The combined efforts of rangers, soldiers and police has not brought about a meaningful drop in the number of rhinos killed for their horn this year but hopes are high that this will change following a meeting between South African conservation enforcement agencies and their Mozambican counterparts.
Part of an overall plan to fine-tune anti-poaching operations involves cross border operations to pursue and arrest Mozambicans who kill rhinos in the Kruger National Park, Johannesburg daily The Times reported. Those arrested on suspicion of rhino poaching will be extradited to South Africa to face charges in local courts.
With up to 90% of poachers reportedly from Mozambique, retired SA Army Major General Johan Jooste told the paper: “Law enforcement should not be side-lined by international borders”.
Latest statistics issued by the Department of Environment Affairs show that 334 of the 536 rhinos killed so far this year have been Kruger animals.
The current rate of poaching shows the country is losing 2.5 rhinos a day to the high-powered hunting rifles of poachers. If the carnage continues at the same rate until December 31, the national rhino population could be down by close on 920, well up on last year’s loss figure of 668.
While poaching continues unabated, operations by rangers, soldiers and other law enforcement agencies are improving the arrest success rate. The first seven months of the year saw 147 arrests for poaching and related criminal activities, 120 less than for 2012. With Kruger the favoured target of poachers, the iconic game reserve also accounts for the highest number of arrests at 64. An indication of the effect the more militaristic approach to anti-poaching operations in the park is having can be gathered from last year’s total arrest figure of 73.
Jooste has been in overall charge of SANParks anti-poaching operations since the beginning of the year in line with what the national conservation agency’s chief executive, Dr David Mabunda, has called “the low-intensity war” against poachers.
He told the paper co-ordination between South African and Mozambican law enforcement agencies was “dismal”.
“A poacher will run across the border and fire victory shots. He will sit in sight of the ranger and smoke because rangers dare not cross that line (the border).
“Should a SANParks official or a soldier shoot a poacher across the border it would create a serious international incident and might be seen as an act of war.”
The retired two star general said the “insurgency war” was changing the face of Kruger with new security technology on the way. This includes putting down cables that pick up vibrations in the ground and the use of aircraft with sensitive surveillance equipment able to “see” 50 km beyond the park’s borders.
By:
Kim Helfrich
Verity and Dean Cherry had an African dream in 1999 and started Nhongo Safaris® to eliminate the logistical challenges of international visitors on safari. We provide a once in a lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiast that demand quality overnight safaris in South Africa and most particularly the Kruger National Park. We want to enrich our visitors’ experience by providing Luxury Safari Packages or African Safari Holidays and maintain our position as leader in Kruger Park Safaris.
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Some of Nhongo Safaris Fleet of Open Safari Vehicles
The photo shows some of our fleet of Open Safari Vehicles used while on safari in the Kruger National and Hwange National Parks. These ve...
Thursday 8 August 2013
Illegal Ivory, Rhino Horns and Leopard Skins Worth R 53 million Seized In Hong Kong
A shipment of illegal ivory, rhino horns and leopard skins worth $ 5,3million (R 53million) was seized in Hong Kong’s second big bust of endangered species products in a month.
The haul is also the latest in a string of big ivory seizures over the past year in the southern Chinese city.
Some 1120 ivory tusks, 13 rhino horns and five pieces of leopard skin weighing a total of 2266 kilograms were confiscated at Hong Kong’s port, the government announced yesterday.
They were found on Tuesday hidden in a shipping container declared to be wood from Nigeria.
Wildlife activists say China’s growing presence in Africa is to blame for an unprecedented surge in poaching of elephants for their tusks. Most of these are believed to be smuggled into China and Thailand to make ivory ornaments.
By:
South African Press Association - Associated Press
The haul is also the latest in a string of big ivory seizures over the past year in the southern Chinese city.
Some 1120 ivory tusks, 13 rhino horns and five pieces of leopard skin weighing a total of 2266 kilograms were confiscated at Hong Kong’s port, the government announced yesterday.
They were found on Tuesday hidden in a shipping container declared to be wood from Nigeria.
Wildlife activists say China’s growing presence in Africa is to blame for an unprecedented surge in poaching of elephants for their tusks. Most of these are believed to be smuggled into China and Thailand to make ivory ornaments.
By:
South African Press Association - Associated Press
On Safari with Dean from 31 July 2013
31 July 2013
Guests were picked up at OR Tambo International Airport at 10:00am after loading the vehicle we left Johannesburg and made our way through to Nelspruit and then onto Nkambeni Tented Camp, we did not do a drive the this day due to guests getting into Johannesburg from Cape Town mid morning and us only reached the Kruger National Park late in the afternoon. Guests enjoyed the late afternoon/evening in the camp getting geared up for the next early morning.
1 August 2013
We left Nkambeni Tented Camp early and made our way down the Numbi gate tar and onto Napi Road down to Skukuza for a break.
Animals seen on this drive were:
Elephant, buffalo, impala, kudu, hyena, giraffe, baboon and hippo.
After our break we took a drive around the Sabie River, going along Elloff street and over the high water bridge, down Tshokwane road and then back to Skukuza for a good lunch.
Animals seen were:
Waterbuck, hippo, elephant, rhino, buffalo, as well as ten lions close to the high water bridge, as well as more about two kilometres further on. Down the Tshokwane tar, we came across a lot of bird species, as well as elephant and buffalo. We then returned to Nkambeni Tented Camp for the evening.
2 August 2013
Today after enjoying a good breakfast, we went out on the road early again to see what we could find.
We made our way down Napi Road and managed to find more good sightings of elephant, rhino, buffalo, as well as a great cheetah sighting of a very pregnant cheetah walking down the fire break looking for a place to give birth to her cubs. After spending quite a time with her rolling in the dung next to our open vehicle as well as sniffing around, she was off just a quick as she had come.
We continued onto Skukuza camp for a break, getting more baboons, giraffe, impala, kudu, common duiker, as well as some good bird species such as the Ground Hornbills. After our break, it was out on the road again going down Doispane road and then up Albasini and back to camp so guests could go on their night drive. On the drive back numerous impala, kudu, wildebeest, elephant and rhino sightings were enjoyed.
3 August 2013
Another early morning again to see what this new day in Africa will bring us as it was the clients last day. We went all out to find a leopard. After travelling around the area, we made our way down Napi Road and into Shithave dam, the dam was quiet with little to no activity, as this has been the case this winter with a lot of the dams in the area.
Our transfer vehicle arrived with more guests from Johannesburg starting their safari and other guests returning to Johannesburg leaving their safari with us to get on their flight back to the Cayman Islands.
After transferring guests to the transfer vehicle and then receiving new ones, we went to the camp of Pretoriuskop for lunch and then it was out on the drive to see what we could find.
We took a drive down Napi road to the Watergat junction, before turning around and returning to the Nkambeni Safari Camp for the night.
Animals seen were:
Elephant, rhino, impala, kudu, waterbuck and giraffe.
4 August 2013
It was up early to enjoy breakfast, and then it was out onto the road to see what today brings.
We drove down to the camp of Skukuza for a break before proceeding back to the Numbi gate to receive more guests taking them through to the camp for lunch and a break, before proceeding out on another drive.
Animals seen were:
Elephant, rhino, buffalo, impala, kudu, waterbuck, giraffe, baboon, common duiker and vervet monkeys.
On the way back to camp, we came across a great honey badger crossing the road, he proceeded to play next to the open vehicle, before going up and sitting on a termite mound for a while, a real busy body as he went along.
The afternoon drive was slow as it was a colder day so fewer animals were seen but we still managed to enjoy sightings of impala, kudu, waterbuck, elephant, rhino ( at a distance ) as well as giraffe.
Everybody was glad to get back to camp and have a warm room with some good food.
5 August 2013
After a good night with a good breakfast, it was out again onto the road, and it was not long before we got our first sighting of elephant as well as buffalo close to the gate. We went on and found more elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, warthog, hyena ( twice ), giraffe, baboons, as well as a leopard on the S114, close to Steenbok Plains. After a great sighting, it was off t the camp of Skukuza for a break, before leaving again on another game drive, this time going around the triangle close to skukuza.
Out on drive, we managed to find elephant, rhino, buffalo, ground hornbills, vervet monkeys, baboon as well as another leopard off the high water bridge.
We then made our way back to Skukuza for lunch, before returning to the camp via Doispane and Albasini road.
We managed to get good sightings of rhino, buffalo, impala, kudu, lions in the Sabie River line, wildebeest as well as baboon on the way back.
Some guests were going on their game drive, so everyone asked to have an early afternoon back at the camp.
6 August 2013
Everybody was up early today, well rested and ready for the day. After breakfast it was out to see what we could find as it was some of the guests last morning with us, we went around the inner circle close to the camp of Pretoriuskop as well as Fayi loop, getting elephant, rhino, waterbuck and baboons.
We then made our way down to Shithave dam and onto boulders loop, getting elephant, impala and kudu.
After dropping guests off to return to Johannesburg, we made our way down to the camp of Skukuza for a break.
Animals seen were:
Elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. We then returned to Napi Road and back to camp.
Guests went on a night safari, and got another leopard.
7 August 2013
After getting up to a warmer morning, it was out early again and soon after getting onto the road, we came across our first sighting of impala and kudu.
We made our way down Napi Road and got a great sighting of sable antelope. We then managed to find rhino close to the road for the guests as well as elephant, giraffe, impala,
kudu, baboon and klipspringer. We then went into camp for a break.
After our break, we went back on napi road and found plus minus 250 buffalo crossing the road at klipspringer koppies as well as a lioness lying about three kilometres down the H3.
After this we returned to camp for lunch.
After lunch, guests were back on the open safari vehicle to see what they could find.
Afternoon drive consisted of rhino, waterbuck, kudu, impala, warthog, buffalo and giraffe. We then proceeded to Camp as guests were leaving in the morning for the Panorama Route then Johannesburg.
8 August 2013
Dean returns from the Kruger National Park today going via the Panorama Route before saying goodbye to the guests at their destination of choice in Johannesburg.
Guests were picked up at OR Tambo International Airport at 10:00am after loading the vehicle we left Johannesburg and made our way through to Nelspruit and then onto Nkambeni Tented Camp, we did not do a drive the this day due to guests getting into Johannesburg from Cape Town mid morning and us only reached the Kruger National Park late in the afternoon. Guests enjoyed the late afternoon/evening in the camp getting geared up for the next early morning.
1 August 2013
We left Nkambeni Tented Camp early and made our way down the Numbi gate tar and onto Napi Road down to Skukuza for a break.
Animals seen on this drive were:
Elephant, buffalo, impala, kudu, hyena, giraffe, baboon and hippo.
After our break we took a drive around the Sabie River, going along Elloff street and over the high water bridge, down Tshokwane road and then back to Skukuza for a good lunch.
Animals seen were:
Waterbuck, hippo, elephant, rhino, buffalo, as well as ten lions close to the high water bridge, as well as more about two kilometres further on. Down the Tshokwane tar, we came across a lot of bird species, as well as elephant and buffalo. We then returned to Nkambeni Tented Camp for the evening.
2 August 2013
Today after enjoying a good breakfast, we went out on the road early again to see what we could find.
We made our way down Napi Road and managed to find more good sightings of elephant, rhino, buffalo, as well as a great cheetah sighting of a very pregnant cheetah walking down the fire break looking for a place to give birth to her cubs. After spending quite a time with her rolling in the dung next to our open vehicle as well as sniffing around, she was off just a quick as she had come.
We continued onto Skukuza camp for a break, getting more baboons, giraffe, impala, kudu, common duiker, as well as some good bird species such as the Ground Hornbills. After our break, it was out on the road again going down Doispane road and then up Albasini and back to camp so guests could go on their night drive. On the drive back numerous impala, kudu, wildebeest, elephant and rhino sightings were enjoyed.
3 August 2013
Another early morning again to see what this new day in Africa will bring us as it was the clients last day. We went all out to find a leopard. After travelling around the area, we made our way down Napi Road and into Shithave dam, the dam was quiet with little to no activity, as this has been the case this winter with a lot of the dams in the area.
Our transfer vehicle arrived with more guests from Johannesburg starting their safari and other guests returning to Johannesburg leaving their safari with us to get on their flight back to the Cayman Islands.
After transferring guests to the transfer vehicle and then receiving new ones, we went to the camp of Pretoriuskop for lunch and then it was out on the drive to see what we could find.
We took a drive down Napi road to the Watergat junction, before turning around and returning to the Nkambeni Safari Camp for the night.
Animals seen were:
Elephant, rhino, impala, kudu, waterbuck and giraffe.
4 August 2013
It was up early to enjoy breakfast, and then it was out onto the road to see what today brings.
We drove down to the camp of Skukuza for a break before proceeding back to the Numbi gate to receive more guests taking them through to the camp for lunch and a break, before proceeding out on another drive.
Animals seen were:
Elephant, rhino, buffalo, impala, kudu, waterbuck, giraffe, baboon, common duiker and vervet monkeys.
On the way back to camp, we came across a great honey badger crossing the road, he proceeded to play next to the open vehicle, before going up and sitting on a termite mound for a while, a real busy body as he went along.
The afternoon drive was slow as it was a colder day so fewer animals were seen but we still managed to enjoy sightings of impala, kudu, waterbuck, elephant, rhino ( at a distance ) as well as giraffe.
Everybody was glad to get back to camp and have a warm room with some good food.
5 August 2013
After a good night with a good breakfast, it was out again onto the road, and it was not long before we got our first sighting of elephant as well as buffalo close to the gate. We went on and found more elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, warthog, hyena ( twice ), giraffe, baboons, as well as a leopard on the S114, close to Steenbok Plains. After a great sighting, it was off t the camp of Skukuza for a break, before leaving again on another game drive, this time going around the triangle close to skukuza.
Out on drive, we managed to find elephant, rhino, buffalo, ground hornbills, vervet monkeys, baboon as well as another leopard off the high water bridge.
We then made our way back to Skukuza for lunch, before returning to the camp via Doispane and Albasini road.
We managed to get good sightings of rhino, buffalo, impala, kudu, lions in the Sabie River line, wildebeest as well as baboon on the way back.
Some guests were going on their game drive, so everyone asked to have an early afternoon back at the camp.
6 August 2013
Everybody was up early today, well rested and ready for the day. After breakfast it was out to see what we could find as it was some of the guests last morning with us, we went around the inner circle close to the camp of Pretoriuskop as well as Fayi loop, getting elephant, rhino, waterbuck and baboons.
We then made our way down to Shithave dam and onto boulders loop, getting elephant, impala and kudu.
After dropping guests off to return to Johannesburg, we made our way down to the camp of Skukuza for a break.
Animals seen were:
Elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. We then returned to Napi Road and back to camp.
Guests went on a night safari, and got another leopard.
7 August 2013
After getting up to a warmer morning, it was out early again and soon after getting onto the road, we came across our first sighting of impala and kudu.
We made our way down Napi Road and got a great sighting of sable antelope. We then managed to find rhino close to the road for the guests as well as elephant, giraffe, impala,
kudu, baboon and klipspringer. We then went into camp for a break.
After our break, we went back on napi road and found plus minus 250 buffalo crossing the road at klipspringer koppies as well as a lioness lying about three kilometres down the H3.
After this we returned to camp for lunch.
After lunch, guests were back on the open safari vehicle to see what they could find.
Afternoon drive consisted of rhino, waterbuck, kudu, impala, warthog, buffalo and giraffe. We then proceeded to Camp as guests were leaving in the morning for the Panorama Route then Johannesburg.
8 August 2013
Dean returns from the Kruger National Park today going via the Panorama Route before saying goodbye to the guests at their destination of choice in Johannesburg.
Rhino Poaching Update
The number of people arrested for rhino poaching-related offences has risen to to 148. http://bit.ly/1eshARB
Wednesday 7 August 2013
R 1 Million Donation To Fight Rhino Poaching
In the last 11 months, for each vehicle sold within the 10 participating dealerships, Unitrans Volkswagen has pledged funds to fight rhino poaching in SANParks. At the end of July 2013 this amount stands at a fantastic R 1 175 500.
This phenomenal contribution which is assured to fight rhino poaching within the SA National Parks comes from the company’s bottom line and is related directly to motor vehicle sales (both new and pre-owned) made within the Unitrans Volkswagen group of dealers. Unitrans Volkswagen in co-operation with the SANParks Honorary Rangers ensures that every cent of this bequest is used to fight poaching and that no funds are used for administration purposes. Unitrans Volkswagen thanks all their clients who have supported them for making this donation possible without compromising price and service.
Unitrans Volkswagen initiated the Unite against Poaching trust to ensure that the rangers on the ground are adequately equipped to fight the ruthless poachers they are faced with on a day to day basis. There is no doubt that this objective is being met. Last year over R 3 million was spent ensuring that the field rangers have the basic equipment which allows them to spend prolonged periods in the bush. The funds this year are being deployed for specialist training to ensure that the rangers facing the poachers have the latest counter insurgency skills to successfully track and capture the poachers as well as making sure the forensic evidence to support successful prosecution is provided.
This year alone 540 rhinos have been poached in the country. Unitrans Volkswagen is committed to sustainable support for the fight against poaching. The Unite against Poaching trust fund has also been the major sponsor in establishing the Unitrans Tracker Hounds project in the Kruger National Park. These hounds have been identified as one of the pivotal tools in the war against rhino poaching and their deployment has already seen the successful apprehension of rhino poachers.
Unitrans Volkswagen has also stepped up to address the scientific requirement in the prosecution of rhino poachers. Last year R 500 000 was donated to the rhino DNA project , RhODIS at Onderstepoort, which hosts the rhino DNA database for Southern Africa and provides forensic evidence for every single rhino poaching case in the country. Due to the critical demands placed on the genetic analyser by RhODIS, urgent repairs of R 40 000 were required which Unitrans Volkswagen have settled.
Since the inception of the Unite against Poaching initiative in September 2011, Unitrans Volkswagen have pledged a phenomenal R 6 546 650 to supporting the fight against rhino poaching.
By:
Unitrans Volkswagen | Unite Against Poaching Trust Fund
This phenomenal contribution which is assured to fight rhino poaching within the SA National Parks comes from the company’s bottom line and is related directly to motor vehicle sales (both new and pre-owned) made within the Unitrans Volkswagen group of dealers. Unitrans Volkswagen in co-operation with the SANParks Honorary Rangers ensures that every cent of this bequest is used to fight poaching and that no funds are used for administration purposes. Unitrans Volkswagen thanks all their clients who have supported them for making this donation possible without compromising price and service.
Unitrans Volkswagen initiated the Unite against Poaching trust to ensure that the rangers on the ground are adequately equipped to fight the ruthless poachers they are faced with on a day to day basis. There is no doubt that this objective is being met. Last year over R 3 million was spent ensuring that the field rangers have the basic equipment which allows them to spend prolonged periods in the bush. The funds this year are being deployed for specialist training to ensure that the rangers facing the poachers have the latest counter insurgency skills to successfully track and capture the poachers as well as making sure the forensic evidence to support successful prosecution is provided.
This year alone 540 rhinos have been poached in the country. Unitrans Volkswagen is committed to sustainable support for the fight against poaching. The Unite against Poaching trust fund has also been the major sponsor in establishing the Unitrans Tracker Hounds project in the Kruger National Park. These hounds have been identified as one of the pivotal tools in the war against rhino poaching and their deployment has already seen the successful apprehension of rhino poachers.
Unitrans Volkswagen has also stepped up to address the scientific requirement in the prosecution of rhino poachers. Last year R 500 000 was donated to the rhino DNA project , RhODIS at Onderstepoort, which hosts the rhino DNA database for Southern Africa and provides forensic evidence for every single rhino poaching case in the country. Due to the critical demands placed on the genetic analyser by RhODIS, urgent repairs of R 40 000 were required which Unitrans Volkswagen have settled.
Since the inception of the Unite against Poaching initiative in September 2011, Unitrans Volkswagen have pledged a phenomenal R 6 546 650 to supporting the fight against rhino poaching.
By:
Unitrans Volkswagen | Unite Against Poaching Trust Fund
Tuesday 6 August 2013
Did You Know??
#DidYouKnow? A female leopard usually gives birth to a litter of two or three cubs. The offspring are born with coats of smoky gray, while their spots are not yet clearly distinguishable. The mother usually keeps the cubs hidden for the first 8 weeks. She suckles them for 3 months or longer, and gives them a taste of meat at the 6th to 7th week. She will stay in one place with them, till the time they are able to accompany her on her wanderings.
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