World unite against poaching
On a global scale the impact of poaching on various species has become one of the most contentious issues of the day.
MBOMBELA – On a global scale the impact of poaching on various species has become one of the most contentious issues of the day.
While South Africa faces an enormous challenge with its war against rhino poaching, elephant poaching seems to be on the rise. In the rest of Africa thousands of elephant are being slayed for their ivory annually – four elephant are lost to poachers every hour of the day. It is thought that less than 300 000 roam the wild.
On October 4, Mbombela will be one of more than 115 global cities to join the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos. This peaceful demonstration will place emphasis on the battle being fought daily.
White River businessman, Mr Dex Kotzé, is one of the organisers and has confirmed that cities like San Francisco, London and Adelaide are on board.
A host of celebrities will also join the march to show solidarity to the plight of these animals.
On the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos website, it is stated that the march will bring the crisis to the forefront and ensure people around the world know exactly what is taking place. “The South African government must be urged to shpw increased urgency and political will in tackling the rhino-poaching crisis with emphasis on targeting the syndicate heads and applying more stringent laws to prevent bail grants to accused poachers.
All the countries involved in the chain of supply and demand of elephant ivory and rhino horn must take the strongest measures to bring the slaughter to an end”, the site explains.
Local organiser, Ms Brenda Archdeacon of Brightside Events, says the march will start at 11:00 at Makro, Nelspruit and end at the government complex where a memorandum of demand will be handed to the MEC for environmental affairs.
“We will have shuttles ready to take protesters back to Makro after the event. Memorabilia will also be on sale as a fundraiser for Wessa Lowveld,” Archdeacon said.
Enquiries: Brenda Archeacon on 082 820 9855
The aim is to get enough support for the following:
- All African elephant- and rhino-range countries must implement and enforce strict laws and penalties that are hush enough to deter poachers and all those involved in wildlife crimes.
- All consumer and transit countries must adopt stringent legislation with regard to wildlife crimes; harsher sentences, need to be enforced when the poachers and traffickers are found guilty.
- All countries- especially China and the USA and other top-consumer countries- must adopt outright bans on the ivory trade.
- Countries must enact laws to ban the importing of hunting trophies of endangered animals.
- A ban must be placed on the sales of ivory and horn.
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