Rhino Poachers

[PeteG]

I know this is off the topic of Rhino Poaching but thought i would add it in here anyway as its related to poaching in general.

ZAWA scouts have picked up 4 poachers in Tondwa GMA in Zambia, caught red handed with 100's of snares and some game including the remains of 9 Sable in their camp!
At least some progress is being made.

Hard to accept the decisions to ban hunting when the meat of 1 Sable is sold for K400 which is approximately US$ 65. Most of the poached game meat apparently heads north to the Congo border.

Think of the cost of a 5 day Sable hunt, that must be pushing $10k+.

 

[BRICKBURN]

On that note, I hate to think of the devastation that is occurring in CAR. "Bush Meat" as a means of fundraising for a war. At those rates I can't imagine much wildlife will escape.

 

[adgunner]

Brick,
Saw that first hand in the Congo. Bushmeat hunting being used to found rebel groups such as the M23, it takes a horrible toll on the game and worse yet the local population gets dragged into it by the armed rebels. Very sad.

 

[PeteG]

At those rates I can't imagine much wildlife will escape.

Brick, unfortunately I doubt much will survive at the rates these people decimate animal populations.

adgunner,
I'm sure the local villagers are used to poach for them as they know the area's better than the rebels/armies, then the villager gets caught and prosecuted, the rebels/armies simply get someone else to carry on.
Its a losing battle in certain areas, i'm sure CAR is one of them for now.

 

[rooihond]

Unfortunately, the research by anti's doesn't extend this far into the problem. Good thing that hunting dollars can still help other areas. The thought of hunters protecting wildlife is unpalatable and unacceptable to the uninformed. The majority of the fight may have to be fought through anti-poaching units and direct action to cripple rebel groups. A lot of this would only happen after hunting is shut down and poaching gets a strong foothold(like in the examples above). Fighting terrorism is incidental to all of this but it may be the "marketable" approach. Too bad it is unbelievable to most that we need hunting dollars right next to non-hunting tourism and direct action.

 

[CarrieZylka]

During my recent trip to Africa, some rhinos(no hunt animals) were targeted by poachers in SA. I will not get into specifics but the rhinos were protected and the poachers were repelled for over a week. The response to the poachers was immediate and significant. The tracking skill that I observed during this time was exceptional. The commitment that I observed by all of those placing their lives on the line was beyond ordinary.

Kudos to the ones doing the repelling. That is awesome to know they stood strong. Such a shame they even had to.

 

[35bore]

it would be a booked out season , for sure .

I would have too say, it would hopefully turn Kenya around. The tags would be abundant.

 

[rooihond]

Kudos to the ones doing the repelling. That is awesome to know they stood strong. Such a shame they even had to.

It was an interesting experience with some dedicated conservationists. They have done some hard conservation work in the past, even if it meant being initially misinterpreted. They had little or no tactical experience but certainly showed outdoorsmanship and dedication. People with various skills(from considerable distances) were brought into the fold and added to the effort.
The experience confirmed what we speak about regularly. Hunters are good caretakers of wildlife.

 

[CarrieZylka]

Hunters are good caretakers of wildlife.

They really are and its a shame these unsung heroes aren't in the spotlight more, I don't see any PETA folks out there protecting these animals with their blood and sweat.
Thanks so much for sharing.

 

[CarrieZylka]

rooihond - I have a question I don't want to post here, your profile is locked down - will you message me?

Not trying to sound creepy LOL

 

[rooihond]

Ok. I wasn't aware that it was locked, or could be locked.