South African rangers kill two rhino poachers in Kruger National Park

[enysse]

Hank2211, summed it up perfectly.

 

[gpelkhunter]

Actually, I think there are lot of people to blame for this event, and the poachers and Asians are but two in a long chain of people who should bear responsibility for unnecessary human deaths and the poaching of these animals. In order of importance, in my opinion:

1. CITES, which, against all evidence that bans don't work, continues to insist on a ban in the trade in Rhino horn. This is the causa sine qua non (I never get to use Latin!) of the rhino crisis today.

2. Poaching syndicates, who take advantage of poverty and otherwise criminal people to make enormous amounts of money for themselves with almost no risk.

3. Governments in Africa which also continue to insist on bans and won't allocate the resources to properly protect those animals which they refuse to give a value to, even though it would be a simple matter to de-horn rhino and sell the horns.

4. Governments around the world, particularly the US, which continue to support failed wildlife management strategies for emotional (or political, which is often the same thing), rather than logical, reasons (gee, it's working so well for elephants, let's copy that experience with rhino . . .oh wait, it isn't working there either).

5. Anti-hunting organizations, which have no incentive to stop the rhino poaching, and every incentive to have it continue, since every animal death - and the more brutal the better - results in more opportunities for fund raising, almost none of which is ever spent to help animals or those who live with them.

6. Poachers, most of whom are nothing more than common criminals. Even having said that, we don't believe that the penalty for poaching an animal in North America should be death, yet we seem to think that poaching an animal in Africa should be death.

7. Poverty, which might drive some of the poachers to risk their lives for these animals (I say might because many, if not most, are just criminals), but most importantly, results in local populations believing that the world values the lives of animals more than their lives or the lives of their children (Cecil, anyone?) and thus makes them more receptive to the existence of poaching.

8. Asians, who create a market for this essentially useless product. I put them last, not because they aren't culpable, but because there are lots of essentially useless products for sale in the world today, and we let those sales go on. Making money on the backs of misguided people is just fine, so long as it doesn't involve an animal we might want to save. If you thought that buying a rhino horn would cure your loved one of cancer, what would you do? We see this every day with fake cancer cures in North America, and we don't criminalize the people who believe in such nonsense. We don't call them "idiots." We call them "vulnerable.' But I guess it's different when it's Asians who believe in this nonsense.

Yes, as hunters we bear a special responsibility in the fight against poaching. But with respect Mr. Melcher, the laws you speak of haven't worked in the past. We don't need more. We need different.

Thanks Hank2211, valuable information on what needs to be done, need a way to get the governments to listen to change! As noted, lots of poachers all over the world, need stiff penalties that fit this crime, but death is not one of them. Murderers, rapists, human smugglers we put in jail and yet some here are celebrating the death of a another human.
Do you know that person's life situation, do not judge others unless you have walked a mile in their shoes.

 

[TallGrassHunter]

There is really only one thing holding a Chinese or anyone else from farming rino horn, tiger gallbladder or whatever else they think will give them wood; public opinion. I'm sure if there wasn't pressure put on the government someone would be breeding all the rino horn they could sell. There is no shortage of cows or chickens where I live.

 

[BRICKBURN]

...............
6. Poachers, most of whom are nothing more than common criminals. Even having said that, we don't believe that the penalty for poaching an animal in North America should be death, yet we seem to think that poaching an animal in Africa should be death. ...............

Only when the boys start shooting first. (As they did in this case.)

The Poacher starts shooting first here (at home) I have zero qualms with the Officers protecting themselves and shooting to kill.

 

[Hank2211]

Only when the boys start shooting first. (As they did in this case.)

The Poacher starts shooting first here (at home) I have zero qualms with the Officers protecting themselves and shooting to kill.

Agree 100% Brickburn. Once you open fire, you should expect the full force of those you are shooting at to descend upon you. And if you end up dead, then you have no one to blame but yourself.

Having said that - that's not what many of these posts suggest . . . which is, in my view, unfortunate.

 

[Bruce]

GREAT stuff... hope this leads to many more and puts a real deterrent on these poachers!

 

[35bore]

I find it distasteful to celebrate the death of a human being.

No offense, but I would rather celebrate the death of two POS than mourn the loss of two rangers. There was an exchange of gunfire, they got what they deserved...

 

[BWH]

I do agree we all should respect & honor human life. However, there is no denying that some deaths are warranted (i.e. Hitler, Bin Laden, Sadam, etc.)..... that list goes on & on.... Rapist, murderers.... You can bet their victims/loved ones, felt closure & justification upon their deaths. Doesn't mean you "celebrate" it.

 

[Scott Slough]

I do agree we all should respect & honor human life. However, there is no denying that some deaths are warranted (i.e. Hitler, Bin Laden, Sadam, etc.)..... that list goes on & on.... Rapist, murderers.... You can bet their victims/loved ones, felt closure & justification upon their deaths. Doesn't mean you "celebrate" it.

100% agree! I have no issues with the actions of the rangers ... assuming the report is correct and that the individuals were poaching and shooting at rangers ... the rangers have done their job and done it well.

 

[James N Melcher]

I find it distasteful to celebrate the death of a human being.

Then obviously you have not ever seen what a child molester has done to his victims before he murders them. And obviously you have not seen the other end of a firearm being fired at you in hopes of ending your life. And obviously you did not have any friends or family that were killed on 9/11 in NYC. I do celebrate the death of all the above, they get their just deserves. I am not judging them.......thats Gods job. I just arrange the meeting.

 

[Scott Slough]

Then obviously you have not ever seen what a child molester has done to his victims before he murders them. And obviously you have not seen the other end of a firearm being fired at you in hopes of ending your life. And obviously you did not have any friends or family that were killed on 9/11 in NYC. I do celebrate the death of all the above, they get their just deserves. I am not judging them.......thats Gods job. I just arrange the meeting.

You do not know anything about me ... but I know enough about you that I don't want to know anything more about you or your opinions. Good luck in your life.

 

[8x68]

I posted the article on Facebook with this preamble:
Anti hunting organizations will have you believe otherwise but this is what programs hunting dollars support. It helps enforcement services protect African wildlife. So called "trophy hunting" takes a fraction of a percent compared to poaching. So in reality anti hunting organizations actually support poaching by denying funds that can be used to combat it.

This is the type of ammo we need to use to combat the anti's. Use what they support against them.

 

[James N Melcher]

You do not know anything about me ... but I know enough about you that I don't want to know anything more about you or your opinions. Good luck in your life.

You are entitled to your opinion, just don't expect others to support your views all the time and then get angry when they dont. You don't have to like me........but when the Boogey man comes for you.....you will scream for men like me to clean up after you. Thats ok......some are leaders.....and some are SHEEP !!!! That's why there will always be men like me who do what others do not have the stomach for. Good luck in your life as well Scott .....best wishes.

 

[8x68]

Poachers here don't open up on you with automatic fire (namely AK 47's) in this country. Were are not like PETA or other so-called animal rights groups. We don't celebrate when some one gets killed (although if a griz was having its way with an animal rights idiot I might ask the bear if he wants a doggie bag). The article isn't about celebrating the poachers deaths it's about a choice made and the consequences of that choice.

 

[Scott Slough]

You are entitled to your opinion, just don't expect others to support your views all the time and then get angry when they dont. You don't have to like me........but when the Boogey man comes for you.....you will scream for men like me to clean up after you. Thats ok......some are leaders.....and some are SHEEP !!!! That's why there will always be men like me who do what others do not have the stomach for. Good luck in your life as well Scott .....best wishes.

That is really funny that you think I posted my view hoping that you would support me or that there is any scenario where I would need or accept your help.

 

[James N Melcher]

Mr Slough. I never offered my support to you or your views and I certainly never offered my help to you in anyway. Being a College Professor you would think that you should have some reading comprehension. Have a great day Mr. Slough. Best wishes in all your future endeavors.