divewop

This is a pretty disheartening story about rhinos & others I found today on the National Geographic Site. If anyone wants to read it here is the link:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...hiterhino.html

I hope a solution is found much sooner than later

tuskerdave

Hi, I went and took a look at this story. I hate seeing this stuff. I saved it and have a bunch of people to send it to. I also went out of my way in sept 2002 to visit an elephant poaching site in north tsavo east. That happened the March or April before. Have many KWS buddies there now!
I would very much like to hear about the military getting in there and pushing those heartless fools into the ground!
Thanks, David

divewop

Yeah, I agree. Something pretty drastic has to take place.

Unfortunately, until the people on the receiving end of the rhino horns, elephants tusks, bushmeat trade etc. are educated in some way to know these animals are worth more alive than dead, this will continue.

Also, the Far Eastern cultures of the world have to be educated to understand that the "so called" black market medicines or aphrodisiacs derived from the body parts of many of these animals have absolutely no medicinal value.

I really don't know what it will take other than that.

tuskerdave

Hi, a couple of things for now. Give donations to ORGS. that do work in the area. People need to keep visiting the parks & reserves. Also, the word can be spread about this BS!
I have seen WIRE SNARES and POACHED ANIMALS in person. The things man do. I will never understand, nor do I want to.
Thanks, David

divewop

You're correct TuskerDave, about how important it is to donate to conservation organizations. It is also a good idea to stay at lodges and camps that give part of their proceeds to help the communities around the reserves.

I have also witnessed a wire snare around an animal's neck. It really hits home when you see it in person.

I bet that elephant poaching site was kind of depressing. Our guide in the Mara used to be a member of the anti-poaching unit in Tsavo. He had quite a few stories about poachers.

By the way, last year we stayed in a camp at a reserve next door to Tsavo. Campi Ya Kanzi in Chuylu Hills. We still keep in close contact with the folks running the camp and hope to get back there soon. I would have loved to have made it to Tsavo, unfortunately there is never enough time.

tuskerdave

This is good info we are having here. I am glad your still in touch there. I am also in touch with the RANGERS at VOI STATION. Who help me stay in touch with the RANGERS I met at the site.
Now, with the help of these people and my tour op. I hope to witness a huge ELEPHANT move to the TSAVO EAST area. If it is going on in later SEPT. I should be able to. Also visit those RANGERS again.
Are able to visit TSAVO this SEPT? I have a posting here. Look for MIKUMI, RUAHA & TSAVO EAST.
David

divewop

TuskerDave,
I did see your other post. I would love the opportunity to go back to Kenya & Tanzania. Unfortunately, with a change in plans for the fall, I may have to head down to Australia at the end of September/first part of October for a couple of weeks.

I definitely would rather go to Africa. Who knows what the next couple of months will bring. But right now I may just have to suck it up, be politically correct and head down under. Then again, I can think of worse places than Australia.

tuskerdave

Too bad. The TANZ part will be pretty much all set. But the TSAVO part you can hop on any time. Keep me posted.
Thanks, David