Contains Very Graphic Media: Rhino Carcass Discovered in Marakele National Park

“Please note; Viewer Discretion Advised for video & image below!”

Date: 18th July 2013 – A fresh rhino carcass, with its horn removed, was discovered yesterday in the northern section of the Marakele National Park near Thabazimbi in the Limpopo Province. 

South African National Parks field rangers, who were out on a routine patrol, detected the tracks of three unidentified people, and followed the tracks to where they exited the Park.

Upon backtracking on the same tracks the carcass of a de-horned rhino bull was found at around 17:00 yesterday afternoon, 17 July 2013. The crime scene was secured and is currently being investigated by a SAPS forensics team together with SANParks officials.

The Marakele National Park has not had any rhino poaching incidents for the last two years according to Mr Paul Daphne, SANParks Head of Communications, who said “We are distressed at the loss of this rhino, as SANParks had put in place a number of enhanced security measures to prevent further rhino poaching in Marakele since the loss of a number of animals at the end of 2011.

Our ranger teams have been working tirelessly around the clock to ensure that rhino poachers do not establish a foothold in the Marakele National Park.”

“We will continue to fight the battle against rhino poaching, and we will be implementing further measures in order to ensure greater rhino security. We are continuing to work together with other role players to develop more effective anti-poaching strategies for the Park and also in the Greater Waterberg Biosphere area.” said Daphne.

Anyone with information can contact Poaching tip-off anonymous lines on 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Northern Region Communications
Tel: 012 426 5304

Enquiries:
Divhani Maremba
SANParks Regional Communications Manager: Northern Region
Tel: 012 426-5304; Cell: 082 941 9980
Email: divhani.maremba@sanparks.org

or

Paul Daphne
Head of Communications, SANParks
Tel: (012) 426 5072; Cell: 082 806 5409
Email: paul.daphne@sanparks.org

News Link:-http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=55614

Please copy & share this picture with everyone! http://www.stoprhinopoaching.com/ 

“The following video has nothing to do with the above post, but it does depict the horrific truth of how  rhino, are literally hacked to pieces for their horn; left to die a very slow agonizing death!! We have to do everything possible to stop these magnificent animals from more suffering. Please sign all petitions, share, cross posts, anything to help! We can’t let more die horrific deaths, because people choose to ignore the fact, that the rhino horn has no more health benefits; than human finger nails. Until people realize this is the truth, more will die from having their faces hacked off! If anyone has any rhino stories they feel may benefit the cause by being on a blog, please use them; we can help with the tools we have, to educate & bring more awareness to this problem. 

Very Graphic Viewer Discretion Advised – Rhino Poaching Video Shocks Journalist

Published on 8 Apr 2013

Lowvelder is currently on a media tour in the Kruger National Park where the effects of rhino poaching in this iconic park is being highlighted.

Read more on on the week’s proceedings and rhino poaching in South Africa on Looklocal Lowveld: http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/…

Please, if you were moved by the above, (unless your a corpse I don’t see how anyone couldn’t be) sign the following petitions. There are also more petitions in the page menu “new petitions added 2013”:

• http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_rhinos/
• http://www.turnitaround.co.za/petition/39/stop-rhino-poaching
• http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/foreverwild/
• http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/SAY_NO_TO_LEGALIZING_TRADE_IN_RHINO_HORN/?fSrXhdb&pv=0
• http://www.change.org/petitions/say-no-to-c-i-t-e-s-lifting-the-ban-on-rhino-horn-trade
• http://www.causes.com/actions/1687829-save-the-one-horned-rhino
• More info here: http://www.stoprhinopoaching.com/
• Please also sign petitions within the menu page, thank you!

Wounded rhino dies after escapes poachers

Pietermaritzburg – Poachers who slaughtered and dehorned two white rhino in the Ezemvelo-controlled Weenen game reserve this month are also believed to be responsible for the death of a third white rhino.

For reference only - Rhino horn is in big demand.

Its carcass was recovered in the reserve late last week.

The horns of the third rhino were not removed, but investigators established that the animal had been shot and wounded in its shoulder and probably died a slow death after managing to escape from the poachers.

The hunt for the poachers is continuing amid gloomy reports that the toll of rhino poached countrywide this year has risen to 135 already.

The Kruger National Park has lost 75 rhino to poachers since the beginning of the year, department of environmental affairs spokesperson Albi Modise revealed this week. The second highest number of rhino slain by poachers is in KwaZulu-Natal with 18, Limpopo with 17 and the North West Province with 15.

The report said South Africa lost 448 rhino to illegal hunting and trade in rhino horn last year.

Modise said the department was encouraged by an increasing number of arrests and convictions this year to counter rhino poaching. He added that 89 people were arrested for illegal activities involving rhino horns across the country since January.

Colonel Vishnu Naidoo reported that a game reserve manager, Walter Nkuna, 40, who is believed to be linked to rhino poaching, shot and killed himself at Thabazimbi in Limpopo when police began to move in on him this week.

via Wounded rhino dies after escape | News24.

Alleged rhino poacher kills himself

Polokwane – A game reserve manager allegedly involved in rhino poaching shot and killed himself at the reserve in Dwaalboom, near Thabazimbi, Limpopo, police said on Tuesday.

Colonel Vishnu Naidoo said the body of 40-year-old Walter Nkuna was found in his room in the reserve on Monday.

“Police were following leads of rhino poaching after a rhino was killed last Friday at the game farm. The police were about to confront the suspect when he was found dead.

“His official firearm was found next to his body. It is suspected he might have ended his life when police were about to arrest him.”

There was no evidence of foul play, Naidoo said.

– SAPA

via Alleged rhino poacher kills self | News24.

Farmer gets eight years for rhino poaching – Times LIVE

Jaques Els, 39, of Thabazimbi, was also ordered to pay the Green Scorpions R1 million, by the Makhado Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Beeld reported.

Els was granted bail of R300 000, pending his intention to lodge an appeal. He will appear in court again on June 2. 

This came as the department of environmental affairs took over the release of all information and statistics about rhino poaching.

Albi Modise, director of communication at the department of environmental affairs, said on Monday that rhino poaching had reached a crisis point, Beeld reported.

Several organisations had been very critical of this decision, and had accused government of trying to cover up or manipulate information, Modise said.

“The only reason why information about rhino poaching is being centralised, is because the issue has become a crisis. We want a single message to reach civil society.”

The Rhino War News Bulletin, run by Tim Condon, a former KwaZulu-Natal game ranger now based in Canada, reported on Monday that 109 rhinos had been poached in South Africa since the beginning of 2012.

Modise said Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa would speak to journalists about the issue over the weekend.

via Farmer gets eight years for rhino poaching – Times LIVE.