World Rhino Day 2015 - Persevering to preserve our rhinos

Let us celebrate and enjoy these magnificent animals and preserve them for the future generations. The thrill I experience when coming across rhinos in the bush is something I will never lose or get tired of and it will be a sad day if future generations are only able to view rhinos in maximum security zoos. 

We need more than mere words to tackle the onslaught of organised crime that seems to be intent on wiping out these animals - stronger action is needed. Justice needs to be swift and harsher penalties must be implemented.

This is not just a problem for the countries that are fighting an ongoing war against poachers, but is a world wide problem. The sooner all nations realise this and get serious about wiping out the scourge of poaching the better. I am no trying to minimise the work that is being done, as there have been some awesome initiatives. What I am suggesting is that there needs to be a greater level cooperation between countries in the fight to preserve our rhinos. 

I would also like to pay tribute to all the tireless warriors who have persevered in the fight to preserve our rhinos, no matter what role they have played. 

Rhino Hunting Auction Travesty

A simple message, "I have something to tell you..." on you tube has really opened a can of worms on the subject of the onging slaughter of our country's rhino.

I find it unbelievable that that at a time when our rhino population is under threat, from poaching that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is allowing an anonymous KwaZulu-Natal businessman, the right to hunt and kill a white rhino for the princely sum of R960,000.

One of their spokesmen claims that this forms part of ongoing plans to control the number of white rhinos. Who do they think they are fooling. The rhinos can be relocated to any number of reserves around the country. It is estimated that 443 rhinos were poached in 2011, so there are many areas where the population can be replenished. Would it not be better to preserve them, rather than to kill them to satisfy the ego of some rich dude.

Another claim is that the money generated from the auction will be used for conservation. Can anyone explain to me how the killing of any endangered species contributes to conservation. It is no wonder that this action has sparked widespread outrage around the country.

The statement by one of their spokesmen that, “We have not broken any laws as the law fully allows us to have hunts like this,” is also part of the spin. The fact that it may be legal does not make it right.

The fact is that rhinos are endangered and we should be preserving them rather than killing them.

To read more on this subject go to "S. Africa rhino hunting auction sparks controversy."