Poaching rhinos / elephants, etc. Is it as bad as we are told?
May 15, 2013, 9:38 pm
#46
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I have no clue what Austinrunner's motive in arguing about poaching is, but I can verify that he is wrong. Corruption is ridiculous in Tanzania. I have experienced it firsthand on several occasions during my time living there and visiting. It goes from the top of the food chain down to traffic police and park rangers. Bribes were requested of me on many occasions... Information from safari guides show that the poaching situation is escalating after a reprieve for some years.
Why say it isn't happening? Poaching is cruel and disgusting. It needs to be stopped.
Why say it isn't happening? Poaching is cruel and disgusting. It needs to be stopped.
May 16, 2013, 4:17 am
#47
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Well I lived in Zanzibar for three years from 2007-2009. Tanzania remains one of the most corrupt and underdeveloped countries in East Africa for a good reason. When they became socialist in the 80's, the state expropriated all property and resources. Everyone was allocated a tiny plot of farm land. Now, people may have their small plot of land, but it is unproductive, and they fight over access to irrigation water (if it even exists).
GDP in Tanzania is half of Kenya --- people in Tanzania are VERY poor, malnourished, with increasing rates of HIV and malaria +TB. Travel to poorest southern region of the country and you'll see people eeking out an existence on small plots of dirt in the wilderness, far off the paved roads - true subsistence living.
The system of government in Tanzania is completely rotten and corrupt. Talk to any long term business people there and they'll advise you to steer clear for sake of your sanity. Goans and other Indians who stayed during the years of socialism barely survived, only a few thrived. A small handful of corrupt businessmen own the entire county --- and many of those include the top politicians.
And now, religious violence and terrorism is on the upswing (much due to chronic underdevelopment of the economy). Increase consequences of climate change and the quickly growing population means Bad times ahead for the vast majority of people there.
Here's an article about dangerous population growth http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news...c/-/index.html ---run away population growth is at the heart of most problems in East African countries.
The funny thing is, Tanzania has many resources that could make it wealthy (such as minerals and recent large offshore oil and gas discoveries), but the Government there is too corrupt to deal with.
That's the reality, no slandering necessary.
GDP in Tanzania is half of Kenya --- people in Tanzania are VERY poor, malnourished, with increasing rates of HIV and malaria +TB. Travel to poorest southern region of the country and you'll see people eeking out an existence on small plots of dirt in the wilderness, far off the paved roads - true subsistence living.
The system of government in Tanzania is completely rotten and corrupt. Talk to any long term business people there and they'll advise you to steer clear for sake of your sanity. Goans and other Indians who stayed during the years of socialism barely survived, only a few thrived. A small handful of corrupt businessmen own the entire county --- and many of those include the top politicians.
And now, religious violence and terrorism is on the upswing (much due to chronic underdevelopment of the economy). Increase consequences of climate change and the quickly growing population means Bad times ahead for the vast majority of people there.
Here's an article about dangerous population growth http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news...c/-/index.html ---run away population growth is at the heart of most problems in East African countries.
The funny thing is, Tanzania has many resources that could make it wealthy (such as minerals and recent large offshore oil and gas discoveries), but the Government there is too corrupt to deal with.
That's the reality, no slandering necessary.
Last edited by Canuck2012; May 16, 2013 at 4:24 am
May 16, 2013, 5:42 pm
#48
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Well I lived in Zanzibar for three years from 2007-2009. Tanzania remains one of the most corrupt and underdeveloped countries in East Africa for a good reason. When they became socialist in the 80's, the state expropriated all property and resources. Everyone was allocated a tiny plot of farm land. Now, people may have their small plot of land, but it is unproductive, and they fight over access to irrigation water (if it even exists).
GDP in Tanzania is half of Kenya --- people in Tanzania are VERY poor, malnourished, with increasing rates of HIV and malaria +TB. Travel to poorest southern region of the country and you'll see people eeking out an existence on small plots of dirt in the wilderness, far off the paved roads - true subsistence living.
And now, religious violence and terrorism is on the upswing (much due to chronic underdevelopment of the economy). Increase consequences of climate change and the quickly growing population means Bad times ahead for the vast majority of people there.
Here's an article about dangerous population growth http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news...c/-/index.html ---run away population growth is at the heart of most problems in East African countries.
GDP in Tanzania is half of Kenya --- people in Tanzania are VERY poor, malnourished, with increasing rates of HIV and malaria +TB. Travel to poorest southern region of the country and you'll see people eeking out an existence on small plots of dirt in the wilderness, far off the paved roads - true subsistence living.
And now, religious violence and terrorism is on the upswing (much due to chronic underdevelopment of the economy). Increase consequences of climate change and the quickly growing population means Bad times ahead for the vast majority of people there.
Here's an article about dangerous population growth http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news...c/-/index.html ---run away population growth is at the heart of most problems in East African countries.
Socialism in the country started in the 1960s under its first president. Most of that has been undone.
Kenya's and Tanzania's per capita GDP (purchasing power parity) are very close ($1,802 versus $1,567 per the International Monetary Fund, $1,800 versus $1,700 per the Central Intelligence Agency). Compare both to that of Burundi ($625 or $600), Uganda ($1,415 or $1,400), and Rwanda ($1,486 or $1,400), the other members of the East African Community. Tanzania's real GDP growth rate per the CIA was the 34th highest in the world in 2012 (6.5 percent), compared to 7.7 percent in Rwanda, 5.1 percent in Kenya, 4.2 percent in Uganda, and 4.2 percent in Burundi.
Tanzania's HIV infection rate is steadily and substantially declining, as it is everywhere in East Africa except Uganda. The 2011 rate in Tanzania for adults 15-49 is 5.1%, down from 7.2% in 2001.
Malaria rates are also down in Tanzania. Only TB seems to be an increasing problem. But that is not unique to Tanzania. The world is going to face a huge TB problem, including developed countries, once the most resistant bacteria escape from Asia.
According to the "Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey 2011-12", only 1.4 percent of households reported having as few as 1 meal per day. 0.6 percent of households reported that they always had problems satisfying their food needs in the past year. 68.9 percent of households reported that they never or seldom had those problems.
Tanzania does not have a "run away population growth." Have you looked at the 2012 census results? Have you calculated the per year percentage growth rate? Since 1967, the growth rate has averaged 2.9 percent per year. Since 2002, it's decreased to 2.7 percent per year. Zanzibar's population problem is much more severe than on the mainland.
Where is the "religious violence" you talked about? Where besides Zanzibar? How do you know it's on the upswing? Where are the statistics to prove your claim?
Where's the "terrorism"? When has it occurred? How do you know it's increasing?
What are the projected consequences of climate change in Tanzania specifically? Who has researched this?
The system of government in Tanzania is completely rotten and corrupt. Talk to any long term business people there and they'll advise you to steer clear for sake of your sanity. Goans and other Indians who stayed during the years of socialism barely survived, only a few thrived. A small handful of corrupt businessmen own the entire county --- and many of those include the top politicians.
According to statistical analysis, there is a strong correlation between increasing corruption and decreasing income equality. See, for example, "Corruption, economic growth, and income inequality in Africa" authored by Kwabena Gyimah-Brempong in the Department of Economics at the University of South Florida (2001); "A Comparative Study of Inequality and Corruption", authored by You, Jong-sung and Sanjeev Khagram, Harvard University (2005). By every published measure of national income equality, Tanzania fares better than many industrialized and large developing countries, including the US, and better than all other East African Community members.
According to the United Nations, the ratio of the average income of the wealthiest 10% to the average income of the poorest 10% in Tanzania is 9.2 (the lower the ratio, the more equal the income). Compare that to Brazil (40.6), South Africa (33.1), Argentina (31.6), Malaysia (22.1), China (21.6), Burundi (19.3), Rwanda (18.6), Nigeria (17.8), Hong Kong (17.8), Singapore (17.7), Uganda (16.6), US (15.9), UK (13.8), Kenya (13.6), Israel (13.4), Russia (12.7), Australia (12.5), Italy (11.6), Spain (10.3), and Canada (9.4). The Central Intelligence Agency's numbers are almost exactly the same.
According to the UN, the ratio of the average income of the wealthiest 20% to the average income of the poorest 20% in Tanzania is 5.8. Compare that to Brazil (21.8), South Africa (17.9), Argentina (17.8), Malaysia (12.4), China (12.2), Rwanda (9.9), Hong Kong (9.7), Singapore (9.7), Nigeria (9.7), Burundi (9.5), Uganda (9.2), US (8.4), Kenya (8.2), Israel (7.9), Russia (7.6), UK (7.2), Australia (7.0), Italy (6.5), and Spain (6.0).
According to the Gini coefficient published by the CIA, Tanzania's coefficient is 37.6 (the lower the coefficient, the more equal the income). Compare that to South Africa (65.0), Hong Kong (53.7), Brazil (51.9), China (48.0), Singapore (47.3), Rwanda (46.8), Malaysia (46.2), Argentina (45.8), US (45.0), Uganda (44.3), Nigeria (43.7), Kenya (42.5), Burundi (42.4), Russia (42.0), and Israel (39.2).
No, it isn't. You should go back to Tanzania, especially to the mainland, and spend about 6 months living there with ordinary people. Talk to them. Get familiar with their problems and what they like about their country.
Last edited by Austinrunner; May 19, 2013 at 11:49 pm
May 18, 2013, 10:59 am
#49
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Austinrunner. Working with development agencies throughout East Africa and meeting with various business leaders in Tanzania, I'm very well aware of how poor they are. Tanzania is one of the 15th poorest countries in the world. Almost 90% of the population lives on $2 or less a day. You can't get much poorer than that! There is no way to sugar coat a positive spin on Tanzania, they have long term chronic problems they'll be dealing with for decades to come. For most people there, its a daily fight for survival.
May 18, 2013, 12:08 pm
#50
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It is not a daily fight for survival for most people. Hyper-exaggeration does not help your cause, whatever that is. If you want to discuss verifiable facts, by all means do it. You don't live there anymore. I do. Plus, I can cite reputable sources, not just what I believe to be true.
Climate change scientists that have researched Tanzania specifically say that some parts of the country will benefit while others will be harmed. The areas with bimodal rainy seasons will have more precipitation during the so-called short rains, generally October through December, but less rain during June through August, when there is hardly any rain anyway. Northern Tanzania will benefit for coffee and other cash crop producers. But maize production is likely to decrease some because of higher average temperatures and drier months after the so-called long rains. Mount Kilimanjaro is likely to receive more rain overall; however, there will be an increased risk of fire during the dry (cool) season. How more precipitation on the mountain will affect the currently retreating glaciers is still an open question. The glaciers have been retreating not because of increased temperatures but because of less precipitation and more sublimation resulting from less clouds (on average).
Climate change scientists that have researched Tanzania specifically say that some parts of the country will benefit while others will be harmed. The areas with bimodal rainy seasons will have more precipitation during the so-called short rains, generally October through December, but less rain during June through August, when there is hardly any rain anyway. Northern Tanzania will benefit for coffee and other cash crop producers. But maize production is likely to decrease some because of higher average temperatures and drier months after the so-called long rains. Mount Kilimanjaro is likely to receive more rain overall; however, there will be an increased risk of fire during the dry (cool) season. How more precipitation on the mountain will affect the currently retreating glaciers is still an open question. The glaciers have been retreating not because of increased temperatures but because of less precipitation and more sublimation resulting from less clouds (on average).
Last edited by Austinrunner; May 18, 2013 at 2:33 pm
May 19, 2013, 8:48 am
#52
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That is a very interesting article, Johan Rebel. It pulled in a huge amount of data. It's alarming to see that it was just written a couple of days ago.
I had no idea that the rhinos were being sold by the park systems, but I know, that, strangely, hunters play a huge role in the funding of wildlife areas via hunt permits. It's the same here in the USA--hunting permits are a huge source of revenue. I know my opinion is controversial, but I do think that game farms and selective breeding/farming has a place in wildlife recovery worldwide, mostly because they have deep pockets and a vested interest in, well... keeping live animals around so they can be hunted. I feel like hunt farms can be the best of a bad choice. I don't like the idea myself, and wonder, after reading articles like the one below, if legal hunting simply opens up a huge loophole whereby poached animals can be falsely claimed as legal. I don't travel in hunting circles, so I do not know the above and below ground mechanics of it.
South Africa has been credited with a remarkable recovery of white rhino numbers over the past century – up from a small remnant population of 20-50 animals in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve in 1895 to about 18,000 rhinos now. South Africa was also relatively immune from the poaching scourges that virtually eliminated black rhinos and white rhinos from large parts of eastern and southern Africa beginning in the 1970’s, but has recently been hit with a vengeance. For the eight years 2000-2007, the total number of rhinos poached in South Africa stood at 120, or about 15 per year. But from 2008 to 2012 this number increased to a total of 1,654, or about 331 per year. As of May 15th this year, already 313 rhinos have been poached.
And another quote:
Perhaps realizing that wild rhinos captured from the wild were undervalued, the Natal Parks Board then went for auctions, and immediately gained much higher profits. Looking at prices from 1987 to 1991, rhinos were then sold for an average of $15,163. This rose to an average price of $30,307 between 2007-2010. The auction price of a rhino is determined by a number of factors, but largely is influenced by age and the size of the horn. Nevertheless, profits remained very robust for those who bought rhinos and then sold them to hunters – in 2010 the difference between the average auction price and the average hunt price was $29,235. That is still a minimum profit, as it does not include what a hunter would pay for extras like accommodation and daily rates while on the hunt.
I had no idea that the rhinos were being sold by the park systems, but I know, that, strangely, hunters play a huge role in the funding of wildlife areas via hunt permits. It's the same here in the USA--hunting permits are a huge source of revenue. I know my opinion is controversial, but I do think that game farms and selective breeding/farming has a place in wildlife recovery worldwide, mostly because they have deep pockets and a vested interest in, well... keeping live animals around so they can be hunted. I feel like hunt farms can be the best of a bad choice. I don't like the idea myself, and wonder, after reading articles like the one below, if legal hunting simply opens up a huge loophole whereby poached animals can be falsely claimed as legal. I don't travel in hunting circles, so I do not know the above and below ground mechanics of it.
South Africa has been credited with a remarkable recovery of white rhino numbers over the past century – up from a small remnant population of 20-50 animals in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve in 1895 to about 18,000 rhinos now. South Africa was also relatively immune from the poaching scourges that virtually eliminated black rhinos and white rhinos from large parts of eastern and southern Africa beginning in the 1970’s, but has recently been hit with a vengeance. For the eight years 2000-2007, the total number of rhinos poached in South Africa stood at 120, or about 15 per year. But from 2008 to 2012 this number increased to a total of 1,654, or about 331 per year. As of May 15th this year, already 313 rhinos have been poached.
And another quote:
Perhaps realizing that wild rhinos captured from the wild were undervalued, the Natal Parks Board then went for auctions, and immediately gained much higher profits. Looking at prices from 1987 to 1991, rhinos were then sold for an average of $15,163. This rose to an average price of $30,307 between 2007-2010. The auction price of a rhino is determined by a number of factors, but largely is influenced by age and the size of the horn. Nevertheless, profits remained very robust for those who bought rhinos and then sold them to hunters – in 2010 the difference between the average auction price and the average hunt price was $29,235. That is still a minimum profit, as it does not include what a hunter would pay for extras like accommodation and daily rates while on the hunt.
Last edited by StartinSanDiego; May 19, 2013 at 9:20 am
May 21, 2013, 2:58 pm
#53
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Did you pay the bribes? The "top of the food chain" is who exactly? Do you believe that the people who pay bribes are just as much of the problem as people who request them? When did you live in Tanzania? When was your last visit there?
My motivation is to stop broad-brushed slandering and libeling of Tanzanians and other Africans (and Vietnamese living in Africa, who are pronounced guilty of crimes by some on this forum until proven innocent).
My motivation is to stop broad-brushed slandering and libeling of Tanzanians and other Africans (and Vietnamese living in Africa, who are pronounced guilty of crimes by some on this forum until proven innocent).
As for religious violence, which you ask about in reply to Canuck...since I've been there several churches have been burned in Dar es Salaam/Zanzibar and one bombed in Arusha. Hopefully they get this under control.
I love the country, I am not trying to bash it, but from my experiences there, it seems like crime and corruption are going in the wrong direction.
As for wildlife, they are improving and building more roads in and around the northern circuit parks, increasing the danger from poachers. The roads are good for the local people, but at the same time, they allow easier entry and exit for the bad guys. Hopefully TZ gets more serious about poaching.
May 21, 2013, 7:06 pm
#54
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Can we haul this thread back to it's original intent, instead of a tit for tat on the state of politics? AR-- it is commendable that you are playing good cop/bad cop in an effort to keep sweeping judgements from being made. Right or wrong, I admire that. But could you lend a hand here? I'm very interested in the animals.
Could ya'll share your insights on what is going on in the animal kingdom? Where are the improvements being made, where are they losing ground, etc? Is the cross fencing working? Or was that just a bad idea? Are the tourist fees/spending enough to keep the locals focused on preservation? Or is the value of the animals on the open market (tusks, horns, etc) simply too valuable for long term sustainment? Are there breeding efforts being supported on private or public lands, and if so, are they making headway, or is it just boy meets girl as usual? Generally speaking, roads into an area have the result of making it more accessible, and more people begin to enter remote areas. This usually leads to development of some sort.
Several of you are very knowledgeable about Africa, it would be nice if you could share some of information with those of us who don't know, but are concerned, about the stability of the animal population which we hope to see someday.
Could ya'll share your insights on what is going on in the animal kingdom? Where are the improvements being made, where are they losing ground, etc? Is the cross fencing working? Or was that just a bad idea? Are the tourist fees/spending enough to keep the locals focused on preservation? Or is the value of the animals on the open market (tusks, horns, etc) simply too valuable for long term sustainment? Are there breeding efforts being supported on private or public lands, and if so, are they making headway, or is it just boy meets girl as usual? Generally speaking, roads into an area have the result of making it more accessible, and more people begin to enter remote areas. This usually leads to development of some sort.
Several of you are very knowledgeable about Africa, it would be nice if you could share some of information with those of us who don't know, but are concerned, about the stability of the animal population which we hope to see someday.
May 22, 2013, 5:19 am
#55
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All of your questions depend on which area of which country you're inquiring about. And which species you want to know about.
There is a surprising lack of reliable and updated data about how many animals are in which parks of Tanzania, except for rhinos (anywhere) and lions (in Ngorongoro Crater). The Frankfurt Zoological Society has a permanent research presence in the Serengeti National Park, but their almost proprietary data is restricted access.
One of the current issues in Tanzania is whether to allow large animals from Amboseli (in Kenya) to access Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania. There is growing scientific evidence that that would not be a good idea.
Another problem in Tanzania has to do with Ngorongoro Crater. Many are proposing that there be more stringent limits on the number of vehicles allowed per day to enter the crater, partly because tour guides / drivers are ignoring the regulations about how many vehicles may be near animals simultaneously. (There is already a half day limit on each vehicle.) Vehicles that surround lions, for instance, greatly interrupt their hunts.
Another problem with the crater is the multiplication of (mostly ultra-luxury) lodges around the crater, which are siphoning off precious water that otherwise would be flowing into the crater. Within the crater, ill placed and constructed roads alter the flow of water, creating long term problems.
Tourists should be aware that Tanzanian law prohibits foreign nationals from serving as tour guides inside national parks. So no matter which safari company is booked, local guides are going to be used. Some foreigners pay an unnecessary premium for a foreign safari company under the false impression that foreign guides will be used.
There is a surprising lack of reliable and updated data about how many animals are in which parks of Tanzania, except for rhinos (anywhere) and lions (in Ngorongoro Crater). The Frankfurt Zoological Society has a permanent research presence in the Serengeti National Park, but their almost proprietary data is restricted access.
One of the current issues in Tanzania is whether to allow large animals from Amboseli (in Kenya) to access Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania. There is growing scientific evidence that that would not be a good idea.
Another problem in Tanzania has to do with Ngorongoro Crater. Many are proposing that there be more stringent limits on the number of vehicles allowed per day to enter the crater, partly because tour guides / drivers are ignoring the regulations about how many vehicles may be near animals simultaneously. (There is already a half day limit on each vehicle.) Vehicles that surround lions, for instance, greatly interrupt their hunts.
Another problem with the crater is the multiplication of (mostly ultra-luxury) lodges around the crater, which are siphoning off precious water that otherwise would be flowing into the crater. Within the crater, ill placed and constructed roads alter the flow of water, creating long term problems.
Tourists should be aware that Tanzanian law prohibits foreign nationals from serving as tour guides inside national parks. So no matter which safari company is booked, local guides are going to be used. Some foreigners pay an unnecessary premium for a foreign safari company under the false impression that foreign guides will be used.
May 22, 2013, 10:10 am
#56
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Posts: 82
What does relate directly to this thread though, and the animals specifically, is the potential road building that is going on. When I first visited Tanzania, the access roads from Arusha to the parks were poor. Now the tarmac roads go all the way to Karatu and beyond. It's great for the local people, but it presents a problem for animals that needs to be mitigated at the same time new road building takes place.
Fortunately they haven't started the so-called Serengeti Highway and I hope you are right that it will never be done. There is another road that was planned to go through Saadani park on the East coast that is now said to be being diverted around. That is a great decision.
Regarding poaching, here in an interesting recent article from the AP: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/tanza...phant-poaching
The above article points to corrupt government sometimes being complicit in allowing poaching to continue.
Fortunately they haven't started the so-called Serengeti Highway and I hope you are right that it will never be done. There is another road that was planned to go through Saadani park on the East coast that is now said to be being diverted around. That is a great decision.
Regarding poaching, here in an interesting recent article from the AP: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/tanza...phant-poaching
The above article points to corrupt government sometimes being complicit in allowing poaching to continue.
Last edited by l etoile; Jan 17, 2014 at 5:15 pm Reason: removed deleted post
May 24, 2013, 1:09 pm
#57
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"11-year sentence for Kruger trespassing.
Johannesburg - A man was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by the Nelspruit Regional Court on Thursday for trespassing and carrying out a restricted activity in the Kruger National Park.
Abel Mfana Mashabane, 26, from Phalaborwa, pleaded guilty to charges of trespassing in a designated area, after he and his friends were caught walking through the park at Houtboschrand on 17 May 2012.
Mashabane was shot and wounded when he and his friends were detained by game rangers.
"Other rangers began assaulting me, accusing me of owning the rhino horn which I suspect was brought by them and was planted in my bag,” he told the court.
Mashabane had previously testified that rangers framed him. The court heard the rangers had seen the men trying to cross into Mozambique with a bag containing a rhino horn with a street value of R250 000.
Magistrate Shila Msibi did not find Mashabane guilty of possession of a white rhino horn because neither the carcass nor killing site could be located. Msibi said she would not take an armchair approach as rhino killings were on the increase.
She sentenced Mashabane to eight years for carrying out a restricted activity in a designated area, and three years for trespassing. The sentences will be served consecutively."
Source.
Yeah, right! This guy was just taking a regular stroll through the park when rangers showed up and shoved a rhino horn in his bag.
Phalaborwa to Houtboschrand is about 35 km as the crow flies, so this guy must consider hiking a serious leisure pursuit. After taking a bullet in the hip he may have to take it easy for a while, though. Luckily he can relax in jail. 11 years sound about right.
"A suspected poacher has reportedly been trampled to death by an elephant as he tried to shoot the beast in Zimbabwe.
The bloodied remains of Solomon Manjoro were found by rangers after what was thought to be a botched poaching trip at the protected Charara safari area inside a national park.
Zimbabwe’s Sunday Mail reported that the local man was charged by the elephant after he entered the game reserve for an illegal hunting trip with a friend.
The dead man’s alleged accomplice Noluck Tafuruka, 29, was later arrested inside the park and charged with illegal possession of a firearm."
Source.
With a name like Noluck, what did he expect? Pick a poaching partner with a better name next time! Oh, oops . . . there will be no next time.
Johan
Johannesburg - A man was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by the Nelspruit Regional Court on Thursday for trespassing and carrying out a restricted activity in the Kruger National Park.
Abel Mfana Mashabane, 26, from Phalaborwa, pleaded guilty to charges of trespassing in a designated area, after he and his friends were caught walking through the park at Houtboschrand on 17 May 2012.
Mashabane was shot and wounded when he and his friends were detained by game rangers.
"Other rangers began assaulting me, accusing me of owning the rhino horn which I suspect was brought by them and was planted in my bag,” he told the court.
Mashabane had previously testified that rangers framed him. The court heard the rangers had seen the men trying to cross into Mozambique with a bag containing a rhino horn with a street value of R250 000.
Magistrate Shila Msibi did not find Mashabane guilty of possession of a white rhino horn because neither the carcass nor killing site could be located. Msibi said she would not take an armchair approach as rhino killings were on the increase.
She sentenced Mashabane to eight years for carrying out a restricted activity in a designated area, and three years for trespassing. The sentences will be served consecutively."
Source.
Yeah, right! This guy was just taking a regular stroll through the park when rangers showed up and shoved a rhino horn in his bag.
Phalaborwa to Houtboschrand is about 35 km as the crow flies, so this guy must consider hiking a serious leisure pursuit. After taking a bullet in the hip he may have to take it easy for a while, though. Luckily he can relax in jail. 11 years sound about right.
"A suspected poacher has reportedly been trampled to death by an elephant as he tried to shoot the beast in Zimbabwe.
The bloodied remains of Solomon Manjoro were found by rangers after what was thought to be a botched poaching trip at the protected Charara safari area inside a national park.
Zimbabwe’s Sunday Mail reported that the local man was charged by the elephant after he entered the game reserve for an illegal hunting trip with a friend.
The dead man’s alleged accomplice Noluck Tafuruka, 29, was later arrested inside the park and charged with illegal possession of a firearm."
Source.
With a name like Noluck, what did he expect? Pick a poaching partner with a better name next time! Oh, oops . . . there will be no next time.
Johan
May 25, 2013, 4:23 pm
#58
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Some news snippets etc.
"Rangers were doing a follow-up after hearing a gun shot, at 17:30, yesterday in the Phabeni area of the KNP. A shoot-out took place between the Rangers and 3 poachers.
Following the tracks they came across a wounded poacher while the other two managed to escape. The wounded poacher who was in possession of a hunting rifle fitted with a silencing device was arrested, it was later established that he was a member of the SAPS."
Great! A cop caught poaching. At least he took a bullet.
"A ranger was shot and wounded during an operation to apprehend suspected poachers in the Kruger National Park, SA National Parks (SANParks) said on Saturday. Houtboschrand section ranger Andrew Desmet was shot in the stomach during a joint operation between SANParks and the SA National Defence Force on Friday night, spokesman Reynold Thakhuli said in a statement."
Not sure what exactly happened here, but for some reason "joint operation" brings "friendly fire" to mind. Wouldn't be the first time.
Just in case somebody thought it was only the rhino:
"Recently, however, contracts granted to Chinese concerns to log in forests surrounding the reserve have increased the presence of Asian nationals in the area, and Niassa's elephants have come under extreme and constant threat. In 2011, 3,332 new elephant carcasses were counted in the reserve."
Just when the Asians pitch up, huh? Why, what a peculiar coincidence! After murdering at least 50m of their own people, Mao's heirs have decided it is time for some neo-colonialism and have embarked on plundering and pillaging Africa, in the process lining the pockets of the corrupt minority who are willing to sell their souls and countries.
"New research carried out . . . has revealed that poachers have killed about 11,000 forest elephants in Minkébé NP since 2004. Authorities believed that between 50 and 100 elephants were being killed per day in 2011, with much of the poaching being carried out by gangs from neighboring Cameroon"
And now for some good news: both Botswana and Zambia have declared trophy hunting moratoria, and plan to outlaw such hunting soon. The downside is that this will most likely put more pressure on the wildlife in Tanzania, where the 95% of the Selous (supposedly a National Park) has been divvied up between 40 trophy hunting outfits. The industry is totally corrupt, unaccountable and unsupervised. The animals pay the price.
Johan
"Rangers were doing a follow-up after hearing a gun shot, at 17:30, yesterday in the Phabeni area of the KNP. A shoot-out took place between the Rangers and 3 poachers.
Following the tracks they came across a wounded poacher while the other two managed to escape. The wounded poacher who was in possession of a hunting rifle fitted with a silencing device was arrested, it was later established that he was a member of the SAPS."
Great! A cop caught poaching. At least he took a bullet.
"A ranger was shot and wounded during an operation to apprehend suspected poachers in the Kruger National Park, SA National Parks (SANParks) said on Saturday. Houtboschrand section ranger Andrew Desmet was shot in the stomach during a joint operation between SANParks and the SA National Defence Force on Friday night, spokesman Reynold Thakhuli said in a statement."
Not sure what exactly happened here, but for some reason "joint operation" brings "friendly fire" to mind. Wouldn't be the first time.
Just in case somebody thought it was only the rhino:
"Recently, however, contracts granted to Chinese concerns to log in forests surrounding the reserve have increased the presence of Asian nationals in the area, and Niassa's elephants have come under extreme and constant threat. In 2011, 3,332 new elephant carcasses were counted in the reserve."
Just when the Asians pitch up, huh? Why, what a peculiar coincidence! After murdering at least 50m of their own people, Mao's heirs have decided it is time for some neo-colonialism and have embarked on plundering and pillaging Africa, in the process lining the pockets of the corrupt minority who are willing to sell their souls and countries.
"New research carried out . . . has revealed that poachers have killed about 11,000 forest elephants in Minkébé NP since 2004. Authorities believed that between 50 and 100 elephants were being killed per day in 2011, with much of the poaching being carried out by gangs from neighboring Cameroon"
And now for some good news: both Botswana and Zambia have declared trophy hunting moratoria, and plan to outlaw such hunting soon. The downside is that this will most likely put more pressure on the wildlife in Tanzania, where the 95% of the Selous (supposedly a National Park) has been divvied up between 40 trophy hunting outfits. The industry is totally corrupt, unaccountable and unsupervised. The animals pay the price.
Johan
May 29, 2013, 9:57 pm
#59
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Kenya increases poaching penalties
Here's some great news for the elephants and rhinos in Kenya. They are increasing the fines and prison sentences for those found guilty of poaching. It's good to see this action being taken.
http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0529-h...penalties.html
In this article, Prince Charles takes a stand for the elephants, tigers and rhinos:
His son, the Duke of Cambridge, added to the plea: "My fear is that one of two things will stop the illegal trade: either we take action to stem the trade, or we will run out of the animals. There is no other outcome possible."
Read more at http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0522-g...ByDh4o5cvAy.99
http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0529-h...penalties.html
In this article, Prince Charles takes a stand for the elephants, tigers and rhinos:
His son, the Duke of Cambridge, added to the plea: "My fear is that one of two things will stop the illegal trade: either we take action to stem the trade, or we will run out of the animals. There is no other outcome possible."
Read more at http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0522-g...ByDh4o5cvAy.99
Last edited by StartinSanDiego; May 29, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Jun 4, 2013, 10:20 am
#60
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Rhinos around the world are under a heavier pressure than ever before - or anyone predicted. As johan highlights upthread, the upswing in rhino poaching has been massive and sudden - Vietnam has decided rhino horn cures cancer 
As a result, the Vietnamese subspecies of Javan rhino went extinct in 2011. The only other population is down to around 40 individuals and is likely to go extinct, meaning another species lost. The western subspecies of Black rhino... extinct. Sumatran rhino is under threat as well.
Good (but old now) article here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...nam?intcmp=122 that highlighted what was going on when the problem was first identified.
As a result, the Vietnamese subspecies of Javan rhino went extinct in 2011. The only other population is down to around 40 individuals and is likely to go extinct, meaning another species lost. The western subspecies of Black rhino... extinct. Sumatran rhino is under threat as well.
Good (but old now) article here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...nam?intcmp=122 that highlighted what was going on when the problem was first identified.