Prince William and soccer legend David Beckham teamed up to launch a campaign that aims to protect animals from illegal poaching. According to WWF, the duo just teamed up to “harness the power of sport and social media to raise awareness of wildlife crime.” Illegal wildlife trafficking is an incredibly lucrative business and it is a major driver in the looming extinction of … [Read more...]
Kruger Park elephant killed for its ivory
A dead bull elephant whose tusk had been hacked off was discovered by rangers in the Kruger National Park. The head of the South African national parks rangers, Johan Jooste, said it was likely the bull was shot on purpose for its tusks. He said rangers patrolling the area noticed footprints of about four individuals leaving the park leading towards Mozambique. The park's … [Read more...]
46 nations pledge to end wildlife crime
Governments from around the world have vowed to take ‘decisive and urgent’ action against the illegal wildlife trade, by signing a declaration at the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade. Forty-six nations gathered for the high-level summit on Thursday 13 February, hosted by the UK government and attended by the Prince of Wales, and his sons, the Duke of Cambridge … [Read more...]
SA snubs conference on illegal wildlife trade
South Africa was notably absent at a conference on illegal wildlife trade held in the UK last week. Last year, more than 1 000 rhino were poached in SA and at least 86 rhino have been lost to poaching this year, according to the latest departmental figures, released at the end of January. The London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade 2014 was hosted by the UK … [Read more...]
Moving rhinos to Botswana to combat poaching
African safari operators and conservation groups said Wednesday they plan to move up to 100 South African rhinos to neighbouring Botswana for safekeeping, as poaching levels spike to new highs. "One hundred rhinos will be captured and safely transported from South Africa... and released in Botswana's remote wilderness," two conservation groups called &Beyond and Great … [Read more...]
Minister Molewa welcomes grant to combat rhino poaching
South Africa’s Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Minister Edna Molewa has lauded the R232.2 million grant made to the Peace Parks Foundation by the Dutch and Swedish Postcode Lotteries. The Dutch Postcode Lottery donated R217 million of the total donation, with R15.2 million being contributed by the Swedish Postcode Lottery, towards the fight against rhino … [Read more...]
Poachers kill rhino in brazen attack
Poachers slaughtered a rhino in one of Kenya's best guarded wildlife parks, officials said on Tuesday, in a brazen attack highlighting the risks gunmen are taking during a surge of killings. "Poachers infiltrated Lewa's borders during the full moon on 17 November and killed Meluaya", a 17-year-old black rhino suspected to have been heavily pregnant and with a two-year-old … [Read more...]
Mozambique’s Chissano starts campaign to end poaching
Poor Mozambicans must make an income from conservation so they don’t join the army of hunters who’ve helped take rhino poaching in neighboring South Africa to a sixth successive record, former President Joaquim Chissano said. Chissano, 74, is setting up a foundation to work with the government to establish a special anti-poaching force and to help develop commercial projects … [Read more...]
Rhino losses could impact lucrative tourism industry
World Rhino Day in South Africa will see conservationists and concerned citizens reflecting on another tragic year, the fifth in a row, where a record number of rhinos poached will most certainly be reached. To put the current rhino poaching war into perspective, South Africa has lost a total of 2409 rhinos since 2000. However, 95% (or 2289) of these losses have been in the … [Read more...]
At least 635 rhinos down this year
To date, a staggering 635 Rhinos have been reported as poached in South Africa in 2013, with the real numbers possibly being higher. Rhino poaching is considered by some to be a low risk - high reward activity with an increasingly affluent market for rhino horn in the east, and this is responsible for driving the numbers of Rhinos poached ever higher. To date, a staggering … [Read more...]
Shopping bags collect R1.7 for rhino conservation
Since the launch of the first iconic rhino reusable shopping bag in 2010, over R1.7 million has been raised for rhino conservation through a number of initiatives. Woolworths’ new limited edition rhino bag has arrived in stores in time for World Rhino Day on 22 September. Through the sale of each bag (R29.95), R10 (Vat inclusive) will be donated to the Wildlife ACT Fund to … [Read more...]
Campaign launched for threatened species
A campaign is being been launched this month in Bloemfontein to help saving endangered fauna and flora in the Free State and also nationwide. Called the Emoya Save the Species Campaign Free State and based at Emoya Estate outside Bloemfontein, the campaign is each year to focus on a selected endangered species, starting off with the rhino this year. The official launch of … [Read more...]
Not enough being done to fight elephant poaching
On World Elephant Day we are reminded that poaching is a growing concern across much of Africa. Though attempts at working together to end poaching are being made, Don Pinnock argues that stockpile sales of old ivory do nothing to curb poaching and instead promote illicit trade. All over the world today people who care are celebrating and paying homage to the greatest of … [Read more...]
