Rhino Poaching in South Africa has shown no sign of letting up despite several arrests and even Poachers shot dead.

Below is a graph to show the drastic increase in poaching since 2007 to date.

Considered an accolade on the cricketing field this unfortunately does not have the same appeal when it comes to Rhino Poaching as the total for Rhino poached in South Africa reaches 100 for the year.

The latest incidents occurred in the North West and Gauteng provinces and where on private land. It was estimated that there was a 600% increase in Rhino Poaching in South Africa in 2009 and the way it is going now it looks like we may double last years figures this year.

The latest incident in Pilanesberg was on Friday the 21st of May.
The Parks Anti-Poaching Unit discovered a hole cut in the North Western fence line and fresh tracks coming into the Park.

All available staff where mobilized as well as a SWAT team from Falcon Security based in Sun City. The tracks where followed and in the meantime a Helicopter was arranged with the SAPS. Once the Helicopter arrived a thorough search of the area was conducted by air and on the ground but once again to no avail.

While flying Parks staff noticed a White Rhino standing alone under a tree and on further observation it was found that it had a fresh wound on its leg.

With Suzi (the Black Rhino that was the Pilanesberg's first poaching incident) having also been shot in the leg it was decided to arrange a vet to come out and immobilize the wounded animal to have a better look.

Normally this is done with the aid of a Helicopter but as the SAPS helicopter had returned to base and the wounded animal looked like it was not able to move very far it was decided to try and dart it on foot.

While the Vet was on route it was decide to try and relocate the injured Rhino again so we set off on foot in the area it had been seen from the air.

After walking about 700m we almost bumped into the Rhino as it was lying down under a tree. It got wind of us and got up and ran away, as it was running it was obvious that it was injured as it had a very bad limp.

The vet arrived and we again went in on foot having placed a person on the side of a hill with a radio to keep on eye on the Rhino and to guide us in.

The rhino had only gone about 600m and was standing still. As we got closer it was decided that the vet would go in alone as the Rhino was alert and he needed to get within 50m to dart it. With the help of the spotter on the hill and some inventive hand signals the Vet was guided close enough to the Rhino and the dart hit home. As the dart hit the Rhino again took off and limped a good 800m before the drugs took effect and it lay down. Once sedated the Vet and the Park staff set about examining the wound and it was found that it indeed had been shot in the foot. The bullet had entered the front of the foot and exited on the side leaving a large wound and possibly shattered a few foot bones.

The wound was treated and the Rhino was given some long term antibiotics and pain killers and the anesthetic was reversed. The prognosis is good and it is believed that it will recover from the wound but may still have a limp due to the damaged bones. It will be checked once a week to gauge its progress and if needs be further treatments will be conducted.

Once again the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust humbly requests any assistance in trying to curb this growing epidemic ravaging South Africa.

Andrew Jackson
CEO
Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust.

Below and above are some photos from the day.

If you would like to contribute to our anti-poaching fund:

Banking Details
Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust
FNB, cheque account
Branch: 260246 - Mogwase
Account: 62031121255
Reference: Anti-poaching fund

Please send the confirmation of your donation and contact details to:
Fax to email: 086 627 6120
email:

A DISTURBING WEEKEND

As the Poaching epidemic still surges through South African Reserves and Game Farms, Pilanesberg National Park was affected this weekend again by a Rhino Poaching incident.

This Saturday the 8th of May 2010 on a standard patrol the dedicated Anti Poaching Unit observed 3 people following a limping White Rhino in the West of the Park. The thought was that the poachers had shot and injured the Rhino and were following it.

The APU sprung into action and started to chase the Poachers who once they saw the Park Staff started to flee in the direction of the Western Fence line. At the same time the situation was communicated to Park Headquarters and every staff member available was mobilized to the area. A Helicopter was arranged and a massive ground and air search was conducted.

As the Staff got closer to the Poachers they retaliated and an exchange of gun fire could be heard echoing of the mountains. The Helicopter with heavily armed Park Staff inside conducted an exhaustive search of the area but due to the thick vegetation and fading light unfortunately could not see the suspects.

While searching the staff in the Helicopter observed a dead Rhino with 5 Lions on the carcass. From the air it looked as though the Rhino still had its horns and it was assumed that maybe it was the Calf of the Black Rhino Cow Suzi that was poached on the 10th of March in that area.

Unfortunately due to the fact that it had now got dark the search had to be abandoned and plans where made to resume at first light the next morning.

On Sunday the 9th of May the Helicopter arrived at first light and again searched the area for the suspects but also to look for the Rhino that was reported as injured the day before.

A separate crew where sent to go and investigate the dead Rhino. The Injured White Rhino Cow was located not far from the area she was seen the day before and was limping really badly.

A decision was made to dart her and examine and treat the wound. Once darted her hind right leg was inspected and although it was very swollen no obvious signs of a bullet wound could be found, she was treated with anti-biotics and an anti-inflammatory and she will be checked again later this week to monitor her progress.

During this the crew that where sent to check on the Rhino carcass reported that it was a White Rhino and there was evidence that she had been shot. The fact that she still had her horns leads us to believe that she was wounded earlier in the week by poachers and managed to get away but eventually died of the wound.

This is the first incident of a White Rhino being poached in Pilanesberg National Park and along with Suzi brings the total of Rhino Poached to two.

Although an animal was lost the fast reaction of the Pilanesberg Staff almost certainly saved another animal from a similar death and also prevented the Poachers from removing the horns of the dead Rhino.

Once again the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust humbly asks for any form of assistance to try and combat this tragic war that is now South Africa’s number one Wildlife concern.

Andrew Jackson
CEO
Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust.
If you would like to contribute to our anti-poaching fund:

Banking Details
Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust
FNB, cheque account
Branch: 260246 - Mogwase
Account: 62031121255
Reference: Anti-poaching fund

Please send the confirmation of your donation and contact details to:
Fax to email: 086 627 6120
email:

An endangered Black Rhino was poached in the Pilanesberg National Park on a Wednesday morning in April 2010, the first rhino to be poached in this Park in its 31 year history. The 26 year old female, known as Suzi, was shot 4 times, one of the shots in the front leg "knee" joint probably to prevent her from running away or attacking, before both horns were removed by pangas.

Two holes were found in the boundary fence in a remote area of the park. Park management immediately called in a helicopter to search the area to see if the breaches in the fence were linked to rhino poaching, when the carcass of Suzi was spotted from the air. The gang had walked through the bush until finding Suzi where she was shot and her horns were removed. A full forensic investigation was carried out at the scene by the South African Police Services and spent cartridges, as well as other evidence, was found.

The rhino populations in South Africa are currently under severe attack from ruthless gangs for their horns, with over 35 rhinos, mostly white rhino, having been poached already in 2010. Whilst the method used in the Pilanesberg incident was walking and shooting, more sophisticated methods are also being used such as helicopters, drugs and darts. It is extremely difficult to protect rhinos under these circumstances.

The Black rhino is an endangered species and the loss of one, particularly an experienced breeding female, is a great loss to the conservation efforts of the species.

Park Manager Mr Mike Crowther is extremely disappointed and concerned. Despite extra vigilance by all staff, Pilanesberg has become another poaching statistic.

There is nothing more distressing for a conservationist than finding a dead rhino with horns removed.

If you would like to contribute to our anti-poaching fund:

Banking Details
Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust
FNB, cheque account
Branch: 260246 - Mogwase
Account: 62031121255
Reference: Anti-poaching fund

Please send the confirmation of your donation and contact details to:
Fax to email: 086 627 6120
email: