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Federal raid a “serious blow” to rhino trade

By Kenneth R. Weiss, Los Angeles Times

February 23, 2012

Federal wildlife investigators in California and other states say they have cracked an international smuggling ring that trafficked for years in sawed-off rhinoceros horns, which fetch stratospheric prices in Vietnam and China for their supposed cancer-curing powers.

Read more: US Federal Agent hit rhino horn smuggling ring

Unite against Poaching trust fund now stands at a staggering R 2,3 million

The Unitrans Volkswagen & Audi initiative, Unite against Poaching Trust Fund has soared to an impressive R 2 312 500, with the release for the January 2012 vehicle sales figures. This amazing initiative is used to support counter poaching in SANParks across the country.

To date the funds have been used to provide survival equipment to the Kruger National Park field rangers, enabling them to spend extended periods in the bush on counter poaching activities. The imminent appointment to the Kruger National Park of an additional 150 field rangers will necessitate allocating further funding to ensure the training and equipping of the extra rangers is handled as quickly and efficiently as possible so that their urgent deployment in the field is achieved. The roll out of these rangers in their anti-poaching role will be supported from the trust fund.

Read more: Unite against Poaching trust fund now stands at a staggering R 2,3 m

5 suspected rhino poachers arrested

2012-02-15 08:05 from New 24

Johannesburg - Five suspected rhino poachers will appear in the Brits Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, North West police said. The men, aged between 43 and 59, were arrested on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation, Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. "I am reluctant to even say where they were arrested because it might compromise future operations."
The Star newspaper reported on Wednesday that the suspected poachers had been involved in a shoot-out with police in an area known to hold rhinos. They were arrested and a .458-calibre rifle and 14 rounds of ammunition seized.

Read more: 5 suspected Rhino Poachers Arrested

Date: 1st February 2012

3 Rhino poachers sentenced to 25 years in prison

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced today (31 January 2012) that three Rhino poachers from Mozambique were found guilty of illegal rhino hunting at Phalaborwa Regional Court and sentenced to a maximum of 25 years imprisonment each. A fourth suspected poacher died in custody in 2011 after attempting to escape. The three poachers found guilty are Aselmo Baloyi, Jawaki Nkuna and Ismael Baloyi.

Read more: Rhino Poachers sentenced to 25 years

SANParks Media Release: 248 KNP rangers to embark on a strike

Date: 1st February 2012

A total number of 361 Kruger National Park (KNP) staff members will embark on a strike from Friday, February 3, 2012

A total number of 361 Kruger National Park (KNP) staff members will embark on a strike from Friday, February 3, 2012. This is according to a notice given to management yesterday (Tuesday, January 31, 2012) by the employees concerned. Of the 361 staff members, 248 are Field Rangers whose job is mainly the protection of wildlife and maintenance of ecological integrity. These employees are sighting salary disparity as their reason for going on strike but the two labour unions that are officially recognised by SANParks as employee representatives, i.e. SACCAWU and HOSPERSA are not party to the strike.

Read more: Kruger Park Rangers to go on Strike