A very large haul of Ivory and pangolin scales were discovered by Wildlife suveillance teams at
Entebbe Airport on Sunday.
There were over 700Kg of ivory and 2 TONS of pangolin skins in three boxes due for export.
Raw ivory sells for around $2 100 a kg at markets in China, according to Save the Elephants.The
scaly-skinned pangolin is used in traditional medicine in China, with exploding demand in Asia
making it one of the most trafficked mammals in the world.
The boxes had been labelled as communications equipment, and had been cleared for export by customs officials. Their lame excuse was that the boxes were too heavy to be scanned by X-ray machines, but wildlife surveillance teams insisted they must be searched. So the customs officials were obviously in on it.
Three people including a customs officer, a clerk and a truck driver have been arrested. Uganda is a key transit country for the illegal trade in ivory, especially from the huge rain forests of the Democratic Repuiblic of the Congo
Total No of Rhinos slaughtered in South Africa to End of December 2021 = 451 Official figures. Note: the number of wild rhinos in Kruger has declined from 3,500 to 2,800 in one year. Read my blog below for Headlines from around the World concerning the Global Catastrophe that is causing the biggest mass extinction since the Permian Period, and News of the fight to stop the slaughter of the Planet's Wildlife before it is too late.
Thursday, 29 January 2015
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Kenyan Ivory smuggler denied bail
In a rare moment of common sense, the Kenyan auth orities have denied bail to suspected ivory smuggler Feisal Mohammed over evading investigations by a Mombasa court on Friday.
Senior Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku said Mohammed resorted to running away from justice knowing the charges he was facing in Kenya.
The Mombasa businessman was arrested in Tanzania in a joint operation with local police and Interpol.
Senior Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku said Mohammed resorted to running away from justice knowing the charges he was facing in Kenya.
The Mombasa businessman was arrested in Tanzania in a joint operation with local police and Interpol.
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
Rhino poachers killed in Kruger
Two suspected Rhino poachers were shot dead on Monday after they opened fire on rangers in South Africa's Kruger National Park, a park spokesman said.
The rangers were on patrol when they came across a trio of armed men who started shooting.
However, two of the men were killed while a third escaped.They had equipment on them that is integral to rhino poaching, including an axe which would be used for cutting off the horns.
The clash took place in the far south of the vast park, which is the size of Israel.
I'd have said they were more than 'suspected poachers'. I doubt they were on a photographic safari.
The rangers were on patrol when they came across a trio of armed men who started shooting.
However, two of the men were killed while a third escaped.They had equipment on them that is integral to rhino poaching, including an axe which would be used for cutting off the horns.
The clash took place in the far south of the vast park, which is the size of Israel.
I'd have said they were more than 'suspected poachers'. I doubt they were on a photographic safari.
Monday, 5 January 2015
Elephant numbers in parts of Zimbabwe dropped by 40% since 2001
The elephant population of the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe has decreased by more than 40 percent in the last 13 years. It is almost entirely due to rise in poaching, A new survey released this month as part ofthe Pan African elephant survey confirms the figures. Some Preliminary Results show that elephant numbers decreased by about 75 percent in the combined Matusadona and Chizarira areas.
"While for example the Zambezi valley has dropped from 19 000 to 13 000 elephants since the census in 2001, we also need to remember that if you take into account that an elephant population under no stress increases at about seven percent per year, we have probably lost more than just 6 000 elephants in this area," said a spokesperson.
Poaching has been out of control in Central and East Africa for several years and has clearly already reached Zimbabwe.
Given the apparent callous disregard for the fate of the so called 'Presidential Herd' last year, I wonder what the Government will do to curb the rampant decimation of the elephant population in the Country.
"While for example the Zambezi valley has dropped from 19 000 to 13 000 elephants since the census in 2001, we also need to remember that if you take into account that an elephant population under no stress increases at about seven percent per year, we have probably lost more than just 6 000 elephants in this area," said a spokesperson.
Poaching has been out of control in Central and East Africa for several years and has clearly already reached Zimbabwe.
Given the apparent callous disregard for the fate of the so called 'Presidential Herd' last year, I wonder what the Government will do to curb the rampant decimation of the elephant population in the Country.
Friday, 2 January 2015
Ivory stolen from secure storage in Zambia
Thieves have broken into one of the high security rooms at the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA)
regional office in Livingstone and stolen more than 30 pieces of ivory tusks worth about K1 million.
Three ZAWA officers at the station and five other people, among them a local taxi driver
allegedly used to ferry the valuable commodity, have been arrested by police.
Amazing isn't it that this continues to happen. Corruption is rife. They'd be better off burning all this confiscated Ivory, thus removing any possibility of it being used for financial gain.
regional office in Livingstone and stolen more than 30 pieces of ivory tusks worth about K1 million.
Three ZAWA officers at the station and five other people, among them a local taxi driver
allegedly used to ferry the valuable commodity, have been arrested by police.
Amazing isn't it that this continues to happen. Corruption is rife. They'd be better off burning all this confiscated Ivory, thus removing any possibility of it being used for financial gain.
Monday, 29 December 2014
Boss of major rhino poaching syndicate arrested in South Africa
A 45-year-old man said to be the kingpin of rhino horn poaching in KwaZulu-Natal has been arrested. His wife, and his second-in-command were arrested in a separate swoop in Hluhluwe.
Barend Lottering of Nyathi Anti-Poaching Unit said the swoop was the culmination of an eight-month intelligence-driven operation. Lottering warned that while it appeared they had a water-tight case against the man because he had been caught in possession of a rhino horn, he had already evaded prosecution on several occasions.
“This man is the leader of KZN’s biggest rhino-poaching syndicate and about 80 percent of the horns
in the province go through his hands.
While the man claims he is unemployed, the Asset Forfeiture Unit seized six luxury vehicles from his premises including a BMW X5 and a 3-series, a Mercedes Kompressor, a Toyota Land Cruiser and a
Prada. The vehicles are valued at a total of R3 million. According to sources who walked through the man’s house, 3km outside Manguzi in Northern Zululand, evidence of ready cash was everywhere.
Lets hope this time the evidence doesn't go missing and they aren't foolish enough to let him out
on bail.
Barend Lottering of Nyathi Anti-Poaching Unit said the swoop was the culmination of an eight-month intelligence-driven operation. Lottering warned that while it appeared they had a water-tight case against the man because he had been caught in possession of a rhino horn, he had already evaded prosecution on several occasions.
“This man is the leader of KZN’s biggest rhino-poaching syndicate and about 80 percent of the horns
in the province go through his hands.
While the man claims he is unemployed, the Asset Forfeiture Unit seized six luxury vehicles from his premises including a BMW X5 and a 3-series, a Mercedes Kompressor, a Toyota Land Cruiser and a
Prada. The vehicles are valued at a total of R3 million. According to sources who walked through the man’s house, 3km outside Manguzi in Northern Zululand, evidence of ready cash was everywhere.
Lets hope this time the evidence doesn't go missing and they aren't foolish enough to let him out
on bail.
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Poachers snares in Uganda
Recent efforts by the Uganda Wildlife Authority have reduced the incidents of finding poachers wire snares from 7000 a year to just one or two a week.
Snares are indiscriminate killers, often catching animals that weren't the intended target and always causing a slow and painful death. Many of the endangered Rothschild's Giraffes of Murchison Falls National Park have been lost in the way.
Snares are indiscriminate killers, often catching animals that weren't the intended target and always causing a slow and painful death. Many of the endangered Rothschild's Giraffes of Murchison Falls National Park have been lost in the way.
War threatens the remaining wildlife populations in South Sudan
Ongoing violence in South Sudan is threatening whats left of the Wildlife with extinction, according to WCS conservationists in the Country.
Species in danger include elephants, giraffe, Nile Lechwe, Tiang and many more. In the 1970's there were 80,000 elephants in S Sudan, the number is now only 2500.
Every dry season combatants from both rebel and government forces see these animals as a massive source of bush meat.
From 2010 WCS has been running a programme to secure all the remaining elephant populations.This has involved intelligence-led enforcement, elephant monitoring, community based conservation partnerships and Protected Area management.
However since the current hostilities broke out in December 2013 as many as 30% of all elephants may have been killed.
Despite the war, WCS has been continuing its field work, supported by USAID, and GEF/UNDP, and private donors Paul G. Allen Foundation and Enlyst Fund, in cooperation with local communities.
Field activities involve raising awareness of the need for urgent wildlife protection, terrestrial and
aerial monitoring of wildlife populations, threats, and human activity, securing Park infrastructure,
supporting anti-poaching and anti-trafficking operations, expanding community conservation partnerships and livelihoods activities. These actions have contributed to the securing of protected area infrastructures, and protection of key wildlife populations (including elephant and giraffe) in several areas, but much more needs to be done.
Read this story in much more detail at at http://allafrica.com/stories/201412100859.html
Species in danger include elephants, giraffe, Nile Lechwe, Tiang and many more. In the 1970's there were 80,000 elephants in S Sudan, the number is now only 2500.
Every dry season combatants from both rebel and government forces see these animals as a massive source of bush meat.
From 2010 WCS has been running a programme to secure all the remaining elephant populations.This has involved intelligence-led enforcement, elephant monitoring, community based conservation partnerships and Protected Area management.
However since the current hostilities broke out in December 2013 as many as 30% of all elephants may have been killed.
Despite the war, WCS has been continuing its field work, supported by USAID, and GEF/UNDP, and private donors Paul G. Allen Foundation and Enlyst Fund, in cooperation with local communities.
Field activities involve raising awareness of the need for urgent wildlife protection, terrestrial and
aerial monitoring of wildlife populations, threats, and human activity, securing Park infrastructure,
supporting anti-poaching and anti-trafficking operations, expanding community conservation partnerships and livelihoods activities. These actions have contributed to the securing of protected area infrastructures, and protection of key wildlife populations (including elephant and giraffe) in several areas, but much more needs to be done.
Read this story in much more detail at at http://allafrica.com/stories/201412100859.html
Friday, 5 December 2014
Canadian rhino horn smuggler pleads guilty in New York court
Xiao Ju Guan, also know as Tony Guan, a Canadian antiques dealer, pleaded guilty November 25 in a federal court in New York City to attempting to smuggle rhinoceros horns from New York to Canada.
Guan was arrested in March as part of Operation Crash, a nationwide crackdown on illegal trafficking in rhinoceros horns, for his role in smuggling rhinoceros horns as well as items carved from elephant ivory and coral from auction houses throughout the United States to Canada, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
As part of his plea, Guan admitted that he, and others acting at his direction, smuggled more than
$400,000 of rhino horns and sculptures made from elephant ivory and coral from various U.S. auction houses to Canada.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2015.
Guan was arrested in March as part of Operation Crash, a nationwide crackdown on illegal trafficking in rhinoceros horns, for his role in smuggling rhinoceros horns as well as items carved from elephant ivory and coral from auction houses throughout the United States to Canada, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
As part of his plea, Guan admitted that he, and others acting at his direction, smuggled more than
$400,000 of rhino horns and sculptures made from elephant ivory and coral from various U.S. auction houses to Canada.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2015.
Thursday, 4 December 2014
Kenya's Elephant population is increasing.
The number of elephants has increased to 35,720, despite poaching in various parts of the country.
Kenya Wildlife Service director William Kiprono said the elephant population was 34,000 two years ago. He said measures put in place to stop poaching are bearing fruit.
However, he also reported that the number of tourists visiting parks has dropped by half due to fears of insecurity.
"Kenya is largely a safe country, especially within the parks, but the few cases of insecurity, especially at the Coast, cause panic among tourists," he said.
Ebola has also played its part as people don't seem to realise just how big Africa is and how far away Liberia is from Kenya. It is closer to London than Kenya.
Kenya Wildlife Service director William Kiprono said the elephant population was 34,000 two years ago. He said measures put in place to stop poaching are bearing fruit.
However, he also reported that the number of tourists visiting parks has dropped by half due to fears of insecurity.
"Kenya is largely a safe country, especially within the parks, but the few cases of insecurity, especially at the Coast, cause panic among tourists," he said.
Ebola has also played its part as people don't seem to realise just how big Africa is and how far away Liberia is from Kenya. It is closer to London than Kenya.
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