Rhino Files 23 July

Rhino Poaching Count

 

558 Rhinos killed so far in 2014 

 

 

SANParks denies sale of Kruger rhinos

 

The Sunday Times have reported that Kruger National Park is planning to evacuate the 500 rhino to a secret location to save them from poaching. Four sources have allegedly said that half of the rhino would be sold to private buyers for about R60m, with the other half to be moved to a safe location.

 

SANparks have denied this, saying that Kruger is not planning the rhino or selling them to private buyers. "This matter is one of the matters currently under discussion by the board of SANParks and reporting on it was rather premature," spokesperson Wanda Mkutshulwa said in a statement.

 

 

Mkutshulwa also said the movement of rhino for their protection is not new or unusual in South Africa. 

 

 

Groenewald gang trial postponed

 

Dawie Groenewald, a South African game farmer and alleged rhino poacher involved in syndicates was expected to stand trial yesterday in the Gauteng North High Court in Pretoria.

 

The arrest of Groenewald and ten others including vets, game farm employees and a helicopter pilot amongst others took place almost four years ago. The case has now been postponed for another year pending the outcome of a court challenge to the South African government’s moratorium on internal trade in rhino horn.

 

The trial is provisionally set to take place on 4 August, 2015 but it is likely that there will be further postponements before the trial goes ahead.

 

When the accused eventually stand trial, they are expected to face thousands of counts including dealing in rhino horns, illegal hunting, racketeering, money-laundering and fraud.