SOUTH AFRICA: THE WAR ON POACHING
Rhino horn far outstrips the value of gold. Photo by Geran de Klerk on Unsplash
Photo by joel herzog on Unsplash
The majority of pre-Crisis chapters are set in a South African national park, which is where Mary and Piet meet. The park is fictional, but based on one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations: Kruger National Park. I have been fortunate enough to visit this park several times with my family, and it holds a very special place in all of our hearts. Many scenes in The Waiting Rooms were inspired by our own viewing experiences, as well as stories from local visitors and the hugely experienced staff that work there.
Kruger National Park is the size of Wales: 20,000 km, and has an infrastructure of roads and camps that enables tourists to embark on their own ‘self-drive’ safari adventures through the lowveld’s epic beauty and spectacular wildlife. The park preserves the natural habitats of a diverse array of plants, animals, and birds, many of which are endangered. Those species at risk include between 4500 and 5000 white rhino and 500 black rhino: about a fifth of the world’s rhino population.
Rhino rescue in Kruger National Park - South Africa. Photo courtesy International Rhino Foundation rhinos.org/where-we-work/southern-africa-rhino-conservation/
The brutal war on poaching
In the last decade, nearly 9000 African rhinos have been lost to poachers. The fight against poaching is becoming ever more complex and dangerous. Despite huge investments in anti-poaching measures, on average, one to two rhinos a day are still being slaughtered in Kruger National Park. This means that, in addition to drought, illness, and other natural causes, the population remains under threat. Another worrying development is the recent increase in elephant poaching: in 2018, 71 elephants were killed in the park.
During our own visits, we have often witnessed the signs of poaching: circling helicopters, military-style trucks speeding past, and teams of armed rangers striding off into the bush. Security checks at the gates have been noticeably tightened.
Although it has no proven medicinal benefit, rhino horn is sought to cure certain illnesses in traditional Chinese medicine. Increasingly, it is procured in Asia, as a status symbol of success and wealth.
In 2018, 769 rhinos were poached in South Africa. Over half of these (54%) came from Kruger National Park. Although a marked improvement on 2017, when 1028 rhinos were killed, the impact of these losses on overall numbers remains a significant problem, not to mention the appalling suffering and trauma each animal experiences, before death.
On the Asian black market, rhino horn is worth $65,000 a kilo: 35% higher than the price of gold. The ongoing demand for rhino horn, and the huge amounts of money involved, attract international crime syndicates, who profit from the misery of animals, and exploit vulnerable people in the process. Highly organised criminal gangs are using sophisticated technology to mask their activities and to locate animals, which they butcher for profit.
SANParks (South Africa National Parks) estimates that over 500 poachers regularly infiltrate Kruger, and, at any one time, a dozen gangs will be operating inside the park. But SANParks is making use of technology, too: camera traps, as well as magnetic, acoustic and seismic sensors have been put in, and in 2017, they installed an enormous satellite on the Mozambique border, called the Postcode Meerkat. This solar powered radar transmitter has a coverage of more than 60 square miles, and includes an infrared laser and powerful camera. The Meerkat has greatly improved the park’s surveillance and tracking systems, enabling staff to spot incursions at night, and pass on the intelligence to ranger teams, on the ground.
Photo by jean wimmerlin on Unsplash
These initiatives are getting results: during 2018, 229 poachers were arrested inside or adjacent to Kruger National Park. SANParks’ Environmental Crime Unit works with South Africa’s justice, crime prevention, and security agencies to track down and prosecute those involved in poaching operations. However, whilst there were some successful convictions, slow progress in the courts and corruption issues are impacting the level of convictions. The criminal bosses in charge of the syndicates are still getting away.
The long term answer must lie in behaviour change, through awareness and education programmes. Only when demand for rhino horn stops, and people recognise how appalling and unnecessary this trade in animal parts is, will the safety of these impressive animals be guaranteed.
Further reading/viewing:
Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking by Rachel Love Nuwer
An intrepid investigation of the criminal world of wildlife trafficking--the poachers, the traders, and the customers--and of those fighting against it
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poached-inside-world-wildlife-trafficking/dp/1911617087
Stroop: Journey into the Rhino Horn War Director Susan Scott
A multi-award-winning 4 year investigation into South Africa's rhino poaching crisis involved going against some of the most nasty criminal networks. And alongside the rangers in South Africa's rhino sanctuaries the film makers move directly into the firing line. Then to Asia where Stroop asks whether there's any basis to the horn's popularity as a cancer cure. This epic investigation exposes a unique panorama of the global trade in rhino horn.
https://africageographic.com/blog/award-winning-stroop-now-available-via-download/
The Poacher’s Moon by Richard Peirce
The true story of attacks by poachers on rhinos in three private game reserves. Higgins and Lady are two rhinos which survived having their horns hacked out of their heads, and this is their story. It is also the story of other rhinos which didn't survive, and of rhino poaching in South Africa.
https://www.nhbs.com/the-poachers-moon-book
Poaching information
https://www.savetherhino.org/rhino-info/poaching-stats/
Rhino population stats
https://rhinos.org/2018-state-of-the-rhino/