Horrific rhino poaching at Kariega

A distressed rhino was left stumbling around without its horn after being darted by poachers at Kariega Game Reserve last Thursday.

By the time the rhino was found on Friday morning, it had regained conciousness. Normally, rhinos that fall victim to poachers bleed to death, but the poachers missed the vitals on this animal, extending its suffering. Dr William Fowlds, who was called out to inspect the rhino, describes video footage that was taken of the rhino as "disturbing." After inspecting the rhino, it became apparent that it would not survive and it was put down. In December, Kariega also lost a rhino cow who was used for breeding, to poachers. Kariega’s game ranch manager, Mike Fuller says, "Something has to be done. We have to up our anti-poaching methods. That might mean putting people on the ground, with rifles.” The case has been handed over to the police and the green scorpions, and is still being investigated.

Rhino Horn: Useful or Useless?

Rhino horn is sought after, predominantly in China and Vietnam, for its medicinal properties. In Traditional Chinese medicine, not only is rhino horn believed to be an aphrodisiac, but it can also be used to cure a large number of ailments including fevers, convulsions, delirium, headaches, pus-filled boils, food poisoning and devil possession. Rhino poaching increased alarmingly in 2010 after claims that the horn can prevent and cure cancer. Previously, rhino horn was used in Yemen to make dagger handles, called jambiyas. Various studies on rhino horns have indicated that they have no medicinal properties, as they consist of compressed keratin fibres, the same as in hair and fingernails.

What’s being done?

In a desperate attempt to protect South Africa’s rhinos, game reserves are coming up with solutions.

•DNA Fingerprinting: In Kruger National Park, samples are being taken of every rhino's blood, skin, hair, horn and hooves. This is sent to Pretoria University where they treat the samples in order to extract DNA information. They then create DNA profiles for the animals, which can be used to identify a carcass if an animal is poached.

•Poisoning horns: The Rhino and Lion Park near Krugersdorp have treated their rhinos’ horns with an ectoparasiticide. The poison is highly toxic to humans and is administered with a dye which shows up on X-ray monitors. This makes the horns deadly to consume and will make it impossible for poachers to smuggle whole or powdered horns out of the country.

•GPS Technology: Rhinos in Mafikeng Nature Reserve have had GPS tags fitted in their horns. The tags emit information about the rhino’s location every minute of the day and an alarm sounds when there is a deviation in the animal’s behaviour.

•Foot patrols: Many game reserves have resorted to having armed patrols.

Any information about rhino poaching can be reported to the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s emergency hotline on 082 404 2128.

Sourced from: http://www.sanparks.org/, http://www.5050.co.za/, http://beta.mnet.co.za/carteblanche.

Published in Grocott's Mail on 18 February 2011