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Rhino poaching reaches alarming proportions as year draws to end

RHINO poaching has reached an alarming proportion, and if left unchecked, future generations will experience these majestic animals only through the media.

RHINO poaching has reached an alarming proportion, and if left unchecked, future generations will experience these majestic animals only through the media.

These were the words of safety, security and liaison MEC Joyce Mashamba when she addressed Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality communities at the Kruger National Park (KNP) lapa on Saturday ahead of World Rhino Day on Sunday.

Mashamba said rhino poaching escalated in 2006 when the killings reached a record of 36 rhinos.

“In subsequent years, poaching figures continued to rocket to worrying levels. Between 2010 and 2012, the country has witnessed an approximation of 1 449 incidents of rhino poaching,” Mashamba said.

She said notwithstanding heightened awareness campaigns, consistent media attention and concerted law enforcement efforts and convictions, rhino poaching incidents continued to increase unabated.

“Some in the community are even agitating that the Constitution be changed to denude poachers of all rights, including the right to legal representation and bail,” she said.

The new Limpopo police commissioner, Lt Genl Sehlahle Masemola said political engagements are continuing between the South African government and their Mozambican counterparts in view of combatting rhino poaching.

“Authorities in Mozambique said they are concerned with the escalating number of Mozambican nationals killed in our parks for rhino poaching. They believe that a human being cannot lose his or her life due to preserving an animal. We need to convince them otherwise because as much as a human life is important, animals also have a right to life,” he said.

KNP’s communications and marketing manager, William Mabasa said they would continue to engage with communities to help solve the problem of rhino poaching.

“Chiefs and traditional healers have committed themselves to helping in eradicating this scourge. So far, 688 rhinos have been poached in South Africa this year, already surpassing last year’s total of 668,” he said.

Mabasa said he was worried that despite communities’ willingness to assist as whistle blowers, their identities are often revealed by the police, compromising their lives.

Mabasa said R100 000 would be rewarded to anyone with information that led to the arrest of poachers and a further R1 million on information regarding syndicates.

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