THE rhino statistics for 2014 are already alarming as five rhino carcasses were found on a private game reserve near Magudu near Pongola on Thursday.
It is the same reserve where HJ Greef dehorned 33 and moved 54 rhino to Wintershoek near Kimberly late last year after a dispute with co-owners.
This discovery brings the total killed this year to eight (seven white and one black rhino) since 1 January.
The official figure for KZN last year was 76 white and nine black rhinos of which 71 were in Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves and 14 on private reserves.
The public is urged to report any suspicious poaching related activities on the Endangered Wildlife Trust Rhino Hotline number 0800 205005.
Rhino poaching is expected to pick up in KZN this year as the fight heats up in the Kruger National Park and the poachers move to perceived ‘softer’ targets.
One of the initiatives to counteract the expected upsurge of poaching is the establishment of the ZAPWing operations centre in Hluhluwe.
The ops room is nearly functional, but there are a few items still needed and any potential sponsors are invited to contact the operations Controller, Lawrence Munro on 084 5606937.
Operational items include spotlights on a rail, ground to air radio base unit, airband radios, aerial, inverter system 12V with batteries and charger.
For the ops room, items needed include an awning for front door, extractor fan, 10 metres of square conduit, four office chairs, 11 metres of counter tops, online OB system (computer software), two telephones, flat screen TV and an electric main gate motor and intercom.
For the lounge area a room divider for the kitchen area, table and lockers are required.
