Poachers target Eastern Cape rhino

AN UPMARKET Eastern Cape game reserve situated between Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth has been hit by poaching – one of its rhino was found killed on Thursday evening with its horn removed.

At this stage it is unclear when the actual poaching incident took place on Amakhala Game Reserve, but police spokesperson Captain Ernest Sigobe said gamekeepers noticed on Monday afternoon that one of the reserve’s rhinos was missing.

“A search was conducted up until they found it killed,” he said. “At this stage it is not clear how the suspects gained entry to the game reserve and the investigation continues. No suspects have been arrested yet.”

In some cultures it is thought the horn, penis and testicles from rhino have aphrodisiac qualities, while rhino horn is also widely used for making dagger handles.

The Dispatch contacted Amakhala for comment and was referred to reserve owner Brent Cook. However, Cook said the reserve would release a statement only once they had all “the information and details from the investigation”.

Asked when that would be, he replied “only on Monday”.

According to the reserve’s website, Amakhala was started in 1999 as a joint conservation venture and is made up of six independently owned lodges offering various styles of accommodation.

Visitors to the 7000-hectare reserve may encounter lion, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest in addition to rhino.

At this stage it is not clear how many rhino are on the reserve but pictures on the website depict at least four animals.

Sigobe urged other reserves in the Eastern Cape to be vigilant with their game and ensure that rangers carry out frequent checks .

Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Mpumelelo Landu said: “All communities are urged to work together with the SAPS to curb rhino poaching as this scourge is not only detrimental to game owners but to the economy of the country, too.”

The Dispatch contacted several game reserve owners yesterday asking if they had stepped up security as a result of the poaching incident.

However, all declined to comment and asked that their names not be mentioned to avoid drawing attention to their rhino. — By ANDREW STONE


Cheers,

~ Alan

A second rhino has since been found shot and its horn removed. [ on the same reverve }AND THE ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION UNIT WAS DISBANDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, just like the CHILD PROTECTION UNIT and the NARCOTICS UNIT [S A N A B } of the South African Police.