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Frontpage story today in Cape Afrikaans newspaper , "Die Burger " :

Die 15 olifanttande wat lede van die Valke gister in ’n motorhuis by ’n woonstelblok in Bloubergrant gekry het, is vermoedelik dié van jong olifantbulle.

Translated : " The 15 elephant tusks that members of the Hawks found in the garage of an apartment block in Bloubergrant , are probably those of young elephant bulls ".

The story goes on to describe how neighbours saw smoke coming out of a garage , called the police , and on investigation found two chinese men , with a quantity of tusks , as well as abalone , etc etc .
They will appear in court on a charge of illegal traffic in ivory .

Apparently , one of these guys , are currently out on bail , on previous charges also for illegal dealing in ivory and abalone .

Here we have another case of citizens from the most populous country in the world , in our country , making their own countrymen unpopular locally . We treat them with utmost civility , make them welcome , and all they do is annihilate our heritage .
Yah , we jail them if ( IF ) we catch them at it , but before you can say " rhino horn " , they are out on bail , and doing what they seem to do best .

Okie hopefully it will not end when there is nothing left to poach or smuggle.

I have just written on a Rhino thread urging people to do what they can, no matter how small.

When I grew up, (about the time of Noah) when shooting, hunting was the norm.

I have always been a greenie, a bunnyhugger.. and I do remember nearly breaking a little boy's kneecaps for shooting birds with a kattie. I was not too worried about his knee caps.

I think we need to all become a part of creating an anti killing lobby.

I urge people to become involved. Maybe it is as small as a bumper sticker.. or as large as getting a large corporate involved. But we do need to be involved.

The internet is powerful. I urge people to join lobby groups. Phone in or write into radio shows, or simply speak out.

My grandfather and father were avid hunters, my brother is disgusted by killing and my son won't touch a rifle. We are entering a new era. A lot of damage has been done, the difference is that we are now recognising it as damage.

This is not an anti hunting post. Regulated hunting does serve a purpose.

I am just saying, the tide is turning. I want to be one of those who helps change the flow.

OKie, I also hear what you say that we have become the target of a certain market.

One of the most embarassing moments this year for the government was the Dali Lama debacle. The internet helped to make it not only local, but global. I think we have to recognise that this is a very potent and powerful tool.

Join twitter groups, facebook groups. The eyes of the world are watching.

Lobby groups are essential.

Hmmm, yah , and stop buying chinese