Poaching Taking Toll

Kruger National Park has unfortunately become ground zero for the increased poaching of rhinos and elephants in the RSA.

http://news.yahoo.com/african-rhino-poaching-hits-record-asian-demand-094137682.html

The poaching patrols over there are interesting. I would not want to see or meet any of those people in a dark alley; I would be six feet under and they would not even smile, just have another cigarette.

I know where I hunted they spend an unreal amount of money to help stop poaching.

Sad that it is what it is and the more wild the area by far the worse the poaching is.

You need to read these "news reports" carefully, particularly when concerning African wildlife. As with all news today, it seems there is some sort of agenda. I have no doubt poaching occurs in Kruger, as well as throughout all of Africa and even America. What the story doesn't say is that the rhino poaching has increased as the population has increased. Not really a surprise, but it is good news the population of rhinos has increased so dramatically. Additionally, poaching increases due to the economic misfortunes of many African nations. The government corruption in Zimbabwe helps create an army of criminals willing to poach. Think of it this way. If poaching a bison in Yellowstone Park would bring you a payday of about 10 years salary, how many low lifes in the US would try to poach a bison in Yellowstone? Rhino poaching in Africa can bring a payday easily exceeding 10 years wages for most of these villagers.

Like cocaine, you have to tackle the market demand, in this case in Asia. Poaching patrols can even be bribed in Africa, and while generally quite effective they have a huge area to cover and limited resources, unlike the criminal syndicates doing the poaching.
I don't have the answers, just commenting on another superficial news story. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Bill