FACE-2-FACE with RAGES Consultant Brent Cook
Chipembere Rhino Foundation
When did your personal interest in Rhino start?
Growing up KZNwith theHluhluwe–iMfolozi Parkon our doorstep and home of Operation Rhino in the 60’s, we spent many family holidays there and this area boasts the 2nd largest population of southern white rhino in the world.
Later, we ended up moving to the Eastern Cape where an opportunity arose to buy land on a reserve. We were able to buy rhino and began breeding them there.
Why did you start the foundation and tell us more about the name “Chipembere”
The foundation was established in November 2010 after we lost 2 White Rhino bulls to poaching, Chippy, our main breeding bull, and Isipho. This tragic event was the catalyst to us structuring our conservation efforts into one organization that could assist with the protection and preservation of rhino in Africa.
The name Chipembere has its roots in Africa. The word “Chipembere” means “White Rhinoceros” in Shona. Shona along with Ndebele is a principle language of Zimbabwe.
The common thread in the names Chip(py) and Chip(embere) made complete sense as the name for the foundation and through this association Chippy will forever be remembered.
The other poached bull, Isipho, meaning “gift” in Xhosa, was indeed a gift to the reserve. His mother was introduced to the reserve and unbeknown to us, was pregnant. The birth of Isipho took us all by surprise. He was 5 years old when poached and could have contributed significantly as a breeding bull.
Another of our rhino “Geza” meaning “the naughty one” in Xhosa, was symbolic in being the 1st rhino birth on the reserve. He was later sold on to another reserve where he was barbarically poached in February 2011 and was found staggering around alive. An account of this horrific incident was recorded by CRF trustee, Dr William Fowlds in his publication “Poached” and this incident forever committed Dr Fowlds life to the rhino.
These rhino are sorely missed by all who had the pleasure in sharing in their lives. Adamant that their deaths were not in vain, CRF is committed to remembering them through this very foundation.
Why is it so important to help protect the African Rhino?
Rhinos have roamed the earth for over 50-million years, they are an iconic species and one of the World’s greatest conservation success stories when saved from near extinction once before. Africa is home to more than 90% of the planet’s rhino population. If we cannot save the rhino what hope is there for the lessor recognised species?
Poaching levels have reached crisis point and should they continue escalating as they are, our rhino could face extinction.As it stands, the African rhino have been classified as critically endangered (the Black) and near threatened (the White).
They are one of the species that makes Africa truly unique therefore contributing to the expanding tourism industry in Africa. The tourism industry contributes significantly to the economy and as an employment creator for many African countries.
What are the biggest threats to Rhinos?
Humans, from human greed to human apathy.....
Is rhino poaching a crisis and why?
Yes, it is a crisis.
The population figures vary depending on who you consult but the most common figures supported are that there are approx 4,800 Black Rhino and 20,700 White Rhino. South Africa is home to approximately 90% of this remaining population.
In Asia, there are approx 2,450 Greater-One-Horned Rhino, between 150-200 Sumatran and between 28-45 Javan rhino left!
We have seen a surge in rhino poaching in South Africa since 2008:
From 2000 until 2007, a total of 120 rhino were poached.Then, we saw a massive acceleration in 2008 that continues unabated:
2008:83 rhino
2009:122 rhino
2010:333 rhino
2011:448 rhino
2012:668 rhino
2013:1,004 rhino
With 2013 poaching stats passing the 1000-rhino poached mark we can conclude that we are on the brink of a “tipping” point. This means that we are about to lose more rhino than what are been born. The gestation period for a rhino is aprox. 16 months. The interval between calving can be 3-4 years depending on conditions.
Then, the complexity of illegal wildlife trade and the intricacies of the web of criminality involved from corrupt governments, law enforcement, reserve staff and down to the desperate unemployed population to the syndicates and kingpins all make rhino poaching very hard to stop!
Thanks to a growing middle class in end user countries, more and more people are able to afford what is accentually illegally obtained rhino horn, and the demand is escalating. According to experts, only the trade in drugs and illegal arms now rivals the illegal wildlife trafficking market for profit and exploitation.
We have lost 146+ rhino so far in 2014.
How do we stop rhino poaching and how does CRF help?
We believe that there is no “silver” bullet to saving this species – a multi-pronged approach is needed that includes protection, gathering intelligence that feeds to a greater network that creates a safer and better protected environment for rhino, global awareness & education, trans-locations to safer areas and countries and reducing the demand for rhino horn. The judicial system needs to be brought in line to ensure that maximum sentences are given to all role players in poaching syndicates and government needs to become more active in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.
As an NGO run by volunteers CRF specialises in continuously sourcing, testing and funding the right technology for effective and meaningful monitoring of rhino and providing the anti-poaching teams with the necessary equipment to give them the support they need on the ground.
The equipment we provide plays apivotal role in the day to day monitoring and protection of Rhino populations in large natural areas. This technology and equipment allows for the Monitoring and Anti-Poaching units to be close at hand to the rhino they protect and have the necessary tools to complete their duty in a hostile environment.
Why do private rhino owners need financial assistance to protect their rhino? And does the foundation assist any of the national parks?
Most private rhino owners in South Africa did not budget in having a para-military type element to protecting their rhino when they got behind the conservation of rhino, since the 60’s poaching had not beena real threat up until 2008. The financial strain to protect rhino is forcing many rhino owners to sell their rhino. In an ideal world, all rhino should be monitored 24-7 to ensure their protection but the reality is not many can afford it without outside assistance.
Yes, CRFdoes assist with a national park based in the Eastern Cape.
Tell us more about what the foundation does and some of the projects you are currently busy with?
VHF COLLARING: this is an on-going project in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal. We have already collared over 70 rhino. Currently, we have had to refurbish 6 collars in Jan/Feb and have donated a further 7 – equating to an approx R27k donation.
GPS SATELLITE COLLARS:6 Botswana rhino trans-located to the Delta last year will be receiving new collars in April - an R77k donation
GROUND TO AIR RADIOS: Four units donated to Shamwari, Lalibela, Pumba and local SAPS task team – an approx R16k donation
DEVELOPMENT OF CRF MERCHANDISE: Bushstrapshas come on board and we have invested R6k in merchandise to sell to raise funds.
TECHNOLOGY:Visited Pretoria with the company that supplies our tracking devices for the Rhino. Some great new technology is coming out that we willtrial at 2 large reserves in the Eastern Cape beginning March.
SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT: CRF purchased specialised equipment that has been loaned to the HAWKS in the Eastern Cape to assist with their rhino investigation work – an approx R17k donation.
DISTRIBUTION OF RATIONS: CRF turned a R3.5k monetary donation from SuperSpar into rations for anti-poaching units. These were distributed to 3 private reserves and 1 provincial park to supplement their current rations for foot patrol teams.
LONG RANGE ANTENAE: Delivery of 2 long range antennaefor theanti-poaching and monitoring team we support in Botswana – an approx donation of R2.3k
TRACKING DOG PROJECT: we are working on a joint venture with Mastertons Coffee in Port Elizabeth.
How can we as Rotarians help save Rhino?
The following are items that are in CRF’s Rhino International Survival Kit (RISK box) that YOUR club could help sponsor:
* General Anti-Poaching Equipment (HELP PROTECT THE PROTECTORS):
Uniforms USD100
Boots USD100
Bullet Proof Vests USD450
Torches USD60
Vehicle Handheld Spotlights USD100
Binoculars USD270
Handheld GPS USD320
Hydration Backpack USD160
* Monitoring Equipment for RHINO PROTECTION:
VHF Tracking collar USD250
VHF Horn implant USD200
GPS Satellite collar USD2100
Handheld VHF Receiver USD750
Antennae Short Range (compact) USD250
Antennae Long Range USD150
Ground to Air Handheld Radios USD370
Handheld Infared Thermal Imaging camera USD6400
Camera Traps with Realtime MMS Infrared Black Flash USD580
Helicopter Surveillance Flight (per hour) USD450
* Some of the examples of donated items. Firearms etc. are excluded. Prices are estimate based on variable exchange rate $/Rand