An interesting approach to poaching...

[ChrisFernando]

An Indian National park has adopted a new technique that seems to be working pretty well...

https://qz.com/908867/kazirangas-ruthle ... -at-sight/

[Meandering Mouse]

That is interesting Chris. We certainly share many similarities with India.

I do think that we can learn from what is happening in other parts of the world. They could also learn from us.

I suppose one of the biggest challenges with Kruger is it's vast size plus porous borders.

The defense force is there to protect the borders, but they are not trained in the same way as the rangers. They are unable to read the bush and work in the bush effectively. They also do not have the same freedom to act independently without directions from a commanding officer. Ideally there should be a small permanent force trained specifically in bush technique.

I am hoping that the change in government in Zim, will bring greater economic stability. This will lessen the need for poaching.

[Rivers2Run]

Well done! From one of the leading USA newspapers. You are leaders in wildlife conservation. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/08/scie ... .html?_r=0

[Mischief]

Thank you for sharing that NY Times article with us Rivers2Run

[barryels]

Thanks for the post Rivers2Run .

[Crested Val]

Thanks for sharing that.

I must also tell you that the UK promotes anti poaching as well.

Both Princes William and Harry have it high on their list of priorities, and a British charity fairly recently funded the "Meerkat" surveillance equipment.

We often see TV programmes highlighting the poaching war.

[ChrisFernando]

Agreed. I think we can change with time, China's even taking some big steps. Now if the UK would follow suit maybe we'd start getting somewhere.

I think technology could help solve these problems as well...will be interesting to see what we do with all the advancements we've made in recent years...

[mercuryone]

that's very good finally rangers are fighting back an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth approach

[Chacma]

In my opinion, if people were really serious about the conservation of rhinos, they would dehorn them all. This would stop the poaching in its tracks. Rhinos would be able to flourish and get back to their correct population levels.

Unfortunately the anti-poaching industry is so entrenched that this would never happen. Thousands would be out of work.

[Rhino Warrior 28]

Thank you Chris for the article, it was very informative.
I have only recently become more aware and involved in the issue of poaching and have found the statistics both horrifying and heartbreaking. I have often felt so intensely angry at the senseless slaughter that my first reaction was also "shoot to kill" is the only true solution!

However, after reading that article and a few others see: www.globaliniative.net - a report called: Ending Wildlife Trafficking; I am wondering whether engaging local communities around the various parks and reserves could be a more sustainable solution, even though far more complex and complicated?

I wonder if by focussing on the growth and connection between communities and parks/reserves and the animals we are trying to protect, rather than on the WAR, we may be able to find a more strategic solution to this issue? This is not to say that we do not continue to protect our wildlife in the way we are currently doing, but we begin to listen to the other key players in the situation and engage the one area we have not seemed to have yet - local communities.

In the report, by Anette Hubschle, I mentioned above, the following statement really made me stop: "The *** has its own doctor, its own policeman, its own helicopter, its own land and there are rangers that protect it. We don't have these things. If the *** goes extinct tomorrow, maybe we can finally get these things." I was gobsmacked by this statement. While I wanted to rage at this, I also suddenly realised that if we REALLY want to solve this problem, whether these players are right or wrong, this is how they feel. By just saying that is not right and lets up the anti with more violence, I don't think we are going to get anywhere other than just more violence.

As I said earlier, I am still new to this and I am not "on the ground", so I realise that these are just my intellectual musings from a very safe distance. I would really appreciate any and all feedback, stories, comments and facts.

*** Warrior 28