Another rhino poached

Article by Alex Wood, retired District Conservator, EKZN Wildlife.

IT IS WITH great sadness, anger and frustration that I feel compelled to report that the seventh White Rhino in our District was recently poached on Mr Kerneels van der Walt’s farm, Mawana Game Reserve, situated in the Black Imfolozi valley.

This is the third rhino killed over the past year by poachers on his farm.

This is a huge emotional and financial loss. Contrary to the previous six rhinos, where only the horns were hacked off, the tail and both ears were also cut off and the skin and nails of all its four feet were removed. As this incident is under police investigation, I will not elaborate on further facts.

Suffice to say that its horns were brutally hacked off while it was still alive and this wretched animal unnecessarily experienced unbearable pain and stress prior to it eventually being shot and killed.

If you have any information whatsoever concerning rhino poaching, please phone the rhino crime line on: 086 001 0111 – I have been informed that all information is kept confidential.