Wildlife conservationists in Zimbabwe are struggling to protect endangered rhinos – and now the uphill battle includes war veterans who have gotten into the rhino poaching business.
In yet another setback to Zimbabwe’s wildlife conservation efforts, war veterans settled near the Humani Estates in the Chiredzi District are allegedly poisoning rhinos living on a nearby game reserve in order to sell the horns to South African rhino horn dealers.
Nelson Maponga, Humani Estate community spokesperson said via ZimEye that war veterans settled in the area have been killing rhinos with poisoned cabbage.
Most of them are working as poaching agents for South African based rhino horn dealers, the poachers are placing poisoned cabbages on animal drinking points so that when the animals come for water they will also eat them. They will then track them until they die, then take off the horns.
But the poachers have not stopped there. They have also poisoned water sources, which is killing cattle.
The biggest problem is that our cattle also drink from the same sources and are also eating the same cabbages and dying. They are even poisoning some small dams around this area with the hope that rhinos will drink from them which have caused serious environmental problems in this area.
In addition to poisoning rhinos and cattle, Mr. Maponga pointed out that the war veterans have indiscriminately cut down trees to sell firewood, which has destroyed the surrounding wildlife habitat.
They indiscriminately cut down trees to sell firewood to people who come from towns like Chiredzi and Nyika growth point leaving the animals without cover.
Rhino poaching ‘epicenter’
A recent study confirmed that Zimbabwe and South Africa form the epicenter of the rhino poaching crisis, which is poised to undermine decades of conservation success. The resurgence of mass rhino killings is driven by the deadly combination of demand for rhino horn and rising incomes in Asia, mostly China, and increasingly, Vietnam.
Unfortunate cultural superstitions claim that rhino horn is a remedy for common ailments such as pain and fever, although extensive scientific testing has confirmed that rhino horn actually contains no medicinal properties.
See also:
- Study Confirms Zimbabwe, South Africa Form Epicenter of Rhino Poaching Crisis
- Zimbabwe’s Rhino Poaching Crisis Compounded by Lack of Law Enforcement
- Nearly 200 Rhinos Killed in Zimbabwe Over Three Years
- Commercial Rhino Poaching Thriving in South Africa, Thanks to Asian Demand for Rhino Horn
Image: istock.com
About Rhishja Cota-Larson
I am aware of how endangered these animals are and how precious they are both physically and culturally..who can we write to to voice our concerns and change their future for the better.
The poaching isn’t going to stop until demand stops and that will only happen when Asians understand that some traditions have to stop; and using endangered animals to try to soothe your aches and pains is unacceptable and stupid.
Is there time to educate Asians or do we have to say goodbye to Rhinos, Tigers and all the other beasts that have the burden of being perceived as healing in China and Vietnam?
Hi Dog Gift -
I absolutely agree with you – the demand has to stop or these animals will be extinct. Extinct!
I believe there is still time to educate. Not much time, however, and we must act quickly.
Rhishja
Good old Dog gift has wrapped it up again. Just a mater of education. It’s the same with global warming and “Windfarms”. The governments are quite happy to pretend that they don’t know that current “technology” simply makes matters worse. Their friends get the money – and a big pat on the back from the (very !) “Green” lobbies of well intentioned folk.
All this “medaeval-level” ignorance including mapping gravity” (from orbit where – by defiition – there is none !!)
While one or a few, scientists, sreuggle-on to do the impossible.
Turn wood into bone perfect for grafting by surgeons – True ! and find ways to correct genetic faults, build protein molecules etc. etc. all completely Impossible.
What counts these days, it seems, is not what you actually achieve, but who says you are “the bizniss” that does that sort of thing. R.g. The viaduct from Donabate to Malahide in County Cork ? Eire collapse the day after it had been given the ok by a team of “engineers”. A train driver drew attention to the imminent danger the day before and stopped in time.
This may appear to be way off the subject, but not if the subject is “education”. Whatever That means these days.
This is a very serious situation. Education is certainly important, but cannot our sole response. Much stiffer penalties need to be imposed. In some respect, this is a matter of priorities as well. Maybe WSPA has some advice on helpful steps if they aren’t already involved. Vigilance and teaching respect and compassion are key here.