FLYING4RHINO

[flying4rhino]

I am determined to help and support the, South African Rhino Poaching Crisis , after hearing about 4 rhinos that were slaughtered in (Lalibela) private Game Reserve South Africa for their horns, reported UK (Daily Mail 27/09/12), I have been moved, by this story and very saddened and feel compelled to do something. As you are no doubt aware in South Africa alone, 440 rhinos have been killed so far, in 2012!

Aerial support has proven to be an essential element of addressing the African poaching crisis. Conservation workers are drastically loosing rhinos to poaching due to lack of air support. I am willing to offer my time, money and microlight flying experience to fight against this mindless barbaric killing of theses innocent endangered species, close to extinction in the wild.

A couple of pilots from my club here in the UK, have already said they want to take part. I am very Interested to hear from the anyone in the South African Microlight community who is either currently involved in rhino anti-poaching aerial patrols, we could team up with or keen to help us, establish a base where we could operate from, to work alongside and support a variety of pro-active Rhino anti poaching projects. Our aim is to club together purchase a microlight, then having a volunteer trained pilots, doing approx 1 month stints handing over the operation to the next, continuing with fundamental aerial patrols.

Frank

[Papillon]

Hi Frank

I too get equally pee'd off at all the rhino poaching especially since Lalibela and Kariega (2 rhinos also poached earlier this year) game reserves are right on our doorstep! The problem however is far more complicated than it outwardly appears. These guys are quite brazen and very organised. Most "hits" occur during the night and a lot of them are suspected to have resulted from some degree of insider involvement.

I seriously doubt whether microlights flying in daylight over the reserves with rhino will have very much effect at all unfortunately. Also there are many reserves which equals lots and lots of ground to cover. This problem needs high level intervention. Such a pity that our government doesn't really see the urgency.

[kloot piloot]

Hi Frank,
There are lots of organisations involved but very few are organised to have a real impact. Lots of donations end up feeding the systems and not the actual cause, making it all a bit difficult to decide whether to help / donate etc.

However, the best concerted effort at the moment is being run by RAGE (Rhino Action Group Effort). They are credible and have shown accountability.
I am sure a group of you, as you mentioned, could make a difference by contacting them. www.rhinorage.org

As Papillon corectly said, these murderers are highly organised and, as noble a notion as you may have, 1 microlight won't help, UNLESS ..... it is done through RAGE. They have a much bigger picture, and information at their disposal, to possibly apply a microlight at the right time, in the right area.

I think lots of pilots will offer their time to assist with this.

Give it a go and let us know what they say.

[flying4rhino]

Thanks I will check them out! if, interested to hear from anyone who can help.

If aerial surveillance reduces rhino poaching, the answer is, we need to increase air power? an eye in the sky is one of best weapons, against poaching. Iam prepared to dedicate my time setting up this initiative and specialises in this area, and then raise funds here in the UK, with resources directly funding this specific initiative, to do just that! my aim is to set up a registered charity here in the UK run completely by volunteers.


Frank

[Papillon]

Hi Frank

I honestly believe that any and all support would be most welcome and appreciated. As Kloot says, be sure to channel it through the right organisations.

Somewhere along the line though, the problem needs to be addressed from other aspects too eg. much harsher sentences for poachers. Why Chinese people create such demand for certain things based on unfounded hearsay boggles the mind???? That said, many things currently happening in this country boggle my mind

[ZULU1]

Well it seems Doug Braum and his team are doing a great job in Tanzania and seem to be making a difference..they use the twin comms sets and dual Vee rabbits which they had sponsored, 912 Aquillas,(perfect machine for the job). Hes nailed a few I understand..

[Tumbleweed]

Check also http://www.bateleurs.co.za/missions-flo ... trols.html
and search 'membership'. Not exclusive to anti-poaching but they can give you an idea.

Several private reserves view any activity with suspicion and would rather blast planes out the sky than consider help. Consider that a game ranger could score 6 months wages just by providing info.

I personally think we should pool resources and commission hit men to take out the rhino horn sniffing Chinese and Arab end users. If you can’t persuade the end users then you just put a higher demand on the product.

I also think it’s time for SITES to reconsider allowing credible game reserves and owners to legally sell their rhino horn and ivory on an open auction. These animals which have died natural deaths could finance credible conservation and bring down the value of the market.

[ZULU1]

There are many initiatives in KZN, ECR have piled in big time

http://www.ecr.co.za/kagiso/content/en/ ... hino-Watch

[kloot piloot]

By the way, RAGE is a LeadSA initiative. This means you have investigative radio stations like 702, Cape Talk, Pretoria News and other big media on your side.

[flying4rhino]

Thanks for all the replies, checking out all the all the links and info you’ve all sent , I will keep you up with developments soon.

Frank

[flying4rhino]

I will be posted a press release soon about my plans , please watch this space!

Frank

[Squirrel]

I will be posted a press release soon about my plans , please watch this space!

Frank

Kudo's Frank. I wish there were more people like you. Keep us updated.

[flying4rhino]

Get ready to join me, in the fight against the mindless barbaric killing of rhinos.

Its time for action! Talk is cheap!
I am about to release my press release soon, the message is clear, all will be revealed.
I will need the support of the South African Microlight Community.
Since Lalibea last month,I have been carring out some extensive research.
Its time for a change!

[LarryMcG]

Hi Frank

I am based in Grahamstown, about 30 km from where the 4 rhino were killed at Lalibela.
I run a small microlight training school, and would happily help / participate any effort in this regard.
I am a member of batteleurs.
I was a professional hunter for 15 years, and know the game industry very well.
I personally know most of the game farms / rhino properties in the Eastern Cape.

Under accidents in this forum, there is a mention of a trike accident near Grahamstown. This all revolved around bad weather, and a trike trying to do a precautionary landing at Lalibela, where he was chased away by armed rangers. We have subsequently had meetings, and the game farms would now invite us / appreciate any help.

I will happily co-ordinate any efforts based in the Eastern cape - which is the way that I think this should be done, with one co-ordinator from each of the areas / provinces.

Cheers

Larry McGillewie
larry@albanynet.co.za

[Dobbs]

I see that there are two threads dealing with the same topic?

I have posted on the other thread, although I see a number of people have posted much along the lines of my comments.

I spend around 15 - 20 hours a month in the air exclusively for three game reserves in the North Eastern part of KZN, and then the best we can do is to check for fence damage, any carcasses, and hopefully show the local inhabitants that the game reserves are being watched.