The #10yearchallenge has been doing the rounds on social media lately and while it has gotten a few laughs and a look back this one is the most important
All the #10yearchallenge posts have been looking back at how we looked 10 years ago but the NSPCA – National Council of SPCAs shared a photo of what 2029 will look like if we do not stop rhino poaching.
“The real #10yearchallenge. On average, 3 rhinos are poached on a daily basis. If this continues, there will be no rhinos left in ten years time. Say no to the rhino horn trade. Save our rhinos”
In the last ten years, over 6527 rhinos have been poached (the final 2018 statistics have not been released yet, this number is accurate as of the 31st of August 2018 according to the Department of Environmental Affairs).
The good news is that there has been a decline each year since 2014. With continued efforts in supporting anti-poaching projects, these numbers can continue to drop.
In 2018 13 wildlife traffickers (five Chinese nationals and eight South Africans) were arrested between 1 January and 31 August by the Hawks. More than 60.92kg of rhino horn was confiscated and linked to poaching crime scenes in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape.
162 arrests of alleged poachers were made in Kruger National Park for the period 1 January 2018 to 31 August 2018 and a total of 145 weapons were seized in rhino-related incidents both inside and outside the Kruger National Park since the beginning of 2018 and a total of 83 rhino horn confiscated in the same period.
From January to August 2018 a total of 70 cases, involving 163 accused were finalized. The trials have resulted in 93% guilty verdicts, translating to 288 years in sentencing.
The Department of Environmental Affairs calls on members of the public to report any suspicious activities around wildlife to its environmental crime hotline which is 0800 205 005 or the SAPS number 10111.
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