Rhino Poaching 2014

[okie]

Wynand , I am not retracting what I said , because I can only change my opinion after being shown positively proven wrong .
In 2007/2008 , the rhino “ ore “ was punted by Sanparks as being the last one north of Letaba , and I stand by what I said in that respect .

On the other hand , reading this report : Anthropogenic Influences on Conservation Values of White Rhinoceros

Sam M. Ferreira ,

Judith M. Botha,

Megan C. Emmett

Published: September 27, 2012
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045989

it is stated that as at 2010 more than 90 % of white rhino’s occurred south of Olifants river . Since 1998 , distribution in KNP has spread out by slightly more than 1 % per annum , so that by 2010 they were present over 77 % of the total area .

You are missing my point in your last paragraph . I do not imply the task to be less than what it really is . What I am saying is , not to be defeatist .
In a fight like this , the task should never be made to seem bigger than the effort that you are prepared to put into it.

[okie]

Hey guys , this is a lovely , lively discussion , and so many good points being made
Please continue

[wynand]

A rather sad thought occurred to me: When we're down to the last few rhino, our cost to protect them will become affordable (per unit) and we'll probably avoid their extinction. But, they will be confined to high security enclosures and will only be seen by their guards. Then they may as well be extinct.

Here I disagree, at least they will still be able to breed. Lets just hope that it never gets to this scenario.

Sorry, I didn't put that across clearly. Yes, they will survive and breed in high security enclosures, but for you and I and our children they might as well then be exctinct. No more "nimble young tank" cantering across the plains, as Douglas Adams put it.

[wynand]

Okie. Yes, lets not be defeatist.
But if you don't retract that cheap shot I will cry in my tea.

[Flutterby]

Hey guys , this is a lovely , lively discussion , and so many good points being made
Please continue

Agreed....nice to have a place where everyone can put across their points of view.

[wynand]

Wynand , I am not retracting what I said , because I can only change my opinion after being shown positively proven wrong .

My word. but you are stubborn!

Do you want to inform some burly gentlemen whom I know, that their efforts in the North of the Park over Christmas and New Year have been misdirected? I don't think they will be amused.

I don't know how to do "..show(n) positively proven wrong".
But Okie, I assure you: Rhino are being poached and counter insurgency forces are deployed in the North. Big time.

In case you didn't see it the first time : http://www.scielo.org.za/img/revistas/j ... 9fig01.jpg

[RobertT]

Do you want to inform some burly gentlemen whom I know, that their efforts in the North of the Park over Christmas and New Year have been misdirected? I don't think they will be amused.

Yes, please go tell him and tell he we are not scared of him, let me give you Okie's address for him. It is 15 Mohammeds Way, Stubborn Creek, Worcester.

[Flutterby]

[okie]

Wynand - yeaahhh I am very stubborn when it comes to such things .
To get my point across let me ask a question :
" Do you think the job is too big ? "
" Do you think you are fighting a useless battle ? "
" Do you think the area is to wide ?"

Because if you say the job is too big , then you should not be there .
And if you say you are fighting a useless battle , then you should not be there .

I do not care whatever your gentleman thinks , and I do not care whoever he is .
My question is really , whether he is up to the task in hand ?
Because if he is not up to the task , then he should not be there !

A general assesses the task and assigns the resources . And if his resources are not enough , then either he must find it , procure it , and/or motivate his army sufficiently to ensure victory .

And , IMHO , it appears that either resources are falling far , far behind , or it is not being utilised sufficiently .
We trust that the " army in this case " , in itself is sufficiently motivated

In this battle , defeat is not an option , in the same way that Dr Ian Player has said " Extintion of rhino's is not an option ".

BTW , please do not take this personally

[wynand]

"Gentlemen", not a gentleman.

I don't take your flippant and arrogant remarks personally, don't worry.
I don't drink tea anyway.