In South Africa and Botswana, due to the coronavirus lockdown, poachers are acting undisturbed and there are more cases of injured or killed rhinos
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himThe coronavirus and the lockdown have stopped the world. Unfortunately, however, wild animals, for this very reason, are increasingly threatened and risk becoming further victims of the pandemic. Among them the rhinos. Nico Jacobs, founder of an organization that helps them in South Africa, denounces the situation in which these animals find themselves.
The past few weeks have not been easy for Nico Jacobs, founder of Rhino 911, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency helicopter transport for rhinos in need of rescue in South Africa. Why? Due to the coronavirus lockdown, poachers can act undisturbed, even in areas that were previously closed to him.
Since South Africa announced a national blockade to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus on March 23, it has been reported an episode of rhino poaching almost every day.
Jacobs told The New York Times, what the last few weeks have been like: On March 25, he rescued a 2-month-old white rhino whose mother had been killed by poachers. The next day he was called to rescue two black rhinos whose horns had been taken away by poachers and by the time he finally managed to track down the injured animals it was too late, both of them were dead.
At least nine rhinos have been hunted in South Africa's northwestern province since the blockade, he said "and they are only the ones we know".
In the neighbor BotswanaAt least six rhinos have been hunted by poachers since the country closed its borders to stop the spread of Covid-19, according to Rhino Conservation Botswana, a non-profit organization.
Poaching incidents are certainly not unusual in Africa, over 10 cases related to rhinos have been reported in the last 9000 years, but recent cases in Botswana and South Africa they are unusual in that have occurred in tourism hotspots which, until now, were considered relatively safe havens for wild animals.
The restrictions, quarantine and closure of borders have severely limited the tourism sector with damage estimated at 39 billion dollars and unfortunately this situation, as well as on people, is also having a very negative impact on animals, already at risk of extinction. .
As Tim Davenport, who heads the species conservation programs for Africa at the Wildlife Conservation Society, told The New York Times:
"These animals are not only protected by rangers, but are also protected from the tourist presence. If you are a poacher, you will not go to a place where there are many tourists, you will go to a place where there are few. "
South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya and other African countries, among others, rely on tourism to fund wildlife conservation. Without such income, many private parks and reserves may not be able to pay employees.
In hopes of alleviating the situation, the Nature Conservancy, a U.S.-based environmental organization, recently began raising funds for cash-strapped parks, reserves and private reserves in Africa that need help paying for rangers and guards. .
While the true impact of the coronavirus on African wildlife remains to be seen, the events of the past two weeks illustrate the risks of relying too much on tourism to support species conservation.
Meantime Jacobs continues his mission to save as many rhinos as possible:
“If I am called 10 times a day, I will fly 10 times a day. I will fly as long as finances allow me, ”she said.
On the Facebook page of Rhino 911 you can read the stories of many rescued rhinos and see them safe in the shelters where they are cared for. Donations to finance the project are also welcome.
Source: The New York Times
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