target classification abilities of an electro-optical system, providing both day and night surveillance capabilities. Innovatively designed to overcome the challenges that cause traditional surveillance equipment to fail in the African bush environment, the system withstands extreme temperatures, thick vegetation and challenging terrain.
The combination of radar and electro-optical technology allows the system to detect movement and distinguish between human and animal movement over large distances.
Postcode Meerkat —which takes its name from the People’s Postcode Lottery of the UK and the Dutch Postcode Lottery, who supported the research, development and deployment of the system — has made a significant impact on anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park, successfully reducing poaching incidents by 80% and contributing significantly to the effectiveness of anti-poaching teams.
Early detection of potential criminal poachers means that rangers, anti-poaching units and helicopters can be rapidly deployed to maximum effect.
The Postcode Meerkat system was commissioned and developed in less than a year and deployed to high-risk areas, defined as areas favoured by black and white rhino.
In addition to providing early warning and detection services, the system also allows poachers to be tracked, allowing anti-poaching units to apprehend them before any animals are killed.
Apart from increasing the Kruger National Park’s ability to protect rhino, Postcode Meerkat will also help the park protect other vulnerable species.
Since the system was first deployed, the CSIR team, which is providing ongoing technical and administrative support to the Kruger National Park, has refined and advanced the technology even further. During 2018, additional sensor systems were deployed, which has increased the area under surveillance.
The Postcode Meerkat team members were awarded the Innovation award at the 2018 Kudu Awards for their contribution. The Kudu Awards recognise individuals and organisations that make a significant contribution to SANParks’ operations and effectiveness.
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Lisbeth
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
Lets hope that it can also help getting less rhinos slaughtered this year.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Flutterby
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
NEW ZEALAND SURFER TAKES ON THE RHINO MAFIA
By Andrew van Ginkel
This far fetched title is purposefully written to illustrate a point.
An article published on the website stuff.co.nz explains why SsangYong in New Zealand selected Jamie Joseph, the director of the organisation Saving the Wild, to be their brand ambassador for their ute (bakkie).
The article paints an impressive picture of Jamie Joseph. Did Damien O’Caroll, the author, use information supplied by Jamie Joseph or did he actually conduct any meaningful research?
He cites the following reasons which underline Ssang Yong NZ reasons for choosing Jamie as their brand ambassador:
“A traditional brand ambassador-type might be involved in raising money to tackle the issue of poaching, or simply raising the profile of the problem. But when you watch the video of Joseph on an anti-poaching assignment, taking the poachers on directly and helping the badly wounded animals they leave behind, you realise she is somewhat more hands-on than that.”
This information is factually inaccurate and is a vast exaggeration at best. Jamie Joseph is not a trained anti-poaching expert. She does not take on any rhinos poachers herself. In reality, Joseph writes a blog using privileged information she is given or pays for, by section Rangers or APU members or policemen working in various Game reserves in South Africa.
Joseph is also not a qualified veterinary nurse or vet, she was filmed watching people assisting injured animals.
When describing the achievements of Saving the Wild, Damien O’Caroll states the following:
“That was five years ago and, since then, Saving the Wild has had a considerable impact on the rhino poaching criminal underworld, and the corrupt officials who profit from it.”
When one reads the above description of the achievements of Saving the Wild one gets the impression that the organisation has achieved huge successes when it comes to taking on the “rhino poaching criminal underworld”, but is this based on hard evidence or is it simply their long term objective?
Joseph started her “career” by writing stories for her blog describing her experiences when visiting various wildlife organisations in Africa.
In 2016 she started focusing on specific individuals in her blogs, who had already been mentioned in the media. She dramatically exaggerated her role in the first person: “taking on the kingpins”. For the record her main focus was until recently is on one alleged kingpin who has yet to be convicted.
Joseph has no formal role and is not part of the South African criminal justice system. She is simply an observer. She has hired a lawyer to assist her with her observations.
She has no influence on the South African legal process whatsoever.
Joseph has also claimed that she is single-handedly tackling elephant poaching kingpins in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The author of the Ssang Yong article also says the following about the impact on Jamie’s personal safety whilst “taking on” these “kingpins”:
“She has been the target of death threats, constantly changes her phone number, and leads an isolated life when back in South Africa.”
This is unsubstantiated information we would ask that Ssang Yong provide the South African authorities with proof of such wild allegations.
Joseph is hardly living an isolated life and is always in the public eye drawing as much attention to herself as possible, especially when she attends court cases.
Thanks to the generous donation from Ssang Yong she is now highly visible in a one-of-a-kind, heavily branded vehicle. She could not be more conspicuous if she tried. Or does she, in fact, remove her customised decal advertising before driving between KZN and the KNP or the nightclub in Johannesburg?
The article also features a link to a video. In the video Joseph’s claims that she “takes on the rhino mafia and pursues high-level targets”.
Furthermore, she also says she is working with the police to set up sting operations and implies that she is actively involved in these sting operations by saying “then we take them down”.
More specifically the author of the article includes the following two statements made by Joseph when he interviewed her:
"Back in June last year we spent six months infiltrating the most powerful poaching syndicate run by an alleged kingpin known as ‘Mr Big’. At the time I was driving a beat up old car that kept breaking down.”
"Two days before the operation the car broke down again and if we had been transporting our informer, who was selling the rhino horn to the kingpin in the company of an undercover cop, we would have lost everything, including the $40,000 we had spent getting to that point."
From those two statements, one gets the impression that Joseph is working with the police doing undercover work.
How did a blogger observing a trial become involved in undercover police operations? Well, we know that she hired an ex-policemen who was the investigator on one of the cases she is “observing” as she mentions this on numerous occasions from 2017.
Joseph may be a police informer at best but she is not trained to work in the South African Police Service.
In the video attached to the article, Jamie mentions that “the three kingpins had been arrested” and that they (Saving the Wild) was going to court to see them get convicted and by doing so “make history for the first time”.
This information might impress the uninformed in New Zealand, but in South Africa, we know for a fact that Saving The Wild and Jamie Joseph was not personally involved in any arrests of any alleged rhino poachers.
And if there are any successful convictions in any of the three matters that Joseph claims to be “involved with” then these convictions will be the achievement of the South African justice system which Joseph has slated as being corrupt since 2016.
Please Note: Some of the video material used in the promotional video has been used illegally. Joseph and Ssang Yong are aware of this.
NOTE: SsangYong have been in contact with me regarding the issue and this post is not in any way trying to discredit their brand and I thank them for their professionalism with the way they have been more than willing to communicate with me and address any concerns I might have regarding the above information.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/…/how-the-rhino ... g-save-the…
By Andrew van Ginkel
This far fetched title is purposefully written to illustrate a point.
An article published on the website stuff.co.nz explains why SsangYong in New Zealand selected Jamie Joseph, the director of the organisation Saving the Wild, to be their brand ambassador for their ute (bakkie).
The article paints an impressive picture of Jamie Joseph. Did Damien O’Caroll, the author, use information supplied by Jamie Joseph or did he actually conduct any meaningful research?
He cites the following reasons which underline Ssang Yong NZ reasons for choosing Jamie as their brand ambassador:
“A traditional brand ambassador-type might be involved in raising money to tackle the issue of poaching, or simply raising the profile of the problem. But when you watch the video of Joseph on an anti-poaching assignment, taking the poachers on directly and helping the badly wounded animals they leave behind, you realise she is somewhat more hands-on than that.”
This information is factually inaccurate and is a vast exaggeration at best. Jamie Joseph is not a trained anti-poaching expert. She does not take on any rhinos poachers herself. In reality, Joseph writes a blog using privileged information she is given or pays for, by section Rangers or APU members or policemen working in various Game reserves in South Africa.
Joseph is also not a qualified veterinary nurse or vet, she was filmed watching people assisting injured animals.
When describing the achievements of Saving the Wild, Damien O’Caroll states the following:
“That was five years ago and, since then, Saving the Wild has had a considerable impact on the rhino poaching criminal underworld, and the corrupt officials who profit from it.”
When one reads the above description of the achievements of Saving the Wild one gets the impression that the organisation has achieved huge successes when it comes to taking on the “rhino poaching criminal underworld”, but is this based on hard evidence or is it simply their long term objective?
Joseph started her “career” by writing stories for her blog describing her experiences when visiting various wildlife organisations in Africa.
In 2016 she started focusing on specific individuals in her blogs, who had already been mentioned in the media. She dramatically exaggerated her role in the first person: “taking on the kingpins”. For the record her main focus was until recently is on one alleged kingpin who has yet to be convicted.
Joseph has no formal role and is not part of the South African criminal justice system. She is simply an observer. She has hired a lawyer to assist her with her observations.
She has no influence on the South African legal process whatsoever.
Joseph has also claimed that she is single-handedly tackling elephant poaching kingpins in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The author of the Ssang Yong article also says the following about the impact on Jamie’s personal safety whilst “taking on” these “kingpins”:
“She has been the target of death threats, constantly changes her phone number, and leads an isolated life when back in South Africa.”
This is unsubstantiated information we would ask that Ssang Yong provide the South African authorities with proof of such wild allegations.
Joseph is hardly living an isolated life and is always in the public eye drawing as much attention to herself as possible, especially when she attends court cases.
Thanks to the generous donation from Ssang Yong she is now highly visible in a one-of-a-kind, heavily branded vehicle. She could not be more conspicuous if she tried. Or does she, in fact, remove her customised decal advertising before driving between KZN and the KNP or the nightclub in Johannesburg?
The article also features a link to a video. In the video Joseph’s claims that she “takes on the rhino mafia and pursues high-level targets”.
Furthermore, she also says she is working with the police to set up sting operations and implies that she is actively involved in these sting operations by saying “then we take them down”.
More specifically the author of the article includes the following two statements made by Joseph when he interviewed her:
"Back in June last year we spent six months infiltrating the most powerful poaching syndicate run by an alleged kingpin known as ‘Mr Big’. At the time I was driving a beat up old car that kept breaking down.”
"Two days before the operation the car broke down again and if we had been transporting our informer, who was selling the rhino horn to the kingpin in the company of an undercover cop, we would have lost everything, including the $40,000 we had spent getting to that point."
From those two statements, one gets the impression that Joseph is working with the police doing undercover work.
How did a blogger observing a trial become involved in undercover police operations? Well, we know that she hired an ex-policemen who was the investigator on one of the cases she is “observing” as she mentions this on numerous occasions from 2017.
Joseph may be a police informer at best but she is not trained to work in the South African Police Service.
In the video attached to the article, Jamie mentions that “the three kingpins had been arrested” and that they (Saving the Wild) was going to court to see them get convicted and by doing so “make history for the first time”.
This information might impress the uninformed in New Zealand, but in South Africa, we know for a fact that Saving The Wild and Jamie Joseph was not personally involved in any arrests of any alleged rhino poachers.
And if there are any successful convictions in any of the three matters that Joseph claims to be “involved with” then these convictions will be the achievement of the South African justice system which Joseph has slated as being corrupt since 2016.
Please Note: Some of the video material used in the promotional video has been used illegally. Joseph and Ssang Yong are aware of this.
NOTE: SsangYong have been in contact with me regarding the issue and this post is not in any way trying to discredit their brand and I thank them for their professionalism with the way they have been more than willing to communicate with me and address any concerns I might have regarding the above information.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/…/how-the-rhino ... g-save-the…
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Re: Counter Poaching Efforts
Saving the Wild
Non-profit organisation
12 hrs ·
#BloodRhinoBlacklist - Following on from the previous post today: Statement regarding attempted smear campaign by Andrew van Ginkel
Jamie Joseph writes… I am currently in the wild dealing with serious rhino poaching issues, and I was hoping to post a video message, but the wifi here is not strong enough to upload the 8 minute video. In the meantime, below is the 6 April summary of an email I sent to smear campaigner Andrew van Ginkel, the man who has been obsessively stalking me online for far too long now.
I drew the line recently when he started harassing and attacking people and organisations in the Saving the Wild network.
**********************************************
Andrew van Ginkel, where is the courage for your convictions when you hide behind a computer and many Facebook profiles (friends) and many online “charity” pages and a “wildlife” blah blah blah troll account?
Andrew van Ginkel, my offer stands. You want to take me on because you think you know so much…stop hiding behind your computer and MEET ME FACE TO FACE. You bring your evidence and I'll bring mine.
As soon as this bush assignment is complete I will be meeting with our lawyer and the police. Your window is closing fast, and my patience has run out…
**********************************************
To our followers, be warned. It appears this smear campaigner has three main objectives.
1. Spread malicious lies and try to discredit Saving the Wild.
2. Try to convince anyone who will listen that the alleged rhino poaching kingpin of Zululand, Dumisani Gwala is not dangerous - and yet he was arrested for attempted murder of a police officer and is currently on trial for this - FACT!
3. Try to convince anyone who will listen that these justice officials we exposed are innocent and it’s all just a fundraising trick - He ignores the FACT that both South Africa’s Ministry of Justice and Parliament suspended the KZN Court President for serious allegations of corruption in his courts.
Email sent 6 April 2019……..
Hi Andrew
I hope this email finds you well.
I have no idea who you are or why you are so sure I am up to shady things or "under investigation", but I would like to offer you the opportunity to expand your view. This is an invitation to you and your circle of friends who are out there going on and on like I did something wrong, but no one can ever say what it is I did. It's all bizarre. And to be honest, I find it fascinating human behaviour and I am curious to understand the angst.
Let's set up a meeting. Me, you and your friends who are part of this click spreading rumours (and hurting the rhino crisis in the process), and I am inviting you ALL to ask me ANY question you want, and I will be glad to answer your questions. I am just not going to do this social media thing. It's so poisonous and not effective at all in long form communications and coming to a resolution.
Kind regards,
Jamie
*** VAN GINKEL NEVER RESPONDED TO MY EMAIL AND CONTINUES TO SPREAD MALICIOUS LIES ***
#StopRhinoKingpins #smearcampaigner #fanatics #trolling
Non-profit organisation
12 hrs ·
#BloodRhinoBlacklist - Following on from the previous post today: Statement regarding attempted smear campaign by Andrew van Ginkel
Jamie Joseph writes… I am currently in the wild dealing with serious rhino poaching issues, and I was hoping to post a video message, but the wifi here is not strong enough to upload the 8 minute video. In the meantime, below is the 6 April summary of an email I sent to smear campaigner Andrew van Ginkel, the man who has been obsessively stalking me online for far too long now.
I drew the line recently when he started harassing and attacking people and organisations in the Saving the Wild network.
**********************************************
Andrew van Ginkel, where is the courage for your convictions when you hide behind a computer and many Facebook profiles (friends) and many online “charity” pages and a “wildlife” blah blah blah troll account?
Andrew van Ginkel, my offer stands. You want to take me on because you think you know so much…stop hiding behind your computer and MEET ME FACE TO FACE. You bring your evidence and I'll bring mine.
As soon as this bush assignment is complete I will be meeting with our lawyer and the police. Your window is closing fast, and my patience has run out…
**********************************************
To our followers, be warned. It appears this smear campaigner has three main objectives.
1. Spread malicious lies and try to discredit Saving the Wild.
2. Try to convince anyone who will listen that the alleged rhino poaching kingpin of Zululand, Dumisani Gwala is not dangerous - and yet he was arrested for attempted murder of a police officer and is currently on trial for this - FACT!
3. Try to convince anyone who will listen that these justice officials we exposed are innocent and it’s all just a fundraising trick - He ignores the FACT that both South Africa’s Ministry of Justice and Parliament suspended the KZN Court President for serious allegations of corruption in his courts.
Email sent 6 April 2019……..
Hi Andrew
I hope this email finds you well.
I have no idea who you are or why you are so sure I am up to shady things or "under investigation", but I would like to offer you the opportunity to expand your view. This is an invitation to you and your circle of friends who are out there going on and on like I did something wrong, but no one can ever say what it is I did. It's all bizarre. And to be honest, I find it fascinating human behaviour and I am curious to understand the angst.
Let's set up a meeting. Me, you and your friends who are part of this click spreading rumours (and hurting the rhino crisis in the process), and I am inviting you ALL to ask me ANY question you want, and I will be glad to answer your questions. I am just not going to do this social media thing. It's so poisonous and not effective at all in long form communications and coming to a resolution.
Kind regards,
Jamie
*** VAN GINKEL NEVER RESPONDED TO MY EMAIL AND CONTINUES TO SPREAD MALICIOUS LIES ***
#StopRhinoKingpins #smearcampaigner #fanatics #trolling