Poachers shoot last 2 White Rhino in Zambia
- Thread starter Amphibious
- Start date
That just pisses me off. I mean - was that really necessary? I'm betting the people who did it don't even have much to live for. Why bother, why not do the world a favour, sell their own internal organs on the black market, pay for some food for their families and remove themselves from the population while they're at it.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
It is sad to see a breed vanish, but if those were truly the last two specimens left in the country, the breed was doomed. The question is will the Government of Zambia attempt to reestablish a herd, and if so why wasn't that attempt made before the rhino numbers had dropped to a single pair?
Poaching is nothing new in Africa. The best area in Tanzania for buffalo was the huge swamp known as the Moyowosi in the north-west part of the country. Numbers were said to be near a half million animals, but within 6 years, poaching caused the population to drop so low that sport hunting was no longer viable in that area.
Poaching in Africa is very professional and efficient. Snare lines are miles long pick up everything. Often the prize is not ivory or hides - it is meat, and for an African, procuring meat is very lucrative. It is supported by powerful people within the government - both locally and federally. A young South African PH who was instrumental in the arrest of a poacher in Tanzania was in hiding at our remote hunting camp because he was in fear of arrest and/or worse.
This type of poaching could spell the end of true hunting in Africa, and in the not too distant future all hunting might have to be done on ranches. That would truly be a shame, because wild Africa is such an amazing experience.
Poaching is nothing new in Africa. The best area in Tanzania for buffalo was the huge swamp known as the Moyowosi in the north-west part of the country. Numbers were said to be near a half million animals, but within 6 years, poaching caused the population to drop so low that sport hunting was no longer viable in that area.
Poaching in Africa is very professional and efficient. Snare lines are miles long pick up everything. Often the prize is not ivory or hides - it is meat, and for an African, procuring meat is very lucrative. It is supported by powerful people within the government - both locally and federally. A young South African PH who was instrumental in the arrest of a poacher in Tanzania was in hiding at our remote hunting camp because he was in fear of arrest and/or worse.
This type of poaching could spell the end of true hunting in Africa, and in the not too distant future all hunting might have to be done on ranches. That would truly be a shame, because wild Africa is such an amazing experience.
"Government of Zambia"
you're kidding, right? - dan
you're kidding, right? - dan
And so they should! Too many fine beasts are slaughtered every year needlessly for some "organic" ingredient that is being chemically mass produced world wide.Canuck223 said:
Rhino horns are said to "enhance" the male labido. Well, I don't know about all of you, but I get about 1000 emails a week from Asia telling me how I can buy pills that will do that CHEAPLY. I don't think Rhino Horn is cheap.
Kind of a moot point now, but why kill a Rhino when you can buy the Blue Pill over the net for $25, complete with a #### video (to get things started)????
JERKS! that's what they are (worse actually, but I don't want this post deleted for vulgarity). Should be banned from the planet.
my $0.02... rant over.
They imported 6 from S.A. and have only one left (and that one is wounded)? That is most likely bad management.
Poachers are shot on sight in most African countries. I think in some areas, they pay the guards pretty good too (around 5k/month). I think I'd like the job.
Poachers are shot on sight in most African countries. I think in some areas, they pay the guards pretty good too (around 5k/month). I think I'd like the job.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
dan belisle said:
Granted, African governments as a whole don't look like western governments, but comparing apples to apples, Zambia shapes up much better than Zimbabwe. Tourists can view Vic Falls without being in fear of their lives, something not true of Zim. Zambia must be doing something right as the big game hunting there rivals what is found in Tanzania, at a more affordable price. Yes there is also good hunting in Zimbabwe, but sooner or later, I think there will be assaults on western hunters there. If I was to go back to Africa I might consider Zambia - but I would not consider Zimbabwe, regardless of cost.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
eltorro said:
"Zambia's white rhinos were all killed by poachers but the government managed to acquire six from South Africa in 1993, of which the injured male is the last to survive."
I don't know about bad management. These are wild animals, and surviving 14 years in the African bush is pretty remarkable. If they chose not to breed, these aren't like cattle that can be inseminated. If you think so, go grab that bull rhino by the parts .....
