Rally to save rhino

Experts predict grim future for species

THE fight to save Eastern Cape rhinos from greedy poachers stepped up a gear at Rhodes University this week when students and staff rallied together to highlight their plight.

Since Monday, hundreds of people have signed petitions and more than R1 000 has been raised to try and save rhinos from extinction.

Galvanised by the horrific attack on three rhinos who had their horns hacked off while they lay tranquilised in the veld at nearby Kariega Game Reserve more than two months ago, the organisers of Rhino Week have roped in experts, from local wildlife vet Dr William Fowlds, conservationists, economists and even Rhodes Universitybased Chinese language expert Ma Yue, to try and get a better understanding of the problem.

Besides selling stickers that urge authorities to “Dehorn poachers and their clients”, T-shirts, caps, art and black wrist bands to raise funds for the continued treatment of maimed rhinos like Thandi – the only survivor of the Kariega attack – the organisers have also planned a candlelight vigil and even a music concert to try to raise awareness and much-needed cash.

According to SRC environmental councillor Ruth Krüger, who helped organise Rhino Week, the barbaric nature of the Kariega attack had deeply affected Grahamstown residents.

“The funds raised in this initiative will go towards the medical care of Thandi, who is recovering in Kariega under the care of Dr Fowlds.

“This care is very expensive. Beyond Thandi’s needs, however, the money collected will go to the anti-rhino poaching cause generally, supplying whatever is needed through Dr Fowlds.”

Describing the plight of endangered black rhino as serious, Krüger says thought must perhaps be given to legalising the controlled harvest and sale of horns to try and prevent attacks.

“A very sophisticated system of control would have to exist for the legalisation of rhino horn trade to be effective,” she however warned.

Internationally renowned wildlife vet Dr Fowlds, who has been treating Thandi since the three rhino were attacked, told concerned local residents on Tuesday night that her miraculous recovery had turned her into the global face of the war against poaching.

“Thandi will survive for the next 30 years,” he explained.

“She will be an icon, a living reminder of the brutality of poaching.”

Explaining how poachers often chopped rhino tendons or maimed their eyes to prevent them from escaping while they hacked off their horns, Fowlds said Thandi’s incredible fight for life could help save the species from extinction.

He warned: “Our inability to save the species will tell how apathetic we are and whether we care or not.

“If we do win it will give us a growing population of concerned human beings who are able to tackle other problems and save other species, if not we will lose so many more species.”