South Africa's Rhinos are heading for extinction - Put a stop to rhino poaching
- by: Outraged SA Citizens against poaching - you can find them on Facebook
- recipient: The South African State President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Members of Parliament
Our rhino population is being poached at an alarming rate because people in China, Taiwan and the far east believe rhino horn is an aphrodisiac and can cure cancer amongst other ills. This is simply not true, and if they continue poaching our rhino are in danger of becoming extinct. 448 rhino were poached in 2011 and currently a rhino does every 21 hours in South Africa. Letter by CW Gerber:
Dear State President,Ministers,Deputy Ministers,Members of Parliament,
13 December 2011
FINAL PLEA: SHOW YOUR ALLEGIANCE AND ACT ON THE RHINO POACHING PANDEMIC
I am saddened to be in a position to have to write this open letter to you. Embarrassed, due to the fact that it seems like our beloved country’s rulers and powers that be, are either incapable, or not interested in protecting this beautiful component of our (and the worlds) heritage. I am saddened, due to the fact that recent history unfortunately does not show any positive or sustainable anti poaching result.
Yes, we do hear of a poacher being caught here and there, but that is not enough anymore.
Rhino die on a daily basis. Extinction was eminent in the 1930s, and due to complete commitment by the powers that be at that stage, these magnificent animals were re established in its natural environment. Now that’s what I call commitment, Mr State President and colleagues. That showed South Africa’s commitment to conservation. True Spirit, the African way!
Extinction creeps closer on a daily basis now. If nothing drastic and constructive is done real, real soon, you and I will become the grandparents of children who will never ever have had the privilege of having seen a live rhino. And neither you, nor I, want to be part of a generation known for allowing the extinction of these gentle dinosaurs.
I therefore respectfully ask of you, no, I beg of you, to see this situation in its real perspective.
I can weave the reality for you: during this week, one of our country’s citizens was executed in China for trafficking approximately 3 kilograms of illegal drugs. But I can also tell you that in the region of 6500 kg of rhino horn formed part of illegal trade in the past two years while many, many of these rhino poaching suspects are either walking around on bail, or are not convicted yet. Is this right? Is this proper? Is this acceptable? Is this the way to gamble with our African heritage? Is it right to gamble with what is not rightfully ours, but what is trusted in our custody for the enjoyment of our future generations? My grand children? Your grand children?
Do we demand action, or do we beg it from you? We are willing to do both, but we want results now.
I commit to you that this letter is not the point of view of me as one individual, but the concern of a whole nation of approximately fifty million people. MY nation, MY people, whom I dearly love.
Yours faithfully
CW Gerber
Dear State President,Ministers,Deputy Ministers,Members of Parliament,
PLEA: SHOW YOUR ALLEGIANCE AND ACT ON THE RHINO POACHING PANDEMIC
We, the undersigned, are saddened to write this open letter to you. We are asking South Africa's rulers and powers that be, to assist in protecting this beautiful component of the world's heritage. We are saddened, due to the fact that recent history unfortunately does not show any positive or sustainable anti poaching result.
Yes, we do hear of a poacher being caught here and there, but that is not enough anymore.
Rhino die on a daily basis, most times a cruel and excruciating death. Mothers are killed and babies left to die. Extinction was eminent in the 1930s, and due to complete commitment by the powers that be at that stage, these magnificent animals were re established in their natural environment. Now that’s what we call commitment, Mr State President and colleagues. That showed South Africa’s commitment to conservation. True Spirit, the African way!
Extinction creeps closer on a daily basis now. If nothing drastic and constructive is done real, real soon, you and I will become the grandparents of children who will never ever have the privilege of having seen a live rhino. And neither of us want to be part of a generation known for allowing the extinction of these gentle dinosaurs.
We therefore respectfully ask of you, no, we beg of you, to see this situation in its real perspective.
We can weave the reality for you: recently, one of our country’s citizens was executed in China for trafficking approximately 3 kilograms of illegal drugs. But I can also tell you that in the region of 6500 kg of rhino horn formed part of illegal trade in the past two years while many, many of these rhino poaching suspects are either walking around on bail, or are not convicted yet. Is this right? Is this proper? Is this acceptable? Is this the way to gamble with our African heritage? Is it right to gamble with what is not rightfully ours, but what is trusted in our custody for the enjoyment of our future generations? Our grand children? Your grand children?
Do we demand action, or do we beg it from you? We are willing to do both, and we thank you for taking drastic action.
we commit to you that this letter is not the point of view of one individual, but the concern of a whole nation of approximately fifty million people including many other people, worldwide.
Yours faithfully
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