US Army vets on anti-poaching drive

A New York-based NGO has sent ex-marines to train local rangers in a bid to protect rhinos.

The Veterans Empowered to Protect African Wildlife is a New York-based NGO that sends army veterans, many of whom fought in Iraq and Afghanistan and are now struggling to find civilian work, to train South African game rangers.

Founded by former marine Ryan Tate, VETPAW teaches skills, including marksmanship, patrolling and community outreach.

The fight is having some success: there were 702 rhinos poached between January and July of 2016, down 11% from the year-earlier period, according to the most recent data from the SA

poached between January and July of 2016, down 11% from a year earlier

government. Poaching peaked at 1 215 in 2014, up from 13 seven years earlier.

VETPAW employs veterans, using their military expertise to train and support local anti-poaching rangers. During 2015, about 1 175 rhinos were poached in South Africa, according to the department of environmental affairs. As well as training in patrolling strategies, rangers will also gather and analyse intelligence in their quest to conserve the endangered species.

Each ranger carries weapons, tools and communication devices.

The World Wildlife Federation states illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest illicit trade behind drugs, people smuggling and counterfeiting, worth about $5 billion annually.

The number of rhinos poached in South Africa has increased by 9 000% since 2007. – Bloomberg