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11 November 2008

Media Release: SANParks and private sector take rhino poaching war to the skies

Efforts to combat rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park were bolstered this morning as the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and South African National Parks (SANParks) launched a new, state-of-the-art aerial surveillance solution to save South Africa”s rhinos.

The unique specialist reconnaissance aircraft, The Seeker Seabird, incorporating highly sophisticated surveillance technology, was unveiled this morning at Skukuza airport, in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The unveiling was part of an announcement of a strategic cooperation between the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and SANParks which will see the Foundation providing SANParks with a number of solutions from the Paramount Group, an associated entity.

Speaking at the unveiling, Dr David Mabunda, CEO of SANParks said, “We anticipate that by the end of this calendar year we will have lost about 650 rhinos throughout South Africa, 400 in the Kruger National Park. To date 598 rhinos have been lost to poaching, 364 in the KNP alone. South Africa is home to more than 80% of the world”s rhinos, while the KNP is home to about 60% of South Africa”s rhinos it accounts for 40% of the world”s rhino population. While the combination of criminally slaughtered rhinos and natural mortalities has not reached a point of negative growth we are seeing definite signs of a decrease in growth numbers.”

“Enough is enough; the mindless slaughter of rhinos in the wild has called for a multi-pronged strategy. We are actively enlisting and broadening our engagement with the private sector to protect and conserve wildlife. We will find the right solutions and fight this war. The strategy is to reach out to a new set of stakeholders that would complement and fundamentally strengthen and provide the necessary intelligence to our existing efforts. We are very happy to announce that the Ichikowitz Family Foundation is contributing to conservation in the Kruger National Park for the benefit of the country”s heritage.”

Speaking at the same event, Ivor Ichikowitz, Chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and executive chairman of Africa”s largest privately held defence and aerospace company, Paramount Group said “Our world-class electronic systems technology brings expert navigation and surveillance solutions to the fore to help in the search for suspected rhino poachers throughout the Kruger National Park.”

“Advanced visual reconnaissance and surveillance will provide game reserve rangers with robust intelligence in their tireless mission to confront poachers.”

“We will equip the Seeker Seabird with a FLIR Ball infrared detector. This thermal imaging technology will deliver more enhanced and powerful observation capability to the Kruger National Park”s rangers making it very difficult for poachers to hide. The plane demonstrates high degree of flexibility in terms of utilisation, use of operation and reliability. It is capable of flying at high altitude and at slow speeds with 270 degrees visibility. It can be forward positioned on short dirt strips and requires very limited logistical support,” adds Mr Ichikowitz.

“Attitudes about the importance of wildlife in South Africa are changing. The grim realities of environmental crimes committed against wildlife and rhino”s in particular are being recognised with calls for tougher law enforcement and penalties. Initiatives like these are critical to motivate potential consumers to quell demand for wildlife-based products by appealing to their pro-environment instincts.”

“Not only is the Kruger National Park home to the largest population of rhinos in the world, this National Park also remains the hardest hit by poaching with the park having lost 760 rhinos out of the 1369 grand total that have been killed in South Africa since January 2010,” said Dr Mabunda. “We”re honoured to join forces with the Ichikowitz Family Foundation because this surveillance solution gives our rangers just the right kind of support they need to win the war and it brings us one step closer to ending the devastation of our rhinos.”

Dr Mabunda added that while arrests of poachers were certainly on the increase, the country still had a long way to go before rhino poachers would be eradicated entirely. By 27 November this year a total of 246 arrests had been made during 2012 with more than 640 arrests made since January 2010.

Earlier this month Magistrate Prince Manyathi handed out a stiff 40-year sentence to self-confessed rhino trader and smuggler, Thai national Chumlong Lemtongthai in the Kempton Park Magistrate Court. Dr Mabunda congratulated the SA Justice system for the tough stance it had taken against poachers of South Africa”s heritage, adding that he hoped it acted as a serious deterrent to future perpetrators killing rhinos for their horns.

“SANParks is entrusted to protect our natural heritage. They are at the forefront of saving the rhino,” said Ivor Ichikowitz. “Paramount Group is in the business of developing state of the art defence technology, technology which, through the Family Foundation, we intend placing in SANParks hands in the fight against poachers.”

The Seeker Seabird provides maximum surveillance optimisation and revolutionary reconnaissance capabilities with leading-edge patrol technology that will easily expose illegal poachers that have – to date – been well concealed in their hiding places across the reserve.

“The days of talking about this problem are over – practical solutions such as this aircraft and its surveillance capabilities is the only way to make a real difference,” Mr Ichikowitz added. “It”s time to take dramatic steps to rid this country of poachers and to save our rhinos!”

The South African government is determined to win the war against rhino poaching and calls on all South Africans to do their part to assist. SANParks and the South African conservation fraternity continues to request the support and cooperation of all members of society in identifying and reporting suspicious behaviour that could lead to the apprehension and conviction of these criminals.

Any incidents of rhino poaching or tip-offs that can prevent illegal killings, or lead to arrests can be reported to 0800 205 005.

Media contacts:

On behalf of Ichikowitz Family Foundation:

Magna Carta

Usman Aly
Account Director
[email protected]
Mobile: +27 83 229 8538 | Telephone: +27 11 784 2598

Lianne Osterberger
Consultant
[email protected]
Mobile: +27 83 27 27 313

SANParks:

wanda mkutshulwa
Head of Communications
[email protected]
Mobile: +27 82 908 2692 | Telephone: +27 12 426 5170

Rey Thakhuli,
GM Media, Events and Stakeholder Relations
[email protected]
Mobile: +27 73 3734999 | Telephone: +27 12 426 5170

Ike Phaahla SANParks
Media Specialist
[email protected]
Mobile: +27 83 6736974 | Telephone: +27 12 426 5315

Twitter information:
The topic #rhinosky, which referred to the launch event held in the Kruger National Park on Tuesday, 4 December 2012, was trending on Twitter during the event, as per Trendsmap.