Mr Rhino

Food for thought. Why do we need Cyclists to join up? The beast out there is far bigger than we can ever imagine. I have been playing with some figures and this is the state of affairs. 2010 saw a total (that we are aware of) of 333 rhinos being poached. 323 white and 10 black rhino. This is a total loss of approx R250 Mil which has been stolen from our national wildlife asset. There are some 28000 rhino left in the world, and humans total 6,5 Billion. For every 1 rhino there are approx 230 000 humans. 1:230000. So if we push for extinction, for every 1 rhino taken down, 230000 humans should suffer a similar fate. With this in mind 333 rhino were poached last year, which would equate to 76,5 million humans. Would there be an out cry if we loss so many of our own specie? We look forward to all Cyclists joinig our ranks. Regards Conserv

Thanks to Anthony, one of our trained and committed Members, on leaving his farm this morning on the Nooitgedacht road in Magalies comes across a middle-aged lady who was fighting for her life at approx 07h20 and saved the day. She set off cycling along a very tranquil, beautiful open stretch of road when a 16 year old youth who was also walking on the road with his dogs confronted her. The youth set his dogs on her and she in protest was forced to get off her bike.(16 yrs old, 07h20 in the morning with evil intentions, what will he be like when he is in his late twenties?)The dogs bit her, and he grabbed her by the hair. She fought back offering him her cellphone, bicycle, which he said he was going to take either way, but preffered to rape her first. For fifty metres the fight ensued, in the process he also bit her - animal! hit her with sticks and kicked her in the privates. On Anthony's arrival and the youth ran off, she was a mess. SAPS are in hot pursuit, and knowing the Magalies/Hekpoort Police I am sure they will get him, and talk to him in a language he understands. Well done to Anthony and others, we are proud to have you as members. We are looking for many more 'Volunteers' like Anthony. We posted a topic on the 'hub' on the 12th Dec 2010 under the heading 'Rhino Volunteers', visit it for more info.Cheers

Chasing the foot soldier on the ground is the lowest level of fighting poaching, however we need to talk to them - the poacher in a language they understand. The demand for Rhino horn is where we have to place our time and energy. We have to educate the Eastern masses that killing rhino for some out dated culture is wrong in this modern world of ours, any suggestions?

Feedback regarding last nights (14/12) Rhino Volunteer's Meeting. We had a great turn out. Thank you to all from the cycling faternity who attended. We plan another meeting early next year for those who could not make it. Please follow the the procedures in the original post if you would like to join. This is an ongiong dynamic process. We do it for Our Rhino, and if we save or prevent 1 Rhino from being poached, it was worth it! Regards

Thats the spirit, we definitely will be able to ues your services. Please forward your email by sms to 0832729817 in order for our office to assist you. We look forward to hearing from you. Regards

I share your sentiments, however there are far more good guys out there than other. At the end of the day I do it for our Rhino.

Thanks for the Question. I can't comment on behalf of The Wildlife Ranching Of South Africa (WRSA)however I am an member of the Rhino Chamber. At the latest WRSA meeting it was resolved to spend R60000-00 on equipment such as 'scanners' which will be handed over to the SAPS. Such scanners will be deployed in the field to ID all endangered species that have been chipped, including elephant tusks, rhino horn, cycads etc. It goes without saying that any attempt to prevent rhino poaching will be beneficial to all Rhino Owners (state or public). Hope this gives some clarity.

Sorry for coming in 'cold'. I just think it is a case of lots to do in such a little time. It would be great for cyclists who have bush knowledge to come on board, mainly proactively. You Guys also are on the road, so you see a lot and this could be vauble in the fight against Rhino poaching. No we are not looking for funding from Volunteers, we want time, energy, intel etc. Lets call it 'riding for Rhinos'.