Desperate measures needed to stop slaughter
I READ with great interest the letter from T Markandan in the Independent (November 28) with regard to China being involved in the slaughter of our magnificent rhinos.
I heartily endorse his view, which is supported by the recent courageous Al Jazeera investigation into the alleged involvement of South Africa’s Minister of Security Brian Mahlobo, which, if true, has placed him in the position of perhaps being a traitor to the country he is well paid to serve!
My UK nephew Ian Thoms and I spent three nights in Thula Thula in Zululand in midNovember, where Lawrence Anthony wrote his book The Last of the Rhinos.
We noticed that as a precautionary measure the horns of their rhinos had been removed.
Perhaps this drastic measure needs to be carried out in our national parks, particularly in Hluhluwe, one of our oldest and largest parks and a major tourist attraction, which now appears to be the major target in respect of rhino slaughter.
While driving in Hluhluwe, we were dismayed and enraged to see two rhino carcasses within metres of one another, and again, just metres away from them, a third rhino carcass, evidently slaughtered the previous night, as it was surrounded by rangers and the police. We were informed that more than six had been slaughtered there in less than a week.
During our stay in Hluhluwe we encountered more than 18 Rhinos alive and well, mostly in the same vicinity so it would seem that they favour particular areas, and in doing so, are easy targets for mindless poachers and their greedy employers.
This is one of our largest National Parks, an economic boon to the tourist industry in South Africa, which raises the question: “What is our government doing about this major crisis?
Why not use the military including helicopters to guard these magnificent prehistoric animals in vulnerable areas and hunt down the criminals involved,
Park rangers are not equipped with manpower and equipment to fight this battle alone and they are hindered and endangered themselves by corruption in “high places”.
Where is the justice required to protect and increase the population of our beloved wildlife?
Well done, courageous and competent Al Jazeera, this country needs you!