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Unitrans Volkswagen is the proud establishers of the Unite against Poaching initiative. The handing over of this 4 x 4 Volkswagen Amarok  by Kevin Gillmer , Divisional Chief Executive of Unitrans Volkswagen; to Major General Johan Jooste, Officer Commanding Special Projects Kruger National Park, confirms our sustained commitment to ensuring that the field rangers on the ground have the skills and equipment to allow them to continue their fight against Rhino poaching.  This vehicle will facilitate General Jooste having access to all areas of the Kruger National Park in his on-going battle against the scourge of rhino poaching.

Unite against Poaching have also just renewed the 4 X 4 Volkswagen Amarok, which is already in use for the ground transport of the Unitrans Volkswagen Tracker Hounds Unit in the Kruger National Park.  These tracker hounds have been identified as a significant weapon in the counter poaching arsenal and we are extremely proud to be associated with this particular initiative.

Seen at the handover:  L to R, John Turner- National Chariman, Conservation Services, SANParks Honorary Rangers; Major General Johan Jooste and Kevin Gillmer

 It is in the knowledge that a well-trained and equipped field ranger is one of the most significant weapons in the war against poaching that we confirm our commitment to fighting poaching in our country. Unitrans Volkswagen, through the Unite against Poaching fund are honoured to have been able to contribute over R 6 million to the fight against rhino poaching, within SANParks. Together with the SANParks Honorary Rangers we will continue to empower the dedicated field rangers in our National Parks in the protection of our rhinos.  Unitrans Volkswagen certainly proudly stands up to our motto to “Unite against Poaching”.

Combating Crime with Commerce?

By John M. Sellar   Thursday, June 6, 2013

In late 2011, I retired from the position of Chief of Enforcement with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Having served with CITES for 14 years, I know only too well the serious levels of organized and sophisticated crime that are directed at our planet’s wildlife. There is no better illustration of this than the situation in South Africa, relating to rhinoceroses, in recent years. I share the frustration of many commentators that there seems no end in sight to the ever-increasing poaching of these animals and to the illegal acquisition of their horns; the latter affecting many more countries than South Africa and involving a range of crimes from fraud to burglary.

Consequently, I understand why some people imagine, and are actively arguing, that making commerce in rhino horn legal will pull the rug from under the current criminality, bring an end to the killing of these iconic animals, and potentially bring important revenue for conservation and species management. The points in favour of doing so have been relatively well-made, are relatively convincing, and it seems South Africa’s government may also be leaning towards such a conclusion. However, I think some considerations have, apparently, been overlooked.

It seems that one, if not the, major driver for the current demand is the belief that the ingesting of crushed rhino horn, by sufferers of cancer, will bring them into a state of remission, halt the growth of tumours or, even, cure them. Indeed, it is this trust that organized crime groups are currently exploiting in the most dreadful manner, preying upon those struggling to cope with one of the world’s most awful, and often terminal, diseases. Perhaps, on occasions, rhino horn is having some form of placebo effect. But, if it were truly the answer, would not the major pharmaceutical companies of the world be rushing to sign contracts with those who are offering to shave the horns of animals they own? Since they are not, it seems reasonable to conclude that the efficacy of rhino horn as some form of medicine remains extremely questionable. So, is the intention to replace criminal exploitation with legal mistreatment?

It also all seems to be rather one-sided at the moment. It takes two to tango. Calls for South Africa to propose that CITES authorize commercial exports of legal-origin rhino horn are utterly futile unless nations step forward and identify themselves as possible countries of import. I have yet to hear of any country, whether in Asia or elsewhere, that wishes to seek agreement for its citizens to legally acquire a substance, the use of which has no scientifically-established beneficial effect.

Since the earliest days of evolution, Man’s use of animals and plants has been wide-ranging and often cyclical and fashionable in nature. This, in the case of the rhinoceros, has been demonstrated by the manner in which, in past years, its horn was sought-after for treating fevers in China or as dagger handles in Yemen. In my opinion, we will make a major mistake if we focus on species-specific responses to what our law enforcement community is currently struggling against.

It is organized and sophisticated crime that the anti-poaching parks’ personnel, SARS, SAPS, South Africa’s military, and the country’s national and provincial prosecution authorities are facing. What sort of message does it send to these men and women, many of whom are showing very considerable bravery in the face of heavily-armed poaching gangs, if our answer is to say – “If these people thousands of miles away are stupid enough to want rhino horn, let’s sell them horns”?

Difficult as they may be, violent as they may be, the poaching and smuggling incidents troubling South Africa at present are, in the wider scope of things, skirmishes in a much longer battle against international crime. Organized crime will never be defeated by legalizing the crevice into which its tentacles are today reaching. The tentacles will simply move elsewhere. They need to be amputated, if the crime networks are to be conquered.

Whilst I may empathize with those who feel that South Africa is currently fighting alone, and who may be prompted to look for options to make life easier, I cannot agree with them. Yes, other nations must do much more than they have done so far and, yes, there has to be considerably more effective transnational collaboration and coordination in bringing wildlife criminals to justice. Especially because this is not just about rhinos. South Africa is not alone and rhinos are not the only species that is suffering. Elephant populations, for example, are being decimated in parts of Africa, prompting Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, to make the following comment in a report to the Security Council last month:

“Poaching and its potential linkages to other criminal, even terrorist, activities constitute a grave menace to sustainable peace and security in Central Africa. In this regard, I urge Governments of the subregion to consider the issue of poaching as a major national and subregional security concern requiring their concerted and coordinated action.”

Legalizing the trade in rhino horn, albeit highly questionable, might lead to a reduction in poaching. Just as legalizing commerce in recreational narcotics might reduce drug trafficking. But neither response will, in itself, make the citizens of the world any safer in relation to organized crime. The species Homo sapiens has to be taken account of too in the ongoing deliberations.

Now is not the time to give the slightest indication that what Parks, Customs, Police, Military and prosecution officials are doing has anything other than our fullest support and that it is anything other than the most worthy of causes. They are not engaged in a war to protect the rhino; they are battling to preserve the rule of law.

Braam Malherbe

26 May 2013

2013 may be the critical turning point for the survival of the remaining rhinos on earth. These are the few that have managed to escape the onslaught of poaching in South Africa. The rhino murders are now possibly resulting in more deaths than calves being born. Have we reached a tipping point to their survival, what is the true situation and what are the solutions?

The official death toll for rhinos killed in poaching incidents in 2012 was 668, including an estimated 30 critically endangered black rhinos. This figure was up from 448 in 2011, of which 19 were black rhino. This equates to almost two rhinos killed every day for 365 days. By the 25th May 2013, the death toll had already reached 350, with most of the animals dying gruesome deaths.

Many solutions have been put forward to curb rhino poaching, but none have been successful.

When people ask me why I am called the extreme conservationist, I simply say that our Earth is ill and that illness has been caused by human greed, consumption and ignorance. The plight of our rhino is symbolic of this. Our planet is extremely stressed…extreme times call for extreme measures. The current rhino wars are a stark and horrific example of our greed, consumption and ignorance. When it comes to looking at solutions to end this atrocity, I believe there is no single solution.

Read more: The Rhino Wars – a comprehensive overview of the situation and the solutions

What a delight to be a part of the Rhino Walk organised by Century Property at their Waterfall Country Estate over the weekend. Century Property no doubt were intending to get people to experience the estate, but in return for this PR exercise, they did a great deal to promote rhino awareness and engender responsibility for the wildlife in the participating scholars.

Various school were invited to adopt a rhino mascot, name it and decorate the rhino. These delightful mascots were displayed and judged and the winning school received a cash prize.  The scholars produced truly inspirational and thoughtful displays.

Unite against Poaching, with the SANPArks Honorary Rangers, was delighted to be a part of such a special event. The enthusiasm and passion of al the participants to help save the rhino was like a breath of fresh air and motivates one to keep working harder and smarter to help save the rhino for future generations.

Thank you the young people of the northern suburbs for your inspiration!!