Poachers (Wilderness Orphan Series Book 5)

Protecting rhino from poachers has become part of the South African Government's National Development plan, as well as its environmental assets. Four Squirrel helicopters and new night vision equipment are among the latest efforts by the rangers of Kruger National Park to fight the battle against poaching. A number of rhino will be moved to safer locations in private game reserves to protect them from poachers.

The rangers of KNP believe that there are 12 - 15 groups of poachers that operate within the park. They hunt in groups of 3 and are armed with hunting rifles and silencers. The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre rescues and cares for young rhino that are orphaned. The location of these young orphaned rhino is a secret as one of the orphans were already victim to poachers. The orphans are kept under hour surveillance and their progress can be witnessed via the live rhino cam at Africam. Toggle navigation Enquire current. Latest Rhino Poaching and Conservations News Dehorning Orphaned Rhinos - Update May In yet another desperate attempt to save the rhino, some conservancies including the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, have dehorned their orphaned baby rhinos.

Nature conservationists support the theory that the translocation of rhino to safe havens will save the species from poachers, whereas government officials remain skeptical as to whether these operations are worth the time, money and effort. Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, voiced possible solutions to the problem of rhino poaching.

She said "South Africa is considering a range of rhino strongholds, inclusive of national parks, provincial reserves, communal areas and private reserves" and added that the Department of Environmental Affairs was also looking into the benefits of moving some rhino out of the country. South Africa is currently in talks with neighbouring Botswana and Zambia about possible translocation of rhino to these countries. Sam Ferreira, South African National Parks' large mammal ecologist, said that up to rhino could be removed from the country. Out of the rhinos that had been killed by poachers between January and 6 August , a shocking amount of were killed in the Kruger National Park.

Ferreira said that in order to protect these species, they would have to be removed from areas where they are in threat of being poached. Attempting Translocation An organization called Rhinos Without Borders has emerged following the struggle to save the ever-decreasing rhino populations.

The organization aims to raise funds and move South African rhinos to Botswana, where poaching statistics remain relatively low. Initiated by a couple, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who have worked with National Geographic in Botswana's Okavango Delta, the organization plans to start the translocation process in January The idea of moving these endangered species to safe havens is one that seems plausible and along with the growth and improvement of Botswana's Defense Force, should prove to be a successful operation.

However, along with these strategic plans comes an inevitable list of challenges. Financial funding is the major obstacle standing in the way of the implementation of the translocation project. The removed rhinos will be donated to the Botswana government, creating an additional loss for South Africa. Despite this, moving the rhino to the neighbouring country seems like a much smaller risk than leaving these grey giants exposed to the brutality of poachers. Along with fund-raising, safety is another major concern. The placement of the rhinos needs to be carefully and secretively carried out to avoid attacks by poachers.

The rhino that are to be moved will be moved at different times and to different places to ensure that Botswana's Defense Force can cope with the newfound pressure being placed upon them.

Considering Translocation

Hot Pursuit In May , South Africa had signed a cross-border hot pursuit agreement with Mozambique, granting each country the right to follow through in an attempt to capture suspected perpetrators. According to national police commissioner, Riah Phiyega, South African Police Service units have already started pursuing rhino poachers from the Kruger national park into Mozambique.

The Kruger National Park's eastern border is currently the most threatened part of the park and shares a border with South Africa's neighbouring country, Mozambique. A fence is soon to be erected in an attempt to keep poachers from entering the park. The battle between rangers and poachers is an ongoing one. Despite the involvement of the police, game rangers are often the first to come across these intruders and confront these well-armed poachers. The results of these encounters are often fatal - at the disadvantage of the game reserves and the war against rhino poaching.

1. Rhino Poaching Update.
2. 'If we stopped poaching tomorrow, elephants would still be in big trouble'.
3. The Ape Mans Brother!
4. The Unusual Solution.

History The early twentieth century saw the existence of a global population of approximately rhino, in Africa and Asia. The use of rhino horns is becoming increasingly popular, pushing the species closer to extinction. At present, a diluted amount of approximately 29 rhino are alive worldwide. A dueling battle between poachers and conservationists represents the contrasts between the quest for economic gain and the struggle to maintain an untainted wilderness.

Legalization Debate Various topics centred on the illegal poaching of rhinos have come up since the activity has become popular.

Organizations opposing the act of slaughtering rhinos to use their horns in illegal horn trading have suggested that the trade be legalized so that it can be regulated. In June , Environment Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, opened up a platform through which a panel of 10 experts can investigate the pros and cons of legalizing the trade in South Africa.

Their report is expected to be submitted by the end of , when the government will review the suggestions and take it into account during policy-making considerations. Extinction of Western Black Rhino Despite efforts to reduce rhino poaching, saw the declaration of extinction of the Western Black Rhino. Karen and her courageous team need your help right now, and donations are by far the most effective way of helping in this hour of need. An adolescent orphaned white rhino from Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage, recently released back into the wild.

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Animal Encounters , News , Wildlife. Animal Encounters , Conservation , Poaching , Wildlife.

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