We are standing in solidarity with rhinos.

Please join us:

• Saving Rhinos on Facebook®
• Friends of the Rhino on Facebook®

We will not lower our voices until the world hears the truth: Rhino horn is NOT medicine.

South Africa’s SanWild Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Sanctuary has announced its first program for training rangers in counter poaching methods to protect rhinos and other wildlife.

The first set of courses will begin next week.

The duration of the training is six weeks, and pricing information is available on the SanWild website.

• September 10^th – October 22^nd, 2010
• November 1^st – December 13^th, 2010

On completion of the training, successful recruits will be considered for a further six months deployment in the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary.

After completing their optional six-months deployment in the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary on a volunteer basis, qualified rangers will be considered for full time employment in a crack SanWild professional counter poaching unit that will work for provincial, national or private reserves on the contractual basis.

Visit the SanWild website for full details about the training program.

Volunteer rhino guards needed

Individuals with military training are also encouraged to become temporary rhino guards on a volunteer basis, for various game farms. Free food and accommodation will be supplied.

Please contact Louise Joubert via email to learn more about this volunteer opportunity:

louise (at) sanwild (dot) org

Source: Louise Joubert, SanWild Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Sanctuary

Image via SanWild Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Sanctuary

In response to the alarming escalation in rhino poaching, WWF has launched a global campaign to raise awareness and funds for the world’s remaining rhinos.

Over the last five years, more than 600 rhinos have been illegally killed to fuel the demand for rhino horn in traditional Asian medicines – even though rhino horn actually contains no medicinal properties.

Help for those on the front lines

Dr. Joseph Okori, Head of WWF’s African Rhino Programme explained via press release that WWF’s campaign will raise support for the unsung heroes who risk their lives every day to protect rhinos.

We’re asking people to take action during the month of September to help us protect our remaining rhino populations and also support our rhino warriors – the men and women at the frontline who risk their lives daily against the sophisticated, ruthless and heavily-armed international criminal gangs who run the illegal rhino horn trade.

A critical component of the campaign will be WWF’s increased security efforts in areas where poaching has been concentrated.

To help purchase anti-poaching equipment for rangers, WWF has set up a donation page, which pledges 91.5% of all donations will be used directly in the field for protecting rhinos. Click here for more information.

Donations will buy much-needed anti-poaching equipment for guards including binoculars, radios, night-vision gear, body armour, and rhino-tracking and camping equipment. Donations also will provide training for anti-poaching units and be used for emergency veterinary treatments for injured rhinos.

‘Make Noise for Rhinos’ Day

WWF is also asking for your support in a symbolic call for effective international action against rhino poaching.

On Wednesday, September 22^nd, WWF invites you to get out your vuvuzelas, your didgeridoo or any other kind of horn and make noise for rhinos.

This collective action will tell governments around the world to take the issue of rhino poaching seriously. It is a call for stronger law enforcement and strict legal penalties to deter criminals.

Encourage your friends to pressure their governments to take stricter action against the illegal rhino horn trade – and help spread the word that rhino horn is not medicine.

Rhino horn consumer countries

Dr. Okori also pointed out that WWF’s campaign will include rhino horn consumer countries.

WWF believes our international presence in more than 100 countries, including those where much of the horn is shipped to, will help make this campaign effective.

The wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC found that the majority of rhino horn gathered from the slaughter is destined for consumer markets in China and Vietnam, where rhino horn is believed to contain curative properties – despite the fact scientific analysis has proven otherwise.

Source: WWF; for further information, contact Dr. Joseph Okori, WWF International Rhino Campaign, WWF South Africa +27 72 352 0090.

Image: Saving Rhinos LLC

A rhino poacher who was shot during a gun battle with the Anti-Poaching Unit in the Pilanesberg Reserve reportedly confessed from his hospital bed that he was promised R10,000 to kill and de-horn a rhino.

Musa Zondi of the Anti-Poaching Unit said via Eyewitness News that the poacher died from his wounds in the hospital after being questioned by the authorities.

He told the police that he was Mozambican and that he was promised R10,000 to shoot rhinos.

An illegal weapon and an axe were recovered by authorities.

However, the dead man’s two accomplices are still at large.

Source: Eyewitness News

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Thanks to a tip, police managed to arrest four Zimbabwean men for attempting to kill rhinos in the Lephalale Game Reserve in Limpopo, South Africa.

Fortunately, they were caught before any rhinos were harmed.

Colonel Alpeheus Mokale said via Jacaranda 94.2 that a rifle was also confiscated from the poachers.

We received information that people were hunting rhinos at a certain farm in Lephalale. We also seized a 0.30 rifle.

The men are believed to be part of a rhino poaching syndicate and police are hopeful this arrest will shed additional light on the rhino killing spree that has gripped South Africa.

Rhino poaching has reached epidemic proportions, with at least 182 rhinos lost to the slaughter this year.

The killing is fueled by consumer markets for rhino horn in China and Vietnam, where traditional medicines containing rhino horn are in high demand – despite the fact rhino horn has been extensively analyzed and actually contains no medical properties whatsoever.

Source: Jacaranda 94.2

Image: istock.com

A vigorous debate about the controversial idea of legalizing trade in rhino horn has erupted and is now in full swing on social media networks and the blogosphere.

Supporters such as Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) claim that legal trade would be tightly monitored and a way to raise funds for rhino conservation. Opponents point out that legal trade would increase demand for rhino horn products and make poaching even more profitable by creating avenues to launder illegal rhino horn.

In this article, we take a look at some of the existing opportunities for limited legal trade relating to rhino horn and how they may already be contributing to illegal trade, and ultimately, killing rhinos.

1. Trophy hunting

Although trophy hunting of rhino is legal in South Africa, several troubling incidents point to trophy hunting as a laundering vehicle for illegal rhino horn.

For example, two high-profile professional hunters, George Fletcher of Sandhurst Safaris and Gert Saaiman of Saaiman Hunting Safaris, were found to be at the center of a rhino poaching syndicate bust.

According to a report filed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), professional hunters Saaiman and Fletcher are among those awaiting trial in October 2010 for racketeering, money laundering, various counts of theft, malicious damage to property and contraventions of the various provincial Conservation Acts and the Aviation Act.

A helicopter and small Aerostar plane belonging to Saaiman were among the assets seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU)

It is alleged that the accused committed these offences as members of a group consisting of hunters, a pilot, middlemen (agents) and buyers, who illegally hunted rhinos and traded in the horns stolen from the rhino carcasses.

The Aerostar was used to locate the rhinos in various National Parks around the country. It was also used to transport poachers to different national parks where the rhinos were spotted. The rhinos would be shot and dehorned.

The Aerostar would then be used to transport horns to George Fletcher’s farm in Tosca.

Investigations by wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC also revealed Vietnamese nationals gained access to rhino horn by posing as trophy hunting “clients” in South Africa.

The findings strongly suggest that the trophy hunt operators were aware of this pattern and were enjoying additional profits because of their clients’ intentions.

The frequent involvement of a small number of Vietnamese nationals, often on the same game ranches repeatedly; numerous cases whereby Vietnamese “trophy hunters” paid above market price for rhino hunts, but then had to be instructed how to shoot and would completely forego any proper trophy preparation; the issuance of export permits for rhino trophies to Vietnamese nationals who had previously been identified in ongoing rhino crime investigations …

In a recent rhino horn smuggling case, a Vietnamese court sentenced Tran Van Lap of Hanoi to three years in jail for attempting to transport five rhino horns from South Africa to Vietnam.

It is noteworthy that four of the horns were obtained by Lap via a “legal” trophy hunt – however, authorities suspected that the documentation had been falsified. Next page >>

An armed gang of eight to ten men tied up two workers at a Limpopo farm located between Modimolle and Vaalwater, and then proceeded to kill two rhinos and saw off their horns.

This shocking attack reportedly occurred in broad daylight on Monday afternoon.

The Independent Online quoted police spokesperson Ronel Otto, who earlier spoke with an SABC broadcaster.

Between eight to ten suspects, armed, arrived on the farm this afternoon.

They then overpowered two workers on the farm, a man and a woman in their 40s. They then tied them up and threatened them with firearms and went to a special enclosure where the rhinos are kept.

And they shot and they killed two rhinos and they cut off their horns and fled.

According to the website Stop Rhino Poaching, which provides a running total of rhinos killed in southern Africa, at least 182 rhinos have been slaughtered so far in 2010.

Killing rhinos for traditional medicines in China and Vietnam

Recent research by the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC revealed that most rhino horn leaving southern Africa is destined for consumer markets in China and Vietnam. Rhino horn is obtained illegally from poached rhinos and quasi-legally after being laundered via South African trophy hunts.

Rhino horn has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for decades, and prescribed for a wide range of ailments, including fever, anxiety, and boils. Practitioners have also advised rhino horn for keeping the devil away. Within the last five years, Vietnam has emerged as another significant destination for illegal rhino horn from South Africa, with rhino horn being sold online and in retail shops.

However, any supposed “healing benefit” derived from rhino horn is nothing more than an unfortunate myth. Rhino horn has been extensively tested and analyzed, and has been found to contain no medical properties whatsoever.

Sources: Independent Online; Stop Rhino Poaching website

Image: Wikimedia Commons

A female rhino has been found dead near Roedtan in Limpopo. She was shot several times, presumably with an R5 assault rifle and her horns were hacked off. Her hamstrings had also been cut.

The rhino was reportedly 40 years old and her front horn was just over three feet (93cm) in length.

From Tim Condon, Secretariat of the Zululand Wildlife eForum:

[The] rhino was shot 12 times with a .223 presumably a semi automatic R5 assault rifle and they also slashed the animals hind leg tendons to take it down. They probably wounded it badly and had to do that to stop it from moving around so that they could kill it. So no helicopter used. We are having many of these .223 calibre killings and many of the have been linked with the same rifle so one group is operating and we are unable to catch them. Its a disgrace.

Mr. Condon has requested that anyone with information please contact him via the Zululand Wildlife eForum on Facebook©.

Additionally, News24 reported that a two-year-old rhino calf was found in Kruger National Park near the body of a female rhino. Based on the decomposition of the rhino’s body, she was likely killed two weeks ago by poachers.

Illegal rhino horn destined for traditional medicine markets in China and Vietnam

Recent research by the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC revealed that most rhino horn leaving southern Africa is destined for consumer markets in China and Vietnam. Rhino horn is obtained illegally from poached rhinos and quasi-legally after being laundered via South African trophy hunts.

Rhino horn has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for decades, and prescribed for a wide range of ailments, including fever, anxiety, and boils. Practitioners have also advised rhino horn for keeping the devil away. Within the last five years, Vietnam has emerged as another significant destination for illegal rhino horn from South Africa, with rhino horn being sold online and in retail shops.

However, any supposed “healing benefit” derived from rhino horn is nothing more than an unfortunate myth. Rhino horn has been extensively tested and analyzed, and has been found to contain no medical properties whatsoever.

Sources: Tim Condon, Zululand Wildlife eForum; News24.com

Photo via Tim Condon, Zululand Wildlife eForum

A male white rhino was viciously struck down on Wednesday morning by poachers armed with AK-47 assault rifles. The bold attack reportedly occurred close to Masinda Camp in the iMfolozi Game Reserve.

The rhino’s body – with both horns sliced off – was discovered shortly after 9:00 AM by game rangers. Although the rhino was murdered close to staff living quarters, the poachers were not seen or heard.

According to information received from Tim Condon of the Zulu Wildlife eForum, this was the 14^th rhino to die at the hands of poachers in KZN this year. He believes this latest atrocity is the work an organized poaching syndicate.

This latest brazen poaching incident bears the hallmark of the “Rhino Mafia” who supply AK-47’s with silencers to their ground operatives. Suspicion must lay firmly at the doorstep of the “Roos” – “Mtuba” or “Kwambonambi” elements who are the poaching “big fish”.

Mr. Condon has requested that anyone with information please contact him via the Zululand Wildlife eForum on Facebook©.

Killing rhinos for traditional ‘medicines’

Use of rhino horn in traditional medicines in China and Vietnam is the greatest threat to rhinos today. The unwavering demand for rhino horn from these two countries is responsible for the escalation of illegally killed rhinos and laundered rhino horns from trophy hunts.

Although scientific analysis has confirmed that rhino horn actually contains no medical properties, persistent cultural myths claim that rhino horn is a “cure” for fever, anxiety, boils – and even “devil possession”.

Source: Tim Condon, Zululand Wildlife eForum; David Savides, Zululand Observer

Photo: Jasper Kaplan via Zululand Wildlife eForum

The demand for rhino horn in Vietnam has increased substantially over the past few years, and the country is currently considered a significant factor in the illegal rhino horn trade.

Most rhino horn entering Vietnam is sourced from South Africa. Rhino horn is obtained for consumption (quasi-) legally via trophy hunts, and illegally from poachers operating in South Africa.

Not only is the demand for rhino horn as a curative widespread in urban areas of Vietnam, but rhino horn and special tools for grinding rhino horn are offered for sale in shops and online.

And according to the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC, senior political figures in Vietnam are likely involved in the acquisition – and consumption – of rhino horn.

Rhino horn for sale in Vietnam

In addition to the traditional myths surrounding the healing properties of rhino horn, the Vietnamese have propagated the recent rumor that rhino horn is a cure for cancer. This unfortunate notion has been compounded by hospital staff who have reportedly offered rhino horn to terminally ill patients.

Staff at a particular hospital in Ha Noi are said to have approached patients with terminal cancer, and offered to put them in touch with traders who have authentic horns for sale.

Rhino horn is sold in Vietnam through various retail outlets, such as traditional medicine stores. It is also fairly easy to locate rhino horn for sale online in Vietnam.

The photo below is part of an advertisement for rhino horn on a Vietnamese website:

Some Vietnamese businesses sell special tools for preparing rhino horn, along with their regular wares.

For example, a badminton racket repair shop in Hanoi displays a sign offering “Rhinoceros horn bowls for sale”:

It is disturbing to note that rhinoceros skin and blood are offered as well.

In Ho Chi Minh City, several of these sellers also claim to be able to supply the skin and blood of rhinoceros, though these orders must be placed one month in advance.

Rhino horn is sold whole or in “cuts weighing between 90g to 500g”. The horn is mixed with water after being ground into a powder and consumed as a liquid.

Imitation rhino horn

The demand for rhino horn is so great in Vietnam that some outlets are selling imitation rhino horn made from cows or buffalo.

[The imitation horns] are reportedly produced in several villages in Viet Nam, though a well known production center sited by several sources is Ning Hiep in Bac Ninh province on the outskirts of Ha Noi.

On the Vietnamese market, a “freshly cut” rhino horn commands a retail price of USD $25,000 – $40,000 per kg. Imitation horns fetch a substantial price of USD $15,000 per kg.

Contrary to popular belief, the manufacture and sale of “fake” rhinoceros horns does not flood the market and drive prices down. Instead, imitation horns keep the trade invigorated and the demand high. Next page >>