New film creates awareness about the plight of rhinos
BRYANSTON - New film creating awareness of rhino poaching to be released around rhino month in September.
A new Afrikaans film that documents the sensitive subject of rhino poaching is aimed at making people aware of this very serious issue. Not only is it a conservation issue, it is a major crime issue as well.
Bonné de Bod, resident of Bryanston, is known as a presenter on the wildlife show, 50/50. De Bod and wildlife filmmaker Susan Scott is in the process of producing the Afrikaans film STROOP, with English subtitles. STROOP is the Afrikaans word for ‘poaching’ or ‘stripping bare’.
“Our rhinos are being stripped from that which makes them the iconic species that they are, their horns,” said De Bod.
De Bod said that it became increasingly important to her to use her role on camera and in the media to bring the crisis of rhino poaching to the forefront of the public’s mind. “When I did a rhino story for 50/50 with the forensics team in Kruger National Park, I looked down at two dead rhino carcasses. This was when I realised that I needed to do more,” explained De Bod.
She added that it is important to highlight this topic now as desperate changes are needed or the rhinos will be lost. “According to government estimates, we have lost over a thousand rhinos each year for the past three years,” said De Bod. She added that rhino horn is the most valuable substance on earth and South Africa has the most rhinos in the world. Desperate changes are needed or the rhinos will be lost. “According to government estimates, we have lost over a thousand rhinos each year for the past three years,” said De Bod. She added that rhino horn is the most valuable substance on earth and South Africa has the most rhinos in the world.
De Bod said that she had many ups and downs during the production of this film. She said the fact that many rhinos are left as orphans breaks her heart. “I was privileged to witness vets in action all over the country, going on patrol with rangers in hot-zones and watching our prosecutors battle to put poachers behind bars,” said De Bod.
She said that every South African should watch this film as it is a part of their heritage. “STROOP is not just another rhino documentary. It is a film that reveals all about the rhino crisis, an in-depth look into the world of Rhino poaching,” concluded De Bod.
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