Kevin Bewick, Anti Poaching Intelligence Group Southern Africa, Brian Sandberg, advocate for Africa, rhino horn illegal trafficking, Pelham Jones, Lead South Africa’s Rhino Action Group, Michael Sas Rolfes, Johannesberg economist.
Some things never change!
“Follow the money” and you’ll get at the heart of most issues. The simplicity yet complexity of the fight to save the rhino is no different.
Simple: Those who produce traditional Chinese medicines make tons of money selling worthless pills to gullible “victims” who’ve for centuries been convinced that rhino horn cures a wide assortment of ailments.
So, the producers of these medicines are the bad guys, right? Of course they are, however, when we take a closer look it gets more complicated.
Complex: Through out the ages “discovering gold” has brought a rush of opportunists to “claim their stake”. The huge profits to be made with rhino horn is no different. At every level along the way from the actual poacher to the trafficker, rhino owners to veterinarians and anyone in any way associated with the rhino is at risk for catching the “bug” of making big money.
Now of course, not all succumb, however, we keep finding that the most unlikely sometimes do. Sometimes cannot resist the temptation despite the devastation to the entire rhino species in South Africa.
With that in mind, here is the latest news…
From Kevin Bewick with Anti Poaching Intelligence Group Southern Africa (Please note: Nikela is merely reporting this and is not responsible for its accuracy)
Research conducted over the last year in South Africa has indicated, that trading in rhino horn is not supported by majority of South African conservationists.
But is statements by Michael Sas Rolfes, (Johannesberg Economist), and private rhino owners Chairman Pelham – Jones are part of a larger campaign to try and garner support for trade of rhino to Eastern markets.
Disinformation and untrue statements are featured in the Massive Campaign. South African conservationist’s would like rhino horns to remain on rhino. And the vast majority do not support trade in any manner or form.
Calls are being made by a very small group of rhino horn speculators, who are desperate to trade their horns while prices are sky-high. Private Rhino Owners Association, also claim to be the sole representatives of the rhino, another untrue statement.
Advocate for Africa, Brian Sandberg recently made this comment (read entire article):
…Pelham Jones is a director of Lead SA’s Rhino Action Group. He is a private rhino owner and chairman of the Private Rhino Owners Association.
It is estimated that 66%-75% of all rhino ownership vests with the state. A substantial majority of private rhino owners do not even belong to the association because of its fundamental stance on legalising rhino horn trade.
This anomaly means that Mr Jones, who is an ardent rhino-horn trade promoter, often speaks officially for Lead SA, via many Independent Newspapers national papers and radio stations within the partnership, on critical, national issues of rhino security…
What you think?
Conflict of interest?
Are these folks simply standing next to the gold strike or are they, with pan in hand, dipping and swishing?
The recent surge in rhino poaching can be traced directly to SA’s push to trade in rhino, and to KNP’s large sale-off of rhino to private game farms. The trade in rhino horn has fuelled the poaching,and will continue to do so. The claim that legalizing the trade will end the poaching is not reflected by the facts wrt ivory poaching – as soon as there is a legal trade, the poachers ride piggy back – there will NEVER be enough ivory or rhino horn to satisfy burgeoning markets that come with a legalized trade, and so prices will never be low enough to deter poachers. Add to that the fact that Rhino owners will try to INCREASE the price of rhino horn by keeping it scarce (otherwise they will go out of business of the price is low) and you have a toxic mix that will fuel poaching. In addition, there is so much corruption in SA that it’ll be impossible to distinguish legal from illegal rhino horn.
OUR RHINO SHOULD NOT BE HELD TO RANSOM BY A FEW GREEDY FARMERS WITH VESTED INTERESTS.
Thank you for this information Elisa