Authorities losing fight against rhino poaching - ROA

The Rhino Owners Association (ROA) has warned that authorities are losing the fight against rhino poaching.

Three rhinos were attacked and one was mutilated for its horn at the Aquila Game Reserve in the Karoo at the weekend.

The association's Pelham Jones said these syndicates will strike again.

“We are dealing here with organised crime syndicates. They will...look for any opportunity that they can. Anybody who thinks they are off the radar and are not vulnerable to these barbaric criminals are sadly very naive,” he said.

Reward offered for tip-offs against rhino poachers

Management at Aquila Game Reserve in the Karoo is offering R100,000 reward for information which could lead to the arrest of rhino poachers.

Three rhinos were attacked at the reserve on Saturday.

One rhino died while another is fighting for its life.

Aquila's Searl Derman said, “We’re planning a massive attempt … we offered R100,000 reward at this stage, for any information leading to an arrest and a conviction.”

Derman said vets are trying to save the badly injured rhino.

“[This] rhino has had a very hard times, we’ve actually thought it was dead on two occasions and then it surprised us and stood up ..." he added.

3 rhinos fights for their lives

Vets are in a race against time as they try to save two rhinos that have had their horns cut off by poachers on Saturday.

Rangers at the Aquila Game Reserve in the Karoo discovered the wounded animals.

They had been attacked by poachers.

Aquila Game Reserve's Searl Derman said they are searching for a third rhino that is missing.

“The one rhino has got a big chance of making it [and] the other one has got 50/50 – now we rushing against time, we’re in helicopter we [are] trying to find the third rhino that has obviously been darted … we can’t find him in the military in the bushes ... which is very difficult,” he said.

Vets fight to save poached rhino

Vets are battling to save two rhino that had their horns cut off by poachers at the Aquila Game Reserve in the Karoo.

The Western Cape reserve is home to six endangered white rhino.

On Saturday morning, two of the animals were found in the park, one with its horn completely severed off. The others rhino’s horn was partially cut.

Aquila Game Reserve owner Searl Derman said vets are currently treating the animals.

“One of our rhino has been poached, it’s still alive. We’ve got vets flying in…,” he said.

Derman said the poachers were interrupted but managed to flee with one horn.

In 2011, over 260 rhino have been killed in South Africa.

Rhino killed in EC

Another rhino has been killed on a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday.

Operators have also raised concerns about the impact that poaching could have on tourism in South Africa.

In 2011, over 260 rhino have been killed in the country.

On Tuesday, three poachers entered the Samara Private Game Reserve where they shot and killed a five-year-old rhino cow before taking her horns.

Samara's owner Sarah Tompkins said the fight against rhino poaching needs to involve everyone.

“We need to work with our local community and politicians by stimulating awareness...," she said.

Tompkins added that poaching could have a dreadful impact on local tourism.