Maggie Sergio, former Director of Advocacy and Wildlife Solutions for WildCare in San Rafael, CA spent three years focused on solving human-wildlife conflicts, and educating the public about how to resolve those problems non-lethally and for the long term.

Before leaving on her fifth trip to South Africa earlier this year Maggie, a long time Nikela supporter, asked if she could be of help. As her travels took her really close to Karin’s primate center we invited her to pay Karin a visit and deliver a donation check. Maggie enthusiastically agreed.

Maggie’s experience as shared with me and her article in the Huffington Post:

“I am absolutely humbled by Karin,” were some of the first words out of Maggie’s mouth when we chatted on the phone.

Karin Saks, aka Baboon Woman, lives very simply amongst the primates in a rustic home that also serves as the primate center where injured and orphaned vervet monkeys and baboons are treated and nurtured. Her furry charges are baby primates whose parents have been killed by farmers whose properties often border on wildlife areas, or baboons and vervets who have themselves been purposefully injured.

After handing off the donation check from Nikela, Maggie quickly decided that she was not only going to spend a few hours with Karin and her primates, but several days volunteering. Needless to say, Maggie experienced the feedings, treatment and rehab techniques Karin uses to prepare her charges (those that can be) for re-entry in to the wilds (video).

Karin runs her center on her own much of the time, relying on the generosity of volunteers who come and spend a few days, weeks or months assisting her. For both Maggie and I this is most frustrating. Karin has this amazing knowledge and understanding of both the baboons and vervet monkeys and deserves the support so she can go out and educate the surrounding communities. She has so many ways to resolve the human-wildlife conflicts, but faces so little interest or desire to change from the local farmers.

Maggie, trained in human-wildlife conflicts in the USA tells her story:

“Gunfire! Past a farm on a dirt road about 300 yards from Karin’s home. We had ventured out for an early morning walk with her three dogs. The last thing I expected was to hear gunshots and to witness an assault on wildlife.”

“Immediately after the shots were fired, we heard hysterical screams and cries from the baboons and watched as several of them fled over the fence in terror. The only crime that these animals committed was foraging for food. The food source that attracted the baboons was made easily available to them by humans and placed out in the open. This farmer had planted a crop of tomatoes and avocados and took no measures to protect his crops from wildlife, despite the fact that his farm is surrounded by wilderness. Rather than investing in adequate fencing, this farmer, like most, deals with the problem by shooting the offending animals.”

“Animals are always in search of food, whether the source is natural or the result of human agriculture. Food sources for wildlife can be either livestock or crops. If food sources are left unprotected, conflicts will ensue. When animals opportunistically take advantage of the easy meals provided by agriculture, they are often shot, poisoned or snared in an attempt to control the damage. However, these methods are retaliatory and work only for the short term. As soon as an animal is removed from a territory, whether by death or relocation, a space is opened up for another animal to fill, as long as the original source or attraction is still readily available. If a mother is killed, orphan babies are left behind to starve or be preyed upon by other animals.”

“The common denominator of these wildlife conflicts globally is that humans are providing easy access to a food source when we don’t take adequate measures to protect our crops or livestock. What varies is the species of wildlife that is killed. In South Africa it is considered perfectly acceptable for a farmer to shoot baboons, vervet monkeys, jackal, and other species.”

“Because of her work caring for baboons, it is rumored that the local farmers “have meetings about Karin.” I couldn’t help but wonder if the gunshots fired that morning as we passed were meant to send a message or not. Regardless of the intent, Karin’s courage and commitment is unwavering as she works day to day caring for the orphans and victims of agriculture and human encroachment. She has just been notified that the 17 hectare property that she has been leasing for the last seven years is now up for sale. An international effort is now underway to assist”

Karin has been the champion for primates for more than two decades. She has been harassed, and persecuted for her vehement protection of wild vervet monkeys and baboons. Despite all the opposition, the struggle for funding and the lack of local support she never gives up. The primates of the Western Cape owe much to this plucky woman, and so do we.

Please consider helping us at Nikela support Karin’s work to save more Josephs.

]]> http://www.nikela.org/blog/karin-saves-primates-despite-huge-opposition-reports-nikela-volunteer/feed 0 http://www.nikela.org/blog/rhino-poaching-what-the-law-is-doing-to-stop-it http://www.nikela.org/blog/rhino-poaching-what-the-law-is-doing-to-stop-it#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 19:27:09 +0000 Wildlife Margrit http://www.nikela.org/?p=4103 Arrests, courts and convictions. Over 200 white and black rhino dead in South Africa since beginning of 2012. Killed for their horn. Animal poaching reached epidemic proprotions due to illegal trade, syndicates, organized crime, trafficking.

Information provided by a confidential source in South Africa.

First off, the notorious Groenewald gang rhino poaching case, best known for the recent police seizure of over $7 million in assets.

The Groenewald Case

In September 2010 Dawie Groenewald and 11 associates were arrested for inter alia the illegal trade in rhino horns. Amongst the accused were two wildlife veterinary surgeons of Modimolle, Dr. Karel Toet and Manie Du Plessis.

They were officially charged with 1872 counts including racketeering which makes it one of the biggest wildlife cases in South Africa.

The matter was postponed to the 19th Of October 2012 for the defense counsel to file their request for further particulars, as they had not yet submitted such requests on the previous appearance.

Today an Uncapped Asset Forfeiture order was served on all eleven of the accused in the matter. The order is to the value of R55 million ($624,000) profits or benefit made by the enterprise. All the accused movable and immovable property will be seized and placed under curatorship.

The accused will be asked to explain their income and disclose income.

Successes During the First Quarter 2012

99 persons arrested for rhino related matters countrywide.

January 2012

In January a Zimbabwean citizen Rogers Mukwene was arrested for the illegal possession of three rhino horns in Kameeldrift, Pretoria. During the investigation it became known that he is a convicted rhino poacher in Zimbabwe.

The rhino horns were later traced to a poaching incident at Dinaka Game Reserve in the Mookgopane district two weeks prior to his arrest. Rogers Mukwene’s brother later tried to bribe the investigation officer with R10,000-00 ($1,250) to release Rogers Mukwene on bail.

Rogers Mukwene’s brother was arrested for bribery.

In Thabazimbi, Lucas Malema and Lucas Novela were arrested in an attempt to poach rhino on a game farm. They were found in possession of a 375 hunting rifle as well as a 9mm pistol.

In Assen, Manual Simango, Lucky Boloui, Andries Mhlanga, Mg Ratshivhombelia, Deon Nkozi were arrested for the illegal possession of a 5,57 firearm and 2 x vehicles recovered in a attempt to poach rhino on a game farm.

In Upington, Than Dolwetu Nicolas Mduduma was arrested for the illegal possession of rhino horn.

In Vaalwater Bandam Manyaradzi (Zimbabwian), Goodman Molambo (Zimbabwian) and Oupa Jan Majadibodu were arrested for conspiracy to illegally hunt rhino’s, theft of a fire-arm, theft of a 2-way police radio, unlawful possession of fire arm and ammunition and the unlawful possession of dangerous weapons.

February 2012

In Beestekraal, North West Province, Lucky Selepe, Manhique Eliasse Themba Manyeka a Mozambique citizen, Mathussi Alberto John (a Mozambican citizen) were arrested for attempting to hunt rhino on a game farm. A 3006 rifle and 4 rounds plus an axe were recovered.

In Masoyi, William Lakote, William Shabone and Isaac Fakude and Ciswe Ngobe were arrested in an attempt to hunt rhino in the Kruger National Park. One firearm was recovered.

In Mhala, Jeffrey Hlabana was arrested and one firearm recovered in an attempt to hunt rhino in the Kruger National Park.

In Kabokwene, Elvis Tulani Nonyani and Tholi Jordaan Ndlovu were arrested with a LM5 (223) rifle and 25 rounds in an attempt to hunt rhino in the Kruger National Park.

In Klaserie, Happy Solomon Nyathi, Dlaweleni Joseph Nyalungu and Mafanyani Mario Helton Sibia were arrested with a 375 firearm in an attempt to hunt rhino on a game farm.

In Manyaleti, Abraham Given Nyathi, Dennis Oros Makhubela and Jimmy Mkansi were arrested with a .303 rifle, bow saw and butchers knife in an attempt to hunt rhino on a game farm.

In Assen, Alex Nyatlo, Karaboe Phetoe, Zola Ngijima, Nduduzi Khanile and Lebitia Japie Sedie were arrested in an attempt to hunt rhino on a game farm.

In Pretoriuskop, Abrey Mnisi and Pride Nkuna were arrested with a .30.06 rifle in an attempt to hunt rhino in the Kruger National Park.

In Sabie Sands, Moosa Hlanane, Proby Nyathi, Devine Nyathi and Sam Mlotshwa were arrested in an attempt to hunt rhino on the game reserve.

In Pretoriuskop, Duncan Solomon Mnisi, Doctor Mbuso Ngwenyama, Charles Heartered Mabunda and Tiyani Mabunda were arrested for the illegal hunting of rhino in the Kruger National Park.

In Kempton Park, Hui Chen was arrested for the illegal possession of rhino horn, elephant ivory curios and hippo tusk to the value of R30,000 ($3,740).

In Kempton Park, QiFeng Chen and Han Ji Gui were arrested for dealing in rhino horns in Kempton Park.

March 2012

One on the most prominent and notorious syndicates led by Joseph Naylunga and 8 other was arrested on the 2nd of March 2012 outside Hazyview. During the operation over R5 million rand ($624,000) in cash was seized from his house in Mhulu, hidden in a trunk in his garage. Several firearms, knifes and vehicles were seized from the suspects.

A Chinese syndicate responsible for the buying of rhino horns in Bruma Lake was arrested after the Hawks conducted an undercover operation. 4 Chinese citizens were arrested and charges of racketeering are in the process of formulation. The value of the operation is estimated at R3 Million ($374.400). The accused are still in custody.

In middle March Operation Worthy was conducted by all Interpol countries with the aim to curb rhino horn smuggling. In South Africa a combined effort from The Hawks, Interpol, National Wildlife Crime Reaction Unit, Department of Environmental Affairs, NPA, NATJOINTS and SARS was conducted. Inspections were done at taxidermists, freight agencies, airports, borders, game farms and road blocks were held at key areas and searches were conducted. This has resulted in the arrest of Kevin Cooper for the illegal possession of 15 rhino horns and 6 elephant tusk. 15 homesteads in the Mkuze, Ulundi, Mahlabatini, Melmoth, Ubombo that were linked to rhino poachers were search. R500,000-00 ($62,400) worth of wildlife products were seized, as well as 8 firearms and 8 suspects arrested.

In Bethlehem, Nicolaas Erasmus, Benjamin Coetzee and Stephanus Fourie were arrested for the illegal dealing in two rhino horns. The matter was postponed for bail to the 4 of May 2012.

In Hoopstad Christoffel Jacobus Lombard, Eugine Petrus van der Merwe and William Theuns Jooste were arrested and charged with possession of M99; Illegal entry upon land with a weapon; conspiracy to commit a restricted activity and fraud. The case has been postponed to 25 May 2012 for further investigation.

Convictions

S v Aselmo Baloyi, Jawaki Nkuna and Ishmael Baloyi (Phalaborwa court):

The accused were convicted and sentenced as follows namely illegal hunting of rhino, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment; possession of automatic fire-arm, sentenced to 15 years imprisonment; possession of a hunting rifle, sentenced to 8 years imprisonment and possession of ammunitions, sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

The effective sentence imposed on 31 January 2012 was 25 years imprisonment as the sentences on count 2 to 4 run concurrently. No application for leave to appeal was made.

S v Phi Hung Nguyen (Kempton Park court):

This accused, a male Vietnamese citizen was sentenced in August 2011 to 6 years imprisonment for possession of 6 horns and 2 years imprisonment for contraventions in terms of the Customs and Excise Act. The effective sentence imposed was 8 years imprisonment.

On 8 March 2012 the appeal against the sentence was dismissed by the South Gauteng High Court and the imposed sentence was confirmed.

 S v Duc Manh Chu (Kempton Park Court):

This accused is also a Vietnamese citizen who was sentenced in August 2011to 10 years imprisonment for possession of 12 rhino horns and 2 years imprisonment for contraventions in terms of the Customs and Excise Act. The effective sentence imposed was 12 years imprisonment.

On 13 March 2012 the appeal against the sentence was dismissed by the South Gauteng High Court and the imposed sentence was confirmed.

S v Els (Musina court):

Els is a game trader in Thabazimbi who pleaded guilty earlier this year to the illegal buying, possessing and conveying of 30 rhino horns which he bought from the late Mr Tommy Fourie who had committed suicide. Fourie was the manager at the Maremani Nature Reserve belonging to a Danish Consortium. Rhino were dehorned and the horns sold to Els. Els also dehorned his own rhino and illegally conveyed these 8 horns.

On 13 March 2012 Els was sentenced to ten years imprisonment of which 2 years suspended for 5 years (iro the 30 horns). He was further sentenced to 4 years imprisonment wholly suspended (iro the other 8 horns) as well as repayment of R100,000-00 ($12,480) per month for the next 10 months to the NWCRU to assist in rhino research. Leave to appeal against the sentence was granted and bail pending appeal increased to R300,000-00 ($37,440).

S v Siguaque(Mokopane court):

Accused was convicted earlier this year for illegal hunting of a rhino as well as trespassing on a farm in Moogapong. On 13 March 2012 the accused was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for illegal hunting and 1 year imprisonment for trespassing to be served simultaneously.

Summary regarding convictions:

The above convictions highlight successes during 2012. However for the period February 2011 to March 2012 convictions followed in 8 cases for the illegal possession of rhino horns, convictions were obtained in 4 cases for the illegal dealing in rhino horns and convictions for the illegal hunting of rhinos were obtained in 6 cases.

In only 8 of these cases were the accused sentenced to a fine. However in 12 of these cases the accused were sentenced to direct imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Only 7 accused had been acquitted during this period.

Court roll status

Currently 57 cases are on the court roll in which 161 accused are charged. 65 of these accused are held in custody while 84 accused have been released on bail.

]]> http://www.nikela.org/blog/rhino-poaching-what-the-law-is-doing-to-stop-it/feed 0 http://www.nikela.org/blog/war-calls-us-to-arms-for-the-rhino http://www.nikela.org/blog/war-calls-us-to-arms-for-the-rhino#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 18:10:57 +0000 Wildlife Margrit http://www.nikela.org/?p=4097 WAR, Warriors for African Rhino, initiates campaign to save the endangered rhino in South Africa, please sign the petition, get your SA embassy involved, send a letter and get President Zuma to lead the charge.

This morning we received an urgent plea to arms from our friends at WAR [Warriors for African Rhino] to join the campaign to get signatures for the Avaaz petition to save the Rhino.

What is AVAAZ? Avaaz is a global web movement to bring people-powered politics to decision-making everywhere. Basically to get those in power to take the action the people want to bring about the change needed for a better world.

This effort is possibly the biggest hope to sway the SA government to stop the poaching and save the rhino, so if you’ve not signed the petition please do, thanks.

What WAR members have already done is send letters (and you are invited to do the same, please use this sample) to respective South African embassies, to request pressure be exerted on the South African government, and President Zuma in particular, to lead the charge to save the rhino from the onslaught by poachers.

These poaching attacks are not made by local folk who are starving, but by crime syndicates engaged in illegal wildlife trafficking. We’re told the very same traffickers involved in the gun, drugs and human sex slave trade.

Over 200 rhino have no been poached in South Africa this year alone, that means if this trend is not stopped around 600 will die  this year. That’s not counting the unborn calves or live calves that perish when their mothers are killed.

WWF (World Wildlife Fund) recently expressed great concern over the repeated delays by the South African courts in prosecuting alleged poachers. Even when poachers are apprehended (122), few are being brought to trial and even fewer prosecuted and imprisoned. Therefor, the usual deterrent of stiff sentences are missing, so the poaching continues like a free for all.

Here’s what you can do to help:

1. Sign the petition
2. Grab the letter and send it to your local SA embassy
3. Share this blog post via Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you so much for taking up arms and joining us and WAR to save the African rhino.

Can you see it now? Stockyards along the highway filled with lions, rhino and who knows what next!

Picture this: Lions squeezed into a stockyard or chicken coop style enclosure fed just the right calcium solution, and dose of antibiotics of course, to make their bones grow just right and ready for “harvesting”? Humanely they will not be packed into an over-loaded transporter and taken to the slaughter house. No, they will most likely be “released” on to “game reserves” and offered to the highest bidder for trophy hunting.

Not only will the lions bring in revenue from the trophy hunter to the tune of thousands of dollars for its head, possibly penis, tail and skin, but his bones will be sold off to Asia for another several thousand dollars for tea and whatever else their traditions say lion bones are good for.

Is this what the world is coming to? Are we expanding our reach to include wildlife in our quest to make a fortune? Isn’t it enough that we already do this to cattle, chickens, turkeys and pigs?

Has South Africa and the world gone mad? Why are so many selling out? Selling their souls to organized crime and illegal trafficking! What happened to earning a decent living where everyone (including the environment) wins? Greed, the craving for more than we need, is an age old addiction.

This is not a time where the adage, “If you can’t beat them join them” is a good idea. With the population and wealth of China exploding the appetite for lion bones, rhino horns and other wildlife body parts is only going to grow, and do so way beyond the ability to supply. So curb the end user, tame the hungry beast. Tough job? Yes of course, however, this feeding into a dysfunctional system is frightening, and time is a wasting. Time, energy and resources that could be spent changing the attitude and minds of the end users or at least blocking access to the “products” in South Africa (namely the wildlife.)

Let’s not allow those with the power to wield money enslave South Africa’s wildlife and in turn its people. Speak out! Share this and get involved where you can to stop wildlife from becoming anything but wild.

Below is the article that triggered the above…

Rhino packed tighter than pigs in transport carrier going off to market to have their horns sawn off

South Africa should push for a “decent” and “responsible” trade in lion bones to feed the surging demand in Asia, or risk losing its wild lion populations to poaching in the future.

“There is a market, a need, for lion body parts and this will grow in exactly the same manner as the market for ivory and rhino horn has grown,” remarked Dr Herman Els, the manager of hunting and conservation at the SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association.

“To continue denying the fact that there’s a market for rhino horn and lion bone continues to let prices be sky high, because these commodities become scarcer.”

Lion bones are sought as a replacement for tiger bones used in traditional Asian medicine like tiger brew wine because of the demise in the region’s tiger populations.

“The Chinese believe there’s a medicinal value attached to these animal parts and will continue to use them,” said Els. “It doesn’t help to fight the Chinese. They’re part of a cultural system that is older than 3 000 years. To say they must change their ways, well, that’s imperialism,” said Els.

He said any market that supported the farming of lions in SA to trade in Asia would help eradicate canned lion hunting. “All lion hunting is not canned hunting, which happens in small instances… There has been a big drive in the industry to clean up these types of things. That it’s a big industry, that’s true, it is growing and is financially very intensive.

“In terms of hunting ranched lion, there’s always a massive advantage to have that hunting rather than the hunting of a wild lion. We already have poaching of lion in the northern section of the Kruger National Park.

“If you don’t do a decent responsible trade in a similar vein as De Beers did to get blood diamonds out the system, we will not achieve the situation we want to where massive prices for these commodities come down. Let’s not forget these animals are commodities just like gold, eggs, chicken.”

But conservationist Karen Trendler, the co-ordinator of the Rhino Response Strategy, said this was frightening. “When lion bone was first mentioned, everyone nearly fell off their chairs and expressed revulsion and horror.

“Now it is being discussed in the same vein as rhino horn and the debate on whether and how to supply the market. It is becoming more mainstream and unacceptable… We don’t know what this market is, it’s going into a bottomless pit.”

The intensive farming of lions for their bones would lead to many “unpleasant practices”, she said. “In spite of the fact many of us don’t like canned hunting, those lions, even if they are captive bred in welfare conditions we don’t like to see, still have to be in a decent condition for the hunt, whereas once you start farming lion for bone, as is happening with Chinese tiger farming, the conditions are appalling. They just want the bones.”

An experienced hunter and conservationist in Mpumalanga, who didn’t want to be named, said there was dissension within the hunting sector. “There is a contentious element that is completely against canned hunting, legalising rhino horn and any form of (farming) lion bone. There’s a bunch of us still so devoted to true, fair chase hunting. That hunting has a place in society.

“What they are now turning our hunting into is form of farming, intensive breeding and it’s becoming a business. We are opposed to turning our rhino into cows and our lion into bones.”

- Saturday Star

http://m.iol.co.za/article/view/e/1.1285603

Jess, another Nikela Volunteer is going to South Africa! She will be delivering a donation check to one of our projects, namely Shannon’s bird of prey center. We have 14 days before Jess leaves and would like to add another $1,000 to the gift and of course invite you to participate.

Nestled on the crest of the rolling hills outside of Pietermaritzburg, KZN in South Africa lies a magical place. A space, where 200 injured raptors are brought and more than half nursed back to health by the gifted hands and heart of Ben Hoffman. Those few that cannot be returned to the wilds for whatever reason find safe haven right next door, in Shannon’s sanctuary, where these beautiful birds become ambassadors for their species as students, families and tourists visit this magical place on the crest of the hill.

Here Shannon partners with YBK (a Yellow Billed Kite), Chicken (a Lanner Falcon), Maverick (a Goshawk) and others to put on an amazing flight display to delight and educate visitors to the Sanctuary. Young and old alike leave with a deepened appreciation and connection to these spectacular birds and their role in nature as the predators of the skies.

Shannon and Ben are a husband wife team who dedicate their lives and talents to the preserving of these frequently misunderstood birds. South Africa has around 80 different species of raptors. Some of these falcons, hawks, owls, kites and yes, even vultures are unique to Africa and if lost here, will be lost to the world.

Sadly local myths plague these birds making them subject to illegal capture, poisoning and abuse. Myths such as sniffing the dried brains of a vulture will let you pick the winning lottery numbers. Or that seeing an owl spells certain death on a family member are not uncommon among the locals.

Shannon’s daily flight shows do much to dispel these myths and create an awareness of these birds true worth and place in our planet’s ecosystem, however, many more children and adults need to experience the silent wings of an owl almost touching their hair, Maverick swooping in close to find his “prey”, or lose sight of Chicken as he takes off across the valley at top speed.

You help Shannon and her feathered partners save South Africa’s raptors by bringing in less fortunate students who otherwise could not come, the ones who need to understand the most, when you make a donation, especially if you join the PB’nJ club and give $7 monthly.

]]> http://www.nikela.org/blog/another-nikela-volunteer-heads-for-sa-with-donation-check/feed 0 http://www.nikela.org/rhino/how-i-save-wildlife-%e2%80%93-skydiving http://www.nikela.org/rhino/how-i-save-wildlife-%e2%80%93-skydiving#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:37:29 +0000 Wildlife Margrit http://www.nikela.org/?p=4066 Micah van Schalkwyk skydives to save endangered rhino from poaching, wildlife trafficking, illegal trade, fundraising.

Micah van Schalkwyk is an amazing young women who though deathly afraid of skydiving, does it anyway to raise funds to stop rhino poaching. Here is her story…

Five Skydives for Rhino

I  will never forget the day one of my dearest friends (and supervisor at the African Conservation Trust) asked me if I wanted to skydive to raise money for rhinos. My initial answer went something along the lines of, “Absolutely not, you must be mad!”. However, the combination of ‘peer pressure’ and the horrific images of slaughtered rhino that kept inundating our social media changed my mind. Make no mistake though – I was still terrified!

Three months later, on a misty morning at Durban Skydive Centre, 40 of us took this giant leap of faith. In those three months we had managed to raise R500 000 in support. That morning was one of the best of my life: I was surrounded by people who were as passionately concerned for the survival of this iconic species as I was, and the energy and camaraderie of the day was incredible.

The tandem skydive was exhilarating! I screamed myself hoarse through 30 seconds of free-fall at 220km/h but once the parachute opened and we started gliding down to earth, my ears were filled with an almost divine silence. Needless to say, I can’t wait to do it again!

This year, we’re raising the bar and taking the campaign national. Skydive for Rhinos 2012 aims to raise R10million for rhino conservation. The core of the campaign aims to see at least 448 people (one for every rhino killed in 2011) tandem skydive at five drop-zones across South Africa. Other fundraising aspects include: cause marketing and business partnerships, EISH! T-shirt sales, sports activities and social media.

This massive, and sometimes rather intimidating goal, is the result of the dire need for funding and support for rhino anti-poaching work in South Africa. I am proud to live in a country so abundant in its wildlife and wilderness areas. I have always loved the bush – the stillness; the buzz of unseen life before sunset; the magnificence of its creatures. It is harsh and unforgiving yet harmonious and so at peace: unlike life in the city. So it is heart-breaking when part of your national identity is so brutally eradicated at the rate of one rhino every 14 hours.

Source: Tina LLabres

As I write this, under a full African moon (or ‘poacher’s moon’ as it is now being referred to) I think of every rhino – so mighty, yet so powerless. I think of all the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting this species. And I am reminded of why I do what I do…

I strongly believe that Africa’s spirit lies in its people and its wilderness. I have seen the unrelenting attitude of the guys on the ground, heard the upsurge of concern from the public and have felt the whisper of something greater blowing in the night breeze. We cannot let our spirit die.

I urge every person who reads this to join the campaign. I am your Skydive for Rhinos Jumper Liaison and am here to assist all ‘Rhino Skydivers’ in raising their sponsorship and making the most of the experience.

My personal goal is to skydive five times this year and raise at least R25 000. Please visit my Activist profile on GivenGain to sponsor me; your support is most appreciated:

Please read the Skydive for Rhinos’ ‘On the Front Line’ story here.

We are currently working on a new website but for now please visit us here or on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @RhinoSkydiver or @ACTsafrica

It was with great anticipation that I awaited this afternoon. You see Maggie just returned from her trip to South Africa and had much to share with me about her time with Karin at her primate center. Let me start at the beginning.

“Can I do anything for Nikela while in South Africa?” Maggie asked. Maggie a longtime supporter of Nikela was off to visit an old friend and experience his conservation work, which happened to be close to one of the experts we support, I was elated.

A little over a month later Maggie not only delivered a donation check to Karin for her primate center, but also spent a week volunteering there. Maggie got to see Karin in action, working with injured and orphaned monkeys and dealing with irate farmers.

In South Africa baboons and vervet monkeys are treated like pests, so they are shot, poisoned and snared in an attempt to get rid of them. Maggie tells the story of witnessing such a shooting and hearing the threats.

In what’s left of the indigenous Knysna forest in her area farms keep expanding and Karin provides an oasis for a wild troop of baboons as well as around 40 other monkeys, some in rehab while the unreleasable ones call the center home.

We’re all very aware of the war waged against the rhino, with at least 160 poached already this year, however, we hear little of the daily struggle for survival of South Africa’s baboons and vervet monkeys. There aren’t over 150 organizations focused on them, there is not price on their nose, they are just quietly being snared, poisoned, shot or hit by vehicles travelling down the hiways.

Karin, with the help of volunteers truly is the primates champion and we’re thrilled that Maggie will be sharing her personal experiences with us as soon as she’s over her jet lag and gotten back into her life here in the USA.

A little every months is what helps Karin and her monkeys most.

]]> http://www.nikela.org/blog/karin-saks-primate-champion-despite-the-odds/feed 0 http://www.nikela.org/blog/nikela-news-rhinos-lions-poachers-and-a-vet http://www.nikela.org/blog/nikela-news-rhinos-lions-poachers-and-a-vet#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:33:07 +0000 Wildlife Margrit http://www.nikela.org/?p=4033 Wildlife trafficking, rhino poaching, heroes, poachers, SA government, LA and New York. What do they all have in common?

To bring you the latest news, stories and videos here are two brief clips discussing two broad topics:

“What’s Happening to Africa’s Rhino?” and “Wildlife Trafficking: Who Does it? Who Allows it?”

This covers the latest Rhino News, from the South African Governments official statement on the Rhino Crisis, a new huge wildlife conservation area involving 5 countries (notably not South Africa), a controversy over selling rhino horn powder in the new reserve! Several arrest reports and the sad tale of Themba, his vet Dr. Fowlds and the race to save this rhino after a brutal poaching attack.

These and more stories about the African rhinos.

To read the articles and watch the videos visit:

“What’s Happening to Africa’s Rhino?”

Following the animal poaching trail, with stories from New York to Malaysia and Africa to California.

Wildlife body parts, tusks, horns, bones, pelts and other more are smuggled across borders and sold for huge profits in the form of daggers, handbags, shoes, coats, rugs and medicines.

The wildlife illegal trafficking trade is the third largest money maker for organized crime, running close behind drugs and guns on the international black market.

To read the articles visit:

“Wildlife Trafficking: Who Does it? Who Allows it?”

]]> http://www.nikela.org/blog/nikela-news-rhinos-lions-poachers-and-a-vet/feed 0 http://www.nikela.org/blog/is-south-africa-for-sale http://www.nikela.org/blog/is-south-africa-for-sale#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:10:19 +0000 Wildlife Margrit http://www.nikela.org/?p=4008 Rhino poaching runs rampant, about 150 dead rhino this year. SANParks and the South African government fail to stop wildlife trafficking, illegal trade of endangered rhino.

The Parliamentary Rhino Hearings. SANParks pulls out when about 50% of the rhino’s poached are occurring in South Africa’s premier game reserve, the famous Kruger National Park. The Parliamentary Rhino Hearings are largely attended by private organizations and individual animal rights activists. Where is the South African government? Isn’t this attack on Africa’s rhino by the syndicates (wildlife trafficking or illegal trade) a matter of national concern?

The Rhino Summit. Again SANParks can’t come and the summit falls apart. Falls apart as though the alarming numbers of rhino being poached (at the rate of 1.6 per day) is not of utmost importance!

One of South Africa’s famous Big Five is being slaughtered for its horn which is trafficked to Asia. Is South Africa willing to down grade to the Big Four?

Okay, so the South African army is called in to patrol the Kruger National Park. That seemed promising at last the rhino had some defense. However, there appears to be no reduction in rhino poaching. Actually reports suggest that the soldiers only work by day and party by night! Now, isn’t that when the poachers are most active?

What’s going on? Three situations where SANParks and the South African government should be leading the war against rhino poaching and their track record…

A very small percent of poachers are apprehended and an even smaller amount ever sentenced to prison for their atrocious crimes.

Must we conclude then that South Africa is for sale? What else is being sold off like the rhino? Are we all missing something much larger going on here?

With rhino horn worth as much as cocaine on the streets in Asia, the rhino has become a mere commodity. The commodity of choice it seems for many engaged in illegal trafficking. It appears that those in power in South Africa, those who are appointed to save the rhino are the very same who have sold out, otherwise why wouldn’t they be doing absolutely everything in their power to save the rhino, both the endangered black rhino and the soon to be endangered again, white rhino.

Nikela sent a letter to the Director of SANParks asking how we might be of help, showing our confidence that in the system, suggesting they knew what they were doing and would take charge and protect the largest rhino population in South Africa. Well, besides a very polite acknowledgement of receipt of our letter, nothing.

Now, at Nikela when we get offers to help we gratefully put people to work. There are funds to raise, research to be done, blog posts to be written, social networking to be done, just to name a few tasks. So it is beyond me that Nikela’s offer to help, and that of other organizations are not embraced with gusto.

The only way I can explain this horrible predicament the rhino is in, is that South Africa is for sale. What is going to happen once the rhino is all gone? Who’s next? Well, the experts tell me that the leopards, lions, elephants and others are already being targeted. What about the human impact? The human impoverishment when anything can be bought for a price?

Every day I wake up dreading to see how many rhino were attacked and killed for their horn by poachers involved in Illegal wildlife trafficking. The death toll is now over 135 rhinos dead in South Africa alone.

We’re only 81 days into 2012, that means 1.6 rhino die each day. If this rate continues we will lose close to 600 rhino this year, bringing the losses since 2007 (five year period) to around 1,500 rhino. With only a few thousand of the black and white rhino left… we’re losing the battle.

Over the past months the rate of arrests seems to have increased, which we applaud. However, the conviction rate remains extremely low (4 out of 48 arrests.) It appears that a number of factors play into this sad reality.

After all, nobody disputes that rhino poaching is illegal. Then what’s going wrong? What’s happening in the South African courts system? Why are poachers slipping through the fingers of the hard working anti-poaching rangers and the law enforcement folk who lay their lives on the line to stop the poaching?

It appears that technicalities are really killing the rhino!

Things such as:

• Lack of skill and understanding of how to effectively gather evidence and protect a crime scene after a poaching attack.
• Assure the necessary people are in place in the court room, like translators and other experts to bring justice to bear.
• Lack of adequate coverage as anti-poaching rangers only have jurisdiction on the game ranch or reserve where they are employed, not the adjoining bush.
• Law enforcement that’s in way over their head as they are not adequately trained in dealing with organized crime tactics and strategies.
• Shortage of equipment necessary to be effective; like surveillance, radar, web cams, helicopters, fire power and such to appropriately apprehend poachers before they strike.

There are surely many other tactical, technical and strategic issues that contribute to the continued rhino poaching epidemic, and that’s without addressing the issues of corruption and bribery associated with organized crime and illegal wildlife trafficking.

The message?

Let’s unite (from all around the planet) and pull together to help those who work so diligently on the ground every day to save and protect South Africa’s rhino.

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