VISITING AMERICAN JOURNALIST RESEARCHES RHINO CONSERVATION
Casey appointed by Texas university
ON A search for the in-depth story, US author and journalist Ethan Casey visited the Eastern Cape last week to see for himself the problems caused by rhino poaching, as well as to talk to the people involved in this illicit trade.
The endemic rhino-poaching frenzy has hit all parts of Africa, causing considerable environmental damage to eco-systems, along with devastating the indigenous rhino population.
Casey said he was interested in the people and their customs, and the reasons why rhinos are being slaughtered on such a massive scale.
A veteran international journalist, Casey has been blogging the news for many years and, at 51, has visited many countries in his effort to highlight issues around the world. Born in Wisconsin in 1965, Casey lived in Bangkok and covered Asian politics from 1993 to 1998.
While corresponding for international newspapers, he visited Pakistan in 1995, which ultimately led to his 2004 book, Alive and well in
Pakistan . Having been taken to Haiti as a child by his father, his 2012 book, Bearing the Bruise: a life
graced by Haiti, has also won him much acclaim. His third book, Home Free: An American road
trip, published in 2013, regarding his investigation on how Americans felt during the 2012 presidential election in the USA, was also well received.
Now, Casey is attempting to get to the bottom of the rhino poaching tragedy, hoping to highlight the plight of the rhino as well as the motivation of the people behind the scenes.
Having been commissioned by Texas Christian University to investigate the problem, Casey came to South Africa and visited Port Alfred as part of his journey to Africa.
“Texans protecting the rhino, now there’s something to think about,” said Casey.
Last Friday, Sunshine Coast Tourism organised for a township tour through Nemato to show Casey a little of the rural history of the area.
Casey witnessed how some families live in abject poverty in mud houses, as well as learning that the Nemato township was the first to be named after former President Nelson Mandela.
Casey will be returning to the US shortly, but will be coming back to South Africa toward the end of the year to gather more information and speak to those affected by rhino poaching.