What's Happening to Africa's Rhino?
73
So many stories! Here's a quick look at the good, bad, ugly and encouraging RHINO NEWS
Follow
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit onto What's Happening to Africa's Rhino?
Scoop.it!

Who is the Rhinos' REAL Enemy?

Who is the Rhinos' REAL Enemy? | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

WildlifeMargrit:

In this thought provoking article Chris Mercer addresses a less understood enemy.

http://www.nikela.org/blog/rhino-poaching-is-chumlong-the-sacrificial-lamb ;

No comment yet.
Wildlife Margrit is also curating
Wildlife Trafficking: Who Does it? Allows it? Trophy Hunting: It's Impact on Wildlife and People Human-Wildlife Conflict: Who Has the Right of Way? Wildlife Conservationists Would Love Your Help
Discover Topics Wildlife Margrit is following
Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, Sustainability, SocioEconomic, Community Biodiversity IS Life -- Conservation,Ecosystems,Wildlife,Rivers,Water,Forests Permaculture is the future Social Media Marketing Superstars rhinos Personal Development News
and 14 others
Your new post is loading...
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Rhino deaths - 14 in 24 hours - 7 who were dehorned!

Rhino deaths - 14 in 24 hours  - 7 who were dehorned! | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

Fourteen rhino have been killed in a space of 24 hours bringing the tally of rhino killed for their horn to 327 in South Africa since January.

 

The tally includes seven rhinos that had already been dehorned but were killed for their stumps in the Machadadorp area, five were adults, two calves; two in the Thabazimbi area and two in the Vaalwater area.


Dehorning rhino has been seen as a way to protect these gentle herbivores, but the horn does slowly grow back and the extortionate price of rhino horn on the black market, up to £40,000 per kilo, means that even the smallest scrappings are of value to the poachers. 


This sudden upsurge on top of the already devastating wave of poaching may be a result of the trade talks at the recent CITES meeting with traders anticipating a lift on the trade ban and stockpiling in preparation. Whatever the motive, this horrendous wave of slaughter in South Africa now seems to be out of control.


"This latest news is a great sadness to us but we will continue our fight to save the rhino in Africa and Asia to ensure its survival for future generations," says DSWF CEO, Sally Case.

Wildlife Margrit's insight:

Rhino farming to trade rhino horn legally will not work!

The stump is the most 'valuable' part and even dehorned rhino are killed.

NO TO LEGALIZING THE RHINO HORN TRADE.

Instead focus on stopping the corruption and the poachers... and the syndicates who fuel the demand in Asia.

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

WWF releases rhino game to raise funds

WWF releases rhino game to raise funds | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it
An environmental organisation has launched a mobile game to raise awareness on the scourge of rhino poaching.
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

USDOJ: Smuggling Ring Sentenced in Los Angeles for Criminal Trafficking of Endangered Rhinoceros Horn

Vinh Chuong “Jimmy” Kha, 50, and Felix Kha 26, were sentenced today in federal district court in Los Angeles to serve 42 and 46 months, respectively, in prison for crimes related to illegal international trafficking of rhinoceros horn, announced Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice and André Birotte Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.

 

In addition to the prison sentences, the two defendants were ordered to pay a total of $20,000 in criminal fines and pay a $185,000 tax fraud penalty and assessment.  In addition, Jimmy Kha’s Win Lee Corporation was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.  Jimmy and Felix Kha, along with Win Lee Corporation, were also ordered to pay a total of $800,000 in restitution to the Multinational Species Conservation Fund, a statutorily created fund that is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to support international efforts to protect and conserve rhinos and other critically endangered species around the world.  The defendants previously abandoned their portion of interest in $2 million worth of rhino parts and vehicles seized in the investigation....

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Poacher injured during shootout

Poacher injured during shootout | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

JOHANNESBURG - A rhino poacher has been wounded in a shootout with rangers in the Pretoriuskop section of the Kruger National Park.

 

Three poachers were confronted by rangers on Tuesday night which led to a shootout after which two poachers were caught and the third managed to escape.

 

SANPark's Ike Phaahla said, “A rifle, ammunition and an axe were found in their possession. The third suspect unfortunately managed to escape.”

The two men will appear in court on Thursday.

 

Over 200 rhino have been poached since the beginning of 2013.

On Monday, three men appeared in court in KwaZulu-Natal for rhino poaching.

 

The trio was arrested last week in the Nisela Nature Reserve after an unlicensed firearm and 10 rounds of ammunition were found in their vehicle.

At least 668 rhino were poached throughout the country during 2012.

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Austria: Rhino horn thief's case postponed

A Limerick Traveller facing prosecution in Austria in connection with the theft of rhino horns, has had his case further adjourned at the High Court.
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

R4m for Helies to boost rhino poaching fight

R4m for Helies to boost rhino poaching fight | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

Durban - Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has given the green light for a R4-million sponsorship of two anti-rhino poaching helicopters as well as securing two fixed-wing aircraft to bolster the fight against the onslaught of rhino poaching in KZN....

 

The money allows for the upgrading of one helicopter, sourced from King Shaka Aviation, to a bigger one that will cover an expanded area around Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP)....

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Will Dye and Poison for Rhino Horns Stop Poachers?

Will Dye and Poison for Rhino Horns Stop Poachers? | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

What do gold, platinum and rhino horn have in common? They are among the most expensive materials in the world...

 

In order to prevent poaching preemptively, the Rhino Rescue Project (RRP) was born. Its founders Ed and Lorinda Hern of the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve in Krugersdorp developed together with veterinarian Charles van Niekerk a device that injects red dye into rhino horns.


Yes, it is exactly the kind of indelible dye that is used for ruining bank robbers’ prey and tagging the thieves. RRP’s spokeswoman Lorinda Hern didn’t want to share the exact name of the product due to security reasons, but it is known that it works similar as industry products like Disperse Red 9, which also goes under the name of 1-methylamino anthraquinone...

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Rhino poaching deaths, arrests and other stats

Rhino poaching deaths, arrests and other stats | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

Arrests for rhino poaching in South Africa increased considerably this week, with 11 alleged poachers arrested in the eastern half of the country. SANParks said eight of the 11 people arrested this week were caught during joint operations.

 

Since 1 January 2013, 292 rhinos have been poached. The Kruger National park continues to be the worst hit, with 216 rhinos poached. 23 rhinos have been poached in North West Province, 20 in KwaZulu-Natal, 19 in Limpopo and 14 in Mpumalanga. Since January, 94 people have been caught for poaching rhino and smuggling rhino horn. 44 alleged poachers have been arrested in the Kruger National Park, 20 in Limpopo, 13 in KwaZulu-Natal, 8 in North West Province, 6 in Mpumalanga and 3 in Gauteng....

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Poachers fail to raise Hs1m bond

FOUR suspected poachers who killed a rhino a month ago have been given a Sh1 million bond each by a Nanyuki court.
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

94 arrested for rhino poaching

94 arrested for rhino poaching | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it
Ninety-four people have been arrested for rhino poaching and smuggling rhino horn since the start of 2013, the environmental affairs department has said.
Wildlife Margrit's insight:

94 arrested close to 300 rhino poached!

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Vietnam, S.Africa target illegal rhino hunters

Vietnam, S.Africa target illegal rhino hunters | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa and Vietnam have agreed to exchange the names of registered hunters in a bid to stop rhino poachers who obtain hunting permits under false pretences, a spokesman said Monday.

 

Authorities are targeting these hunters who take advantage of laws allowing them to export the rhino horn as a hunting trophy to trade it illegally, mostly on the Asian black market....

 

Corinne's - Wildlife Matters's curator insight, May 8, 6:59 AM

Lets hope this will bring down the wretched hunters and poachers.....before they've taken all rhino horn, enough is enough!

Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Vietnam: 7kg of rhino horn seized in southern hub

Vietnam: 7kg of rhino horn seized in southern hub | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

Ho Chi Minh City customs officials have seized more than seven kilograms of rhino horns amidst international pressure on the country to crank up its efforts to crack down on the illegal trade.  

 

The officials found the two horns, weighing 7.28 kilograms, wrapped in silver paper and hidden in the luggage of a passenger identified only as 34-year-old N.D.D, who arrived in HCMC on a flight from Doha late Saturday.

 

The horns were presumably sourced from Africa, the officials said. 

D. has been detained pending further investigations, the police said, without elaborating.....

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Rangers Forsake Last Endangered Rhinos

Rangers Forsake Last Endangered Rhinos | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it
(POACHING) JOHANNESBURG — Possibly betrayed by the very people sworn to protect them, the last 15 rhinos in Mozambique have met a horrible fate.
Wildlife Margrit's insight:

Betrayal! Sold for a mess of pottage! Another Judas!

What ever happened to integrity? Loyalty? Compassion? Doing what's right?

 

Corinne's - Wildlife Matters's comment, May 8, 7:10 AM
Sadly, I think betrayal pays more, than loyalty, compassion and doing what's right. There are those that just don't give a toss about tomorrow! It's a sad and tragic world when people's are destroying everything that is magnificent and unique about planet earth!
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Military technology can boost the fight against rhino poaching

Military technology can boost the fight against rhino poaching | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it
Technology originally developed for military and security use, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, could be used as another weapon in the fight against rhino poaching, according to Saab. Jerker..
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Rhino sale a secret affair - 313 lost to-date - 19 in KNP

Rhino sale a secret affair - 313 lost to-date - 19 in KNP | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it
The biggest rhino sale in South Africa this year had the feel of a clandestine gathering yesterday as potential rhino buyers secretly made their bids - to avoid their farms being targeted by poachers....
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Army intelligence boost for anti-poaching operations in Kruger

Army intelligence boost for anti-poaching operations in Kruger | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it
Good intelligence is at the heart of every successful military operation and efforts to tip the balance in favour of those fighting to prevent the wholesale slaughter of rhinos are being boosted by..
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Who's the top bidder for Rhino Horn these days?

Who's the top bidder for Rhino Horn these days? | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

If you guessed “China,” you were wrong. The answer is Vietnam. The country’s appetite for rhino horn is so great that it now fetches up to $100,000/kg, ($300,000 per horn) making it worth more than its weight in gold. (Horns average around 1-3 kg each, depending on the species.)

 

Wildlife Margrit's insight:

What do you think a rhino horn is worth today?

And who is bidding the top dollar?

So not good....

 

 

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

NPR: The Enemy Inside: Rhino's Protectors Sometimes Aid Poachers

NPR: The Enemy Inside: Rhino's Protectors Sometimes Aid Poachers | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

The defenders of Africa's rhinos are battling a well-financed and well-informed enemy. Poachers clear $40,000 or more for a single rhino horn....

 

It says a lot about the state of the war against poachers in Africa that the Lewa Conservancy, a private sanctuary in Kenya with 12 percent of the country's rhinos, recently appointed a CEO who has never studied zoology or biology. Instead, Mike Watson is an ex-captain in the British army.

 

His training has already come in handy. Take, for instance, a visit to a crime scene earlier this year: a rhino carcass splayed out in the mud....

 

Read or Listen

http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/14/183914773/The-Enemy-Inside-Rhinos-Protectors-Sometimes-Aid-Poachers

Wildlife Margrit's insight:

Modern day Judas' - selling their souls.

This is probably one of the saddest aspects of this horrible rhino situation... the deception by the very people assigned to protect them. 

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Kay Burley: What if we let poachers win the battle with rhinos in South Africa

Kay Burley: What if we let poachers win the battle with rhinos in South Africa | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it
Kay Burley: If we let poachers win the battle with rhinos in South Africa, these magnificent creatures will soon be no more
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

No proof rhino horns or tiger bones increase sexual performance

No proof rhino horns or tiger bones increase sexual performance | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

Tiger bones, rhinoceros horn and bear bile, oh my! Unfortunately, sometimes these things come to mind when people hear about traditional Chinese medicine. While it’s true that these have all been used as TCM herbs, thankfully in North America they are illegal to use or sell.

 

Rhino horns are thought to improve virility for men. It doesn’t. But, some things that do have similar characteristics to human anatomy do have actual physical effect on the twin part. For example, walnuts look like brains, and their omega-3 fatty acids do support brain health. The diuretic Chinese herb qu mai is the stem of a plant that looks like a urinary tube and thus, it is used to treat urinary tract infections. But rhino horns are best left on the magnificent beasts....

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

STOP THE SHOOTING OF RHINOS IN SOUTH AFRICA

STOP THE SHOOTING OF RHINOS IN SOUTH AFRICA | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it
If you sign this petition it will show that we will not tolerate the horrific needless slaughtering of animals outside of our country.
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Animal Planet and Rhino Documentaries increase their reach

Discovery Communications has picked up two wildlife documentaries from independent UK producer and distributor Power to air across Europe on its Animal Planet channel.
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Why legalizing the Trade of Rhino Horn is Only Good for Rhino Owners

Why legalizing the Trade of Rhino Horn is Only Good for Rhino Owners | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

To legalize or not to legalize the trading of rhino horns to save the black rhino, white rhino from extinction in South Africa?

 

Despite the huge lobby to legalize rhino horn trade as a means to curb the poaching of endangered rhino and stop the wildlife trafficking and illegal trade, we at NIKELA remain opposed.

 

We are not wildlife conservationists, we do not own rhino, and we have no financial stake in whether rhino horn is traded or not. As citizens of our planet, as humans who care for wildlife and the protection of habitats and ecosystems we are fully committed to do all we can to stop the poaching and all other activities that compromise the preservation of wildlife and its environment....

No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Wildlife Genocide: The African Rhino

The illegal slaughter of these majestic beasts has caused outrage globally - and rightly so. Animals are being lost on an almost daily basis. In 2013 there have been in excess of 273 rhino slayings in South Africa alone.
No comment yet.
Scooped by Wildlife Margrit
Scoop.it!

Rhino poachers arrested

Rhino poachers arrested | What's Happening to Africa's Rhino? | Scoop.it

JOHANNESBURG - Eight suspected rhino poachers have been arrested in Mpumalanga, SA National Parks (SANParks) said on Thursday.

 

Five suspects were arrested on Wednesday en route to Timbavati Private Game Reserve, said spokesman Paul Daphne in a statement.

 

Daphne said the men were found in possession of a high calibre hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment.

 

The Timbavati Group had been put under heavy surveillance for three weeks, following a joint operation between the Kruger National Park (KNP), Mpumalanga Tourism and SANParks....

No comment yet.