The SAAF Forum

Guys, the tally of magnificent beasts already slain within the first 9 days of 2013 is at 5;2 in North West and 3 at Kruger. This is something that is very close to my heart and this thread is mainly to increase awareness and to keep tabs on the initiatives proposed, one of which is aerial recon of high risk areas, another being newly formed task forces (anti-poaching teams) under command of an ex-SANDF general, Major General Johan Jooste.

http://blog.getaway.co.za/travel-news/retired-army-general-command-anti-poaching-troops-kruger/

http://www.news24.com/Green/News/3-rhino-killed-in-Kruger-Park-20130108

It seems quite a lot are being done by way of awareness inside our countries borders but none outside, specifically in Asia, except for the "pact" between SA and Vietnam ...

http://www.southafrica.info/news/international/rhinos-051212.htm

If the trend of paoching continues at this rate, we'll have no Rhino left. Let's support these guys.

http://www.antipoachintelligence.co.za/Rhino+poaching

and these,

http://savingprivaterhino.org/

and these,

http://www.stoprhinopoaching.com/

and a host of other anti-poaching drives and initiatives.

http://m.news24.com/news24/Green/News/Poachers-hack-baby-rhino-with-axe-panga-20130111

Another one lost and a calf hacked to bits. What animals is so heartless. One can only pray and hope that nature is stronger than this. My heart is bleeding tonight!

Not poaching - BUT - will this rhino live or will it be shot? Will the rhino pay the price for human stupidity? See link.

"A South African woman on safari was seriously injured when a rhinoceros gored her in the back moments after a game park owner allegedly suggested she stand closer to the animal for a photo".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... photo.html

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I'm following this story very closely. No mention of the animal being put down in the local media. In my opinion the game ranger should be put down. This stays WILD animals and he broke a golden rule, just ask a certain Mr John Varty what supposed domesticated WILD animals can, and will, do to a human.

Good stuff iamsam! Please keep us posted on how this story pans out. John Varty - good man - I met the Varty brothers many years ago when they still owned and managed Londolozi, the private game park (one of many) bordering the Kruger.
You know what happened here is typical of the zoo mentality many people have of wild animals these days. Wild animals cannot be domesticated, there are always genes present which maintains their 'wild' instincts. And so it should be, when humans visit their habitat it must be respected, the human is a guest in their home.
Game ranger? That person? No, he is what was referred to as a 'jeep jockey' way back in the days of the Varty's at Londolozi, Londo's as it was often called. A proper Game Ranger is a rare species these days.

Cheers.

I also met John and his wife Gillian, when my in laws lived in Phillipolis, in the Free State. Very nice guy, with a real passion for nature. What he's done for nature conservation is excellent, but as he admits himself he also broke the golden rule and thought the Tiger pups he reared by hand, on a farm in the Phillipolis area, have lost their instinctive edge, which obvioulsy they haven't. A young male nearly took off his leg after a feeding session. John has not once pointed so much as a finger at the animal, even though he had to go through lengthy and painful operations and rehabilitation after the attack.

I'm struggling to get current up to date info on the Rhino attack incident. The Lodge do not pick up their phone ... obvioulsy.

The victim is doing fine, apparently in a Krugersdorp hospital.

Mr Richter should be held solely responsible for the incident! Any thought of having the animal put down is simply appalling!! It's as bad as people wanting to kill sharks because someone got bitten!!! You are in their backyard AND know the risks!!!

Rhino's 1, humans 0.

Too much mieliepap!

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

32 and counting since 01 January 2013!!! 18 only in Kruger!

http://www.news24.com/Green/News/Rhino-poaching-numbers-on-the-rise-20130123

I have an update on the story about the injured lady on a game range, but cannot make it public yet, as the ranch management had not yet gone public with the information.

1 only ANYWHERE is 1 too many!!! Is SA doing anything to stop this? I know we mentioned using the Rooivalk as a means...overkill someone said! Hell no....I have no problem for the the SAAF boys blasting poacher limbs all over the bush if it means saving animals!

Gary, a lot seems to be done, but not a lot of results though. We only recently(5 - 8yrs) realised that rhino poaching is syndicated organised crime, thus the systems in place fell way short of addressing the problem. Now that it is becoming more prominent and international it is almost too late.

I would like to see this issue be raised at the World Economic Forum, at the UN security council, and at such international bodies. Asian countries historically is the biggest markets for this rhino horn, and that is where the focus should be, IMHO. But it seems we're focussing all our attention inside our own borders, while the culprits "all" operate from outside our countries borders.

Perhaps a deployment to secure our borders might be in order? I'd wager that "armed personnel illegally crossing the border" are an adequate reason to deploy armed helicopters - they could be the start of an invasion! *innocent whistle*

According to reports we have been losing a rhino a day since the beginning of the year and theParks Board have have decided only now to take action.....and what they intend doing boggles the mind!!

Much of the poaching occurs in the central and eastern part of the park and to combat that as part of this action being taken, newly trained rangers are going to be deployed at......the main gates to the park!!!! I must be missing something here!

http://www.news24.com/Travel/South-Afri ... r-20130201

I suspect it's just one thing that they're telling us about, and the other changes are happening quietly so that they may catch poachers unawares? Either that or they're just trying to sound like they're doing something...

I hope that the first part of your moment is the truth! This has to stop now and if that means taking the poachers and hopefully the source permanently, then so be it!