Battle For SA Rhinos Intensifies And Takes To The Air At 310km/h

The South African National Parks (SANParks) unveiled the GAZELLE – a military spec helicopter – that will bolster their current fleet involved in Anti-Poaching. The event was held at the Letaba shooting range.

The GAZELLE was donated by ...the Ichikowitz Family Foundation in association with Paramount, a leading African aerospace and defence group, and is part of an on-going capacity building partnership announced almost one year ago. The Foundation has previously donated a Seeker MKII Surveillance aeroplane, which has been operating in the KNP since December last year.

The GAZELLE has been purposefully configured by Paramount’s Advanced Technology Division, and will vastly increase areas that can be traversed and has additional equipment to increase aerial support. It has a maximum airspeed of 310km/h, a range of 670km and service ceiling of 5000 meters. The GAZELLE will bring the advantages of a light attack helicopter to the aid of SANParks Anti-Poaching operations the minute it takes to the air.

The Chief Executive Officer of SANParks, Dr David Mabunda welcomed this superior addition to the arsenal that is being deployed in the KNP. “We are grateful to have patriotic partners like the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, who have unselfishly been behind SANParks, supporting us with resources regardless of cost.

“The Ichikowitz Family Foundation understand our needs, the GAZELLE and Seeker plane are just part of their greater involvement which has included provision of fuel, pilots, specialised training and operational capacity.”

Ivor Ichikowitz, Chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and founder of the Paramount Group responded, “During war time, the strategic advantage always belongs to the force that has superior airpower. Essentially, although this is a unique “warzone”, the GAZELLE will strengthen SANParks existing forces and bring this element to the Kruger National Park.”

“A critical part of this helicopter’s capabilities is its speed and the fact that the GAZELLE has a night vision capable cockpit - part of our contribution is to the training of the pilots to be able to fly at night thereby fundamentally taking the war directly to the poachers.”

Mabunda thanked other private sector partners that are raising money to help in the fight against rhino poaching. He mentioned the Bavaria initiative, the Honorary Rangers and Unitrans Volkswagen amongst others. Mabunda emphasised the importance of partnerships and the difference they have made since the escalation of rhino poaching in the KNP.

Speaking on the rhino population in the KNP, Mabunda outlined the results of a census taken a few months ago, saying despite the poaching onslaught, the 2013 rhino census in Kruger NP estimated that there are between 8400 and 9600 white rhino. These numbers were estimated by SANParks scientists using a 40% block count survey method.

The census took 3 weeks to complete in September, making use of 3 helicopters with a total of 220 flight hours. The bottom line is that escalating poaching, counteracted by increased anti-poaching operations, has resulted in relatively stable rhino numbers in Kruger since 2008.”We are certain that without intense anti-poaching operations, Kruger’s rhino population would have begun significantly declining by now” said Mabunda.

Ichikowitz commented on this by saying that the Foundation salutes the work that SANParks is doing, the results they are achieving and is committed to the partnership.

“With the GAZELLE now part of the SANParks Anti-Poaching operations we hope that the fight for the rhino will reach a tipping point in 2014. I want to reiterate what I said this time last year, we will not stand by and watch our rhino’s be slaughtered and are sick and tired of unscrupulous criminals taking advantage of our natural heritage.”

Ichikowitz went on to say that the Foundation will be making further investments and is working with SANParks to assist in further training of the current rangers on advanced bush tracking techniques, following the pilot project completed in Madikwe. 2014 will also see the rolling out a canine programme together with Paramount and SANParks to provide tracker dogs.

The Gazelle was part of a show of force by the conservation body as it took part in flyover demonstrations, showing of some of its unique hovering abilities. The helicopter will be based in Phalaborwa and will assist immensely with reaction time in the north of the KNP.

The event was held at Letaba Shooting Range and was attended by the Rangers Corp leadership led by Officer Commanding, Major General (RET) Johan Jooste and his colleagues.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170

Enquiries:
Ike Phaahla
Media Specialist SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5315; Cell: 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

Return Of Rhino Horns And Elephant Ivory Products From Hong Kong

A consignment of 33 rhino horns and a large number of elephant ivory products seized by customs officials in Hong Kong in November 2011 were returned to South Africa today.

The return of these will now enable the Hawks to further their investigations and determine the origin of the items by means of inter alia DNA analysis, which m...ay lead to the arrest and prosecution of the alleged rhino and elephant poachers and couriers of the illegal shipment.

The arrival of the consignment at the OR Tambo International Airport comes as the number of rhino poached in South Africa for their horn this year increased to 891. A total of number of rhino poached in 2012 was 668. In 2011 448 rhino were killed for their horn in South Africa.

Since January 2013, 548 rhino have been poached in the Kruger National Park. A total of 89 rhino have been poached in Limpopo, 82 in North West, 79 in KwaZulu-Natal and 77 in Mpumalanga.

The total number of suspected poachers arrested climbed to 310 this week, an increase of 25 in the past week. Three alleged couriers have been arrested since the start of 2013.

The return of the consignment to South Africa augers well for the future development of constructive relations with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

During October 2011 a container allegedly containing waste, parings and scrap of plastic was cleared at the Import and Export customs office of the South-African Revenue Services in Alberton, Johannesburg, to be shipped to Hong Kong.

On 15 November 2011 Hong Kong customs officials seized a container of thirty three (33) rhinoceros horns, seven hundred and fifty eight (758) ivory chopsticks and one hundred and twenty seven (127) ivory bracelets which was shipped from the Cape Town harbour.

An investigation was launched by the Endangered Species Section of the Hawks and the docket presented to the National Prosecuting Authority.

Based on the information collected during the investigation, and the fact that both South-Africa and China are parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the Director of Public Prosecutions, South Gauteng, applied to The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China for mutual legal assistance.

The request had included that evidentiary material be produced by Hong Kong and that a South African delegation visit Hong Kong in order to have the rhino horns and ivory items returned to South-Africa for further investigation.

The return of such items was the first request of its kind and took place in terms of an agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China for mutual legal assistance, which was signed on 20 February 2009. The mutual commitment by both countries to fight the illegal exploitation of wildlife crime was evident during the execution of the mutual investigation and strengthened the ties between the two countries.

Following two years of intensive negotiation, a South African delegation, comprising representatives of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks), the National Prosecuting Authority, the Forensic Science Laboratory of the South African Police Service and the Department of Environmental Affairs returned to South Africa on 27 November 2013 with the evidentiary material, as well as the rhino horns and items crafted from ivory.

The 33 rhino horns weigh 79,9 kg and have a conservative estimated black market value of R23,8 million. The seven hundred and fifty eight (758) ivory chopsticks and one hundred and twenty seven (127) ivory bracelets weighed 22.2 kg and have a conservative estimated black market value of R100 000-00.

A forensic evaluation of the rhino horns by a South African forensic specialist indicated that the victims of the illegal exportation of the horns were not only large adult rhinos, but also very young juvenile or sub-adult rhinos. It has further been determined that some of these horns were harvested from rhino that had previously been dehorned. The investigation had further revealed that all the horns were cut at the growth point, suggesting that the horns were obtained from rhino that had been killed.

The ivory bracelets and chop sticks that were part of the consignment all had similar dimensions indicating that these items were manufactured in the same facility. This fact further suggests that these items were mass produced, most probably utilising sophisticated machinery. The large number of ivory items is evidence that multiple elephants were killed to produce enough ivory to manufacture all these items.

South Africans and members of the international community are encouraged to forward information regarding rhino poaching and related tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs

On Safari From 22 November 2013

22 November 2013

The route today was out of camp at 06h00 down the Albasini road, onto Doispane and then up the Paul Kruger Gate Tar to Skukuza for a break.

Animals seen were elephant, rhino, buffalo, impala, kudu, giraffe and stenbuck.

After a tea and coffee break, it was up the Tshokwane tar over the high water bridge, down Elloff Street and back down the Napi Road to camp for lunch.

Animals seen were loads of elephant, buffalo, rhino and giraffe.

This afternoon after meeting some new guests who were joining the safari, we made our way up the Numbi Gate tar, onto the Napi Road, down to Shithave dam and then back onto Napi Road.

Animals seen were common Reedbuck, elephant, buffalo, rhino, waterbuck, impala, cheetah and wildebeest.

 23 November 2013

Today the route was as follows,

We left camp at 06hoo went up the Numbi gate tar getting some hyena females together with their pups. We turned onto Napi Road going down to the H3. We made our way past Quagga pan for about five kilometres, then turned around and made our way back to Napi road, as not much was going on. During this part of the drive, elephants, buffalo, rhino, impala, wildebeest, hyena and kudu were seen.

On the way back to Napi road, a call was received about a mating pair of leopards close to us on the Napi Road, we moved it up and got them in the middle of the road. They moved off the road and within three minutes were gone.

We made our way to Skukuza for a break.

After our break, we were told of another leopard in the tree on the S114, so we decided to go and have a look, we managed to find it lying in a marula tree. After a good sighting, we made our way down the S114 , onto the S112 and back up the H3, before making our way back to camp for lunch.

Animals seen were impala, wildebeest, zebra, hyena, rhino, buffalo, elephant and sable antelope.

This afternoon, we made a turn at Mentsel dam getting hippo's and then went across to Manungu koppies, getting baboon and dwarf mongooses as well as hyena and elephant, before returning to camp.

 24 November 2013

We left camp at 06h00 and made our way down the Numbi Gate tar and onto the Napi Road to the H3 junction and then back to Numbi Gate in order for clients to get their transfer back to Johannesburg.

Animals seen were rhino, buffalo, elephant, impala, kudu, waterbuck, hippo and Klipspringer.

After dropping clients off, we took another drive down the Albasini road, onto Doispane and then up the Paul Kruger Gate tar and back to camp on Napi Road.

Animals seen were zebra, giraffe, mating pair of lions, elephant, rhino, buffalo, impala, waterbuck, kudu, warthog and baboon.

This afternoon’s game drive was around the Shabeni Koppies, around Manungu Koppies and then around Voortrekker link.

Animals seen were hyena, elephant, rhino, buffalo, kudu, impala and baboon.

 25 November 2013

Today we left camp at 06h00 and made our way up the Numbi gate tar getting good sightings of buffalo and hyena, we then turned onto Napi Road going down to Transport dam and then returning to Numbi Gate to take guests through to Nelspruit for their transfer back to Johannesburg.

Animals seen were rhino, elephant, buffalo, impala, kudu, waterbuck, hippo, zebra and baboon.

This afternoon game drive left at 15h00 with new guests and the same route was driven with exception that we went down to the H3 junction.

Animals seen were elephant, rhino, buffalo, kudu, waterbuck, hyena, impala, zebra, hippo and baboon.

Guests returned to the lodge with five minutes to spare before gate closing.

 26 November 2013

Guest return to Johannesburg today with Dean.

 

National Prosecuting Authority, SA Police Service And SANParks Rangers Commended For Sterling Work In Adressing Poaching

The Department of Environmental Affairs welcomes the sentencing of two rhino poachers to 10 years imprisonment... each by the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal for poaching a black rhino and possession of two rhino horn. The men - Philani Khanyile and Nhlathu Siyaya – were arrested at a roadblock in November 2010. The rhino horns were discovered in their vehicle.

The Department has also commended SANParks rangers and the police for their sterling efforts that have led to the arrest of 13 rhino poaching suspects countrywide in the past two weeks. This brings to 285 the number of alleged rhino poachers arrested since January this year. A total of 267 alleged poachers were arrested in 2012.

It is due to the combined efforts of SANParks rangers, the SANDF and the police that the battle against rhino poachers in particularly the Kruger National Park will be won. Were it not for these men and women working at the coalface of rhino poaching in South Africa, many more of these iconic animals will have been poached this year.

The number of rhinos killed for their horns in South Africa since January has increased to 860. Of the rhino poached, 521 have been killed in the Kruger National Park. A total of 87 rhinos have been poached in Limpopo, 82 in North West, 79 in KwaZulu-Natal and 77 in Mpumalanga.

South Africans and members of the international community are encouraged to information regarding rhino poaching and related tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs

 

 

Contact Made With Poachers

On Friday, 22nd November 2013, rangers in the Mooiplaas section of the Kruger National Park made contact with a group of three suspected rhino poachers at 19H00PM after obtaining visual of a group coming into the Kruger National Park from Mozambique.

During the incident, one suspect was fatally wounded and the remaining two were wounded and arrested.

A .458 hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered during the operation.

Issued by:
South African National Parks

SANParks Rangers Neutralise More Suspected Poachers

The South African National Parks (SANParks) Rangers emerged on top this week in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The year-end spike in poaching activities kept the rangers SAPS and their Mozambican counterparts busy from Sunday the 17 November 2013.

The activities both inside the KNP and within the adjacent areas to the west of the park and alon...g the eastern boundary within Mozambique this week led to seventeen suspected poachers arrested and a further four fatally wounded in the Park. The incidents occurred in various parts of the Park including Kingfisherspruit, Crocodile Bridge, Lower Sabie, Letaba, Mooiplaas and in adjacent areas along the boundary.

Commenting on this week’s activities, Officer Commanding, Major General (RET) Johan Jooste said this is a typical year end spike and his men were prepared for it. He further explained that the suspects are more relentless “they don’t only resist arrest but adopt an offensive and aggressive attitude when confronted by Rangers who then have to defend themselves”. He congratulated his troops for their bravery and praised his SAPS and Mozambican partners for the successes obtained this week.

The arrests this week bring the total for 2013 to 117 individuals in the KNP. The KNP has lost 521 animals this year.

Issued by:
South African National Parks