rhino poaching Archives - Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

Rhino poaching drop may mean we’re running out of rhinos

Oct 2, 2018 · by Nikela Volunteer/Guest blogger · In: Animal Poaching, Nikela Blog, rhino, rhino poaching Tagged: Conservation Action Trust, Department of Environmental Affairs, rhino poaching

A strategic report on poaching just released by the Department of Environmental Affairs shows a rhino poaching drop, and that fewer rhinos and more elephants are being killed. Of concern, however, is what the report leaves out. Until August this year, 506 rhinos were poached in South Africa, 333 in the Kruger National Park. That’s 185 fewer than the same period last year. At the same time poaching incursions into KNP increased from 1 702 last year to 1 873 this year. Taken together – higher incursions and fewer kills – it’s bad news, meaning there are fewer and fewer…

Meet the Anti-Poaching Helicopters in Kruger National Park

Sep 18, 2018 · by Russ · In: #NikelaAfrica, Animal Poaching, Poaching, rhino Tagged: anti-poaching, endangered species, illegal trade, rhino, rhino calf, rhino poaching, wildlife trafficking

Tell me, what do Warren Buffett, Asian syndicates, and Rhino horn have in common? Anti-Poaching helicopters! And the war on Rhino poaching in the Kruger NP South Africa. Recently we got a glimpse into this important aspect of the war. A good friend Sheila of ‘Dance To Be Wild’ fame introduced us to Byron and his young family located on the front lines in Kruger. They are living the dream. Howard Buffett, Warren’s son, donated $24 million in 2014 to help stem the tide of Rhino poaching. Part of which bought and outfitted anti-poaching helicopters to transport rangers and wounded…

Orphaned rhino calves: Good and Bad news from the bush

Mar 28, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Animal Poaching, Nikela Blog, rhino, rhino calf, rhino poaching Tagged: Baby rhino, Natalie Rogers, orphaned rhino calves, rhino poaching, Rhino Revolution

“How are things with the orphaned rhino calves” “Well, there’s good and bad news” Natalie Rogers with Rhino Revolution replied. The Good News The five post release orphaned rhino calves “are doing fantastically”. On March 31st, 2017 we visited the rhino orphanage to make a donation. Natalie kindly spent an hour showing us around and explaining the challenging work of saving orphaned rhino calves. [Read/Watch our visit with Natalie] [Get a glimpse of what these tiny babies go through read “Through the eyes of a rhino calf”.] Then last spring the five were ready to leave the orphanage and move…

A visit with Vet Nurse Natalie who raises orphaned rhino calves

Jan 3, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: #NikelaAfrica, Animal Poaching, Illegal trade, Nikela Blog, Poaching, rhino calf, rhino poaching, wildlife conservation Tagged: Natalie Rogers, rhino calves, rhino orphange, rhino poaching

Heartbreaking yet rewarding work to raise orphaned rhino calves whose mothers are brutally killed by poachers in South Africa. “You can deliver it yourself if you like.” “Really?!” We were at Patrick Jordan’s office in Hoedspruit with 10,000 ZAR for the rhino orphanage. Rhino orphanages are not open to the public. For one, these traumatized rhino calves are kept away from unnecessary human contact. The goal is to return them to the wild once old enough. Secondly, keeping these young ones safe is top priority. With rhino poaching running rampant in South Africa even rhino calves with tiny horns are…

Why Legalizing the Rhino Horn Trade Seems To Be More About Money Than Conservation

Aug 30, 2017 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Ecosystem, Nikela Blog, rhino, rhino poaching, wildlife conservation Tagged: farming rhino, John Hume, legalized rhino horn trade, Natalie Rogers, Peter Milton, rhino horn, rhino horn trade, rhino poaching

The debate regarding legalizing the rhino horn trade has raged for a while now. It first raised its head as a solution to end the relentless poaching of rhino for their horn. Rhino horn, especially wild rhino horn, is highly prized in some Asian countries. For ages it was used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Some believed it would cure anything from cancer to the common cold. However, in recent years it has become more of a status symbol for the new rich. Owning a rhino horn is probably not unlike owning a Rolex watch in the western world. However, this…