Rhino poaching

22 September 2010 (daily sun)

TWO veterinarians, one of their wives and a game farmer and his wife were among nine people arrested by cops on suspicion of rhino poaching.
The two vets, who were well-known in Modimolle and owned an animal clinic and a wildlife organisation, were allegedly involved in catching and transporting game.
They were arrested in early- morning raids on Monday atModimolle, Polokwane and Musina and will appear in the Musina Magistrates Court today to face charges relating to breaching regulations governing the protection of wildlife.
More than 200 rhinos have been killed in South Africa so far this year to supply a demand from the Far East for powdered rhino horn which stupid old men believe increases their sexual potency.
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo told Daily Sun that the nine were believed to be part of a rhino poaching ring responsible for killing hundreds of rhino.
Naidoo said: “These arrests were the result of a joint operation by the Hawks, SA National Parks, the National Prosecuting Authority and aviation authorities and no further arrests have been made as yet.”
Spokesman for rhino conservation agency Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce (Traffic), Tom Milliken, said: “This was not happening years ago,” he said, adding that the rise in rhino poaching was due to the growing Asian presence in Africa.”
Tomorrow marks the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) first “Make a noise for rhino day”.
Apart from blowing vuvuzelas and tooting car hooters on that day the WWF encourages people to make donations at www.wwf.org.za, which would be used to buy anti-poaching equipment for guards, including binoculars, radios, night-vision gear, body armour and tracking devices. – SAPA