Europol Advisory: Irish Organized Crime Network Targeting Rhino Horn

The European law enforcement agency Europol has issued a threat notice regarding the illegal trade in rhino horn. Investigations have revealed the involvement of a mobile Organised Crime Group (OCG) of Irish origin are specializing in the trafficking of illegal rhino horn.

Posted in African Rhinos, Asian Rhinos, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged antique auctions, auction, Australia, China, drug trafficking, Europol, France, gypsies, illegal rhino horn trade, Ireland, Irish, Irish travellers, money laundering, museum, OCG, organised crime group, organized crime, Poaching, Public Awareness, rhino, Rhino Horn, rhino horn auction, Rhino Poaching, rhinoceros, Saving Rhinos, South Africa, South America, tarmac fraud, traditional Chinese medicine, UK, USA, Vietnam

7 Oct 10

South Africa: 20 Rhino Carcasses Found on Syndicate Suspect Groenewald’s Musina Property

Tweet Authorities have made a grisly discovery on the farm of an alleged rhino crime syndicate member. Investigators have unearthed 20 rhino carcasses on syndicate suspect Dawie Groenewald’s “Pragtig” property in Musina. It is suspected that Groenewald – dubbed “the butcher of Pragtig” – purchased the rhinos at auction in order to sell their horns, [...]

1 Comment Posted in African Rhinos, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, Southern white rhino, White Rhinos by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, China, Chinese, Dawie Groenewald, George Fletcher, Gert Saaiman, illegal rhino horn trade, Karel Toet, Limpopo, Manie du Plessis, Marisa Toet, Musina, organized crime, poacher, Poaching, Prachtig, Pragtig, Public Awareness, rhino, rhino crime syndicate, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, rhinoceros, Saaiman Hunting Safaris, Sandhurst Safaris, Sariette Groenewald, Saving Rhinos, South Africa, TCM, Tielman Erasmus, traditional Chinese medicine, Vietnam, white rhino

5 Oct 10

South Africa’s NPA Assigns Dedicated Prosecutors to Rhino Crime Syndicate Cases

Tweet Rhino crime syndicate cases now have dedicated prosecutors. A welcome decision was made by South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority to assign at least 14 dedicated prosecutors to the country’s rhino crime syndicate cases. Rhishja Cota-LarsonI am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. Besides writing [...]

Posted in African Rhinos, Black Rhino, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, Southern white rhino, White Rhinos by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, Black Rhino, China, Chinese, illegal rhino horn trade, National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, organized crime, poacher, Poaching, Public Awareness, rhino, rhino crime syndicate, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, rhinoceros, Saving Rhinos, South Africa, superstition, TCM, traditional Chinese medicine, Vietnam, Vietnamese, white rhino

24 Sep 10

Man Suspected of Supplying Weapons, Smuggling Rhino Horn Makes Musina Court Appearance

Tweet Yet another person involved with killing rhinos in South Africa appeared in court on World Rhino Day. In addition to the eleven alleged rhino crime syndicate members, Petros Fernando Boene, suspected of supplying weapons and smuggling rhino horn, appeared in the Musina magistrate’s court on Wednesday. Rhishja Cota-LarsonI am the founder of Saving Rhinos [...]

Posted in African Rhinos, Black Rhino, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, Southern white rhino, White Rhinos by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, Black Rhino, China, Chinese, firearms, illegal rhino horn trade, Kruger National Park, Limpopo, Mozambican nationals, Mozambique, Musina, Musina magistrate court, organized crime, Petros Fernando Boene, poacher, Poaching, Public Awareness, rhino, rhino crime syndicate, Rhino Horn, rhino horn smuggling, Rhino Poaching, rhinoceros, Saving Rhinos, TCM, traditional Chinese medicine, veterinarians, Vietnam, Vietnamese

23 Sep 10

Investigators Searching for ‘Mass Grave’ of Rhinos on Poaching Suspect’s Property

Tweet Investigators believe several rhino carcasses were disposed of on a farm near Musina. Forensic investigators are searching for rhino carcasses on the 4,000-hectare farm named Pragtig, owned by alleged rhino crime syndicate member Dawie Groenewald. Rhishja Cota-LarsonI am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. [...]

Posted in African Rhinos, Black Rhino, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, Southern white rhino, White Rhinos by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, Black Rhino, China, Chinese, Dawie Groenewald, Dewald Gouws, Errol Luiters, illegal rhino horn trade, Karel Toet, Leon van der Merwe, Limpopo, Limpopo Wildlife, Manie du Plessis, Marisa Toet, Marthinus Pronk, Musina, Musina magistrate, Nordus Rossouw, Nylstroom animal clinic, organized crime, Paul Matomela, Poaching, Pragtig, Public Awareness, rhino, rhino crime syndicate, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, rhino poaching syndicate, rhinoceros, Sariette Groenewald, Saving Rhinos, South Africa, TCM, Tielman Erasmus, traditional Chinese medicine, Vietnam, Vietnamese, white rhino

20 Sep 10

South Africa: Nine Rhino Poaching Syndicate ‘Masterminds’ in Police Custody

Tweet South African media reports say that police have arrested nine high-ranking rhino poaching syndicate members. Nine rhino poaching syndicate members – including two veterinarians and a game farmer – are reportedly in custody after a 6:00 AM police raid that spanned across Polokwane, Musina, and Modimolle. Rhishja Cota-LarsonI am the founder of Saving Rhinos [...]

1 Comment Posted in African Rhinos, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, Southern white rhino, White Rhinos by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, Ceratotherium simum, China, Chinese, drug cartel, folklore, game farmer, illegal rhino horn trade, Modimolle, Musina, organized crime, poacher, Poaching, Polokwane, Public Awareness, rhino, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, rhino poaching cartel, rhino poaching syndicate, rhinoceros, Saving Rhinos, South Africa, superstition, TCM, traditional Asian medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional medicine, veterinarians, Vietnam

11 Aug 10

Conservationist Murdered in Mozambique – Contract Hit Suspected

Tweet A conservationist working in Mozambique has tragically paid the ultimate price for protecting wildlife. The manager of the Maputo Special Wildlife Reserve, Gilberto Vicente, was brutally murdered last weekend by six assailants armed with AK-47 assault rifles. This horrifying incident highlights the critical need for authorities and the legal system to handle wildlife poaching [...]

1 Comment Posted in African Rhinos, Black Rhino, Public Awareness, Rhino Conservation, Rhino Poaching, Southern white rhino, White Rhinos by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, Carlos Nunes, Gaza province, Gilberto Vicente, illegal rhino horn trade, Illegal wildlife trade, illegal wildlife trafficking, Limpopo, Limpopo National Park, Maputo City, Maputo Special Wildlife Reserve, Mozambique, organized crime, poacher, Poaching, rhino, Rhino Conservation, Rhino Poaching, rhinoceros, South Africa, war on rhino poaching

28 Jul 10

Rhino Death Toll Due to Poaching in South Africa Reaches 152, Including Calf Mortalities

Tweet The most recent release from South African National Parks (SANParks) states that 152 rhinos have been lost this year as a result of poaching activity. South African National Parks (SANParks) announced Wednesday that the latest figure for rhinos lost due to the country’s poaching surge is now 152. Based on previous releases by SANParks, [...]

1 Comment Posted in African Rhinos, Black Rhino, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, Southern white rhino, White Rhinos by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, baby rhino, Black Rhino, Ceratotherium simum, China, Chinese, critically endangered species, Diceros bicornis, helicopters, illegal rhino horn trade, Kruger National Park, myths about rhino horn, organized crime, poacher, Poaching, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, rhinoceros, South Africa, superstition, TCM, traditional Chinese medicine, trophy hunting, Vietnam, white rhino

26 Jan 10

Book of the Week – ‘Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species’

Tweet This week’s book is “Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species” by Dr. Laurel Neme. Book Summary: Animal Investigators is a groundbreaking, behind-the-scenes study of how forensic scientists are helping protect endangered species by using science to solve illegal wildlife trafficking crimes. In three real [...]