Anti-poaching activists join global march

MARLOTH PARK – A procession of 95 locals and visitors who are passionate about raising awareness on wildlife poaching, marched for eight kilometres down Marloth Park’s main road on Saturday as part of the Global March for Elephant and Rhino. The annual event, observed in over

140 cities across the globe, was extra special this year since it also marked the start of the CITES CoP 17, the world’s largest meeting on international wildlife trade.

The organisation hopes to urge the participating countries to implement a complete ban on the commercial, international and domestic trade of endangered wildlife body parts, such as ivory and rhino horn. They also hope for the strictest possible protection for elephants, rhinos and other endangered species.

Worldwide, 96 elephants are killed daily for their ivory and three rhinos for their horns.

Since conservation is dear to the hearts of Marloth Park residents, Ms Alison Fitzgerald of the Marloth Wildlife Fund, organised the march. Fitzgerald is closely involved in the efforts to save local rhinos, Flippie and Peanut, and provide feed for them. The procession was led by Fitzgerald,

Mr Gary Barlow and Mr Dave Balaam, who held up a banner urging people to help save the two young rhinos.

Participants started marching from Marlothii Trading Post at 08:00.

Fitzgerald explained the march’s rationale, “We march for the dead, the butchered, and the vulnerable. We march for those alive and those not yet born. We march with the hope that a global movement, a people’s movement, can change the dynamic on behalf of earth’s last sentient giants. We march because we know that a mass movement of and by the people and for the non-human can change the world for animals. We march because extinction is a human-rights issue, a civil-rights issue and a social-justice issue.”

Local law enforcement was present to ensure the marchers’ safety.

The cool and cloudy day made for great walking weather and the marchers were in high spirits.

Ms Margie Kolver of One Million Footprints to Save Africa was among the marchers. The campaign aims to uplift and inspire youth to unite to save the natural heritage of Africa through education and awareness of conservation.

Mr Simphiwe Ngcobo joined the march on behalf of Emphilweni, a community centre for the physically and mentally challenged in Pinetown, along with aspiring world-record holder, Mr Tom Hart, who walked for the Pink Drive.

Hart marched as part of his attempt to break the world record for barefoot walking. After eight kilometres the group reached Jabula Lodge where they sang the “Rhino Song”.