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On 29th November, Green Renaissance made a public statement by placing 282 crosses on the lawns of the Sea Point promenade in Cape Town – in protest against the senseless killings of rhinos in South Africa.
“It’s one thing to see 282 crosses on a piece of paper, and on your computer screen, but physically putting together 282 wooden crosses makes you realize the heartbreaking extent of this crisis – something that people all over the world will be taking a stand against today on World Rhino Day”, commented Green Renaissance.
A staggering 421 rhino’s have been poached in South Africa this year alone (as of 29 Nov 11). These statistics include already de-horned rhinos, calves and expecting mothers. They exclude, however, the number of rhinos exported to international zoos and hunting farms. The rhino is on the list of critically endangered species, with the Javan and Western Black Rhino recently declared extinct in the wild.
Jomo (see image) was destined to be auctioned to either a hunting farm or a foreign zoo (where many a rhino has died due to inhospitable environments or the lack of suitable vegetation). Thanks to funds raised by Palala Rhino Sanctuary, he was saved from this destiny and he has since adapted extremely well with his new found family. The hope is to do so with many more rhinos.
The necessity to create public awareness around our dying heritage must become a matter of urgency for the South African government who can place a moratorium on rhino trophy hunting, at least until the species has had time to recover and make rhino horn trading illegal.
Statistics prove that there are not have enough rhinos (and that the speed of horn growth is not rapid enough) to produce the vast amount of horn required to saturate the market and therefore it will not bring down the trade value. This will also not stop the poachers from being illegally paid by the kingpins. Instead the focus should be on educating foreign countries that rhino horn has no medicinal value.
Few things are more enchanting and picturesque than a full moon! Unfortunately for our rhinos, every full moon equals a death threat. Poachers use this opportunity to invade reserves without being noticed. They have no need to use spotlights or torches, thus they become unseen. Full moon on 10 December 2011 is an ideal opportunity to emphasize the brutal slaughter of our precious rhino species. Four hundred and twenty one (421) (and counting) white crosses will be erected on Bosmansdam Road in front of the Bothasig Nature reserve.
All citizens are invited to join in from 10:00 am on Saturday to witness or participate in this significant event.
Palala Rhino Sanctuary: https://www.facebook.com/palalarhinosanctuary
Article: Marché Poole on behalf of Palala Rhino Sanctuary
Images: Jomo the rhino by Nigel G Goodman