Alpha Golf

Slightly off-topic, but more bad news. Hope the minister is being well rewarded...

johan rebel

"Eleven of Kenya's precious black rhinos were transferred to a new home in what was supposed to be a routine operation in a country fabled for its conservation.

So how did all of them end up dead?"

Source

Johan

StartinSanDiego

11 out of 11 dead! And the millions of well intentioned dollars spent to trans-locate them is down the tubes. Horrible.

susiesan

Looks like all the progress made in Botswana has been undone in one poaching spree:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...trunks-chopped

I read that the new president repealed the shoot-on-sight order for poachers and is disbanding the anti poaching units.
"
"Maj Gen Placid Segokgo, the country’s defence chief, said he was unable to immediately comment on rangers being apparently disarmed earlier this year under a new government policy."

I am glad I made it to Botswana in 2015 and saw all the magnificent elephants at Chobe NP before they are decimated.

msp3

More backward "traditional medicine" quackery:

NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alarming evidence released today by World Animal Protection reveals a deadly trade of jaguar body parts being trafficked illegally for use in traditional Asian medicine from the South American country of Suriname.

The majestic big cats, known for their elaborate markings, are being poached and processed to be exported to China. The process involves boiling down their bodies for up to a week until it turns into a glue or treacle-like paste, sold on the black market in tubs, and until now, has been undocumented. The product is used in the belief that it can be used to treat arthritis pain, sexual performance and to enhance health, despite the fact that there are proven alternatives readily available.

Images collected show the lifeless body of a jaguar tied up from its feet, hanging from a wooden pole upside down; another image shows a girl standing next to another slaughtered jaguar, posing shamelessly for the camera with a grin. Video footage shows a dead male jaguar fastened down onto a small tractor.

This shocking cruel practice involves jaguars being stalked and shot numerous times, suffering multiple injuries, until eventually they are killed, usually with a final bullet to the head once they are too injured to move. In one instance, it was reported that the jaguar had to be shot seven times until it died, causing prolonged suffering.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...300717634.html

I'm genuinely curious, of all the things The Party exterminated during the cultural revolution (manners, culture, etc.), why couldn't they get rid of superstition, outright quackery, and fraud?

susiesan

A Chinese citizen was detained yesterday at Maputo International Airport with nine rhino horns hidden in his luggage

https://clubofmozambique.com/news/ch...9-rhino-horns/

johan rebel

"Fresh charges of a cover-up around possible government links to rhino poaching and organised crime networks have surfaced again.

This after details confirming the arrest of a highly-trained police officer from an elite police unit bust for rhino poaching two weeks ago were only released to the media on Sunday, just one day before his bail hearing this week."

Source

Johan

johan rebel

"Five rhino horns, 14 pieces of abalone, three seahorses, two sea cucumbers, vehicles, and weighing and processing equipment worth a substantial amount were seized"

Source

Johan

susiesan

I do so enjoy reading these stories. Once again, the lions had a delicious meal.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/880704...-south-africa/

johan rebel

I hope it was pretty much free of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and other undesirable additives.


Johan

susiesan

Once again, South Africa is leading the way in illegal game hunting. And what's wrong with all the Brits going to hunt the lions?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ic-rescue.html

johan rebel

Surprised, anybody?


Johan

susiesan

And even more heartbreaking news: Botswana will lift the ban on elephant trophy hunting.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/w...t-hunting.html

When I visited Chobe NP in 2015 the huge herds of elephants was the highlight of my safari in Botswana. Such a shame that politics can overrule conservation.

StartinSanDiego

I'm keeping a close eye on the potential link between corona virus and pangolins.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/healt...617_story.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opini...-animal-trade/

bocastephen

The only winners from this whole virus mess are the animals of Africa. Hopefully this will stop the Chinese slaughter of these animals and endangered species and they can bounce back.