In one of the most beautiful, tranquil parts of KwaZulu-Natal, an area locals have long called “heaven”, game reserve owner Don Airton is preparing for a war.
The war has reached his neighbours and it’s only a matter of time before it reaches him. Airton is one of the many private reserve owners in SA spending millions a year on security as poachers turn their attention to rhinos in private hands.
While Airton says he is prepared to do what it takes to protect the rhinos in his reserve, many private rhino owners have crumbled under the increasing pressure of poaching.
SA is home to 90 percent of the world’s 22 000 remaining rhinos, of which almost half are in private hands. Airton’s concern is that the survival of the species lies in the hands of those who do not have the resources to protect them.
“There is no doubt poaching poses a serious threat to private owners,” said Airton, who chairs the Zululand Rhino Reserve.
“We have a large number of rhino, black and white, which makes us a target. We’re a big five reserve and strive to conserve everything we can. Despite the persistent problem of poaching and costs involved, we have undertaken to do everything possible to protect the rhinos.”
The reserve, in the Msunduze valley in north-western Zululand, was established in 2004. It was established by 15 land owners who removed their fences to create a 20 000ha reserve and promote the conservation of black rhino.
Neighbouring reserves stocked with rhino recently suffered poaching.
“Many private owners cannot afford the increasing security needs and are trying to sell their rhinos. They don’t want the risk. The problem now is that people don’t want to keep rhinos. They are putting our lives in danger,” Airton said.
He said spending on security, at about R250 000 a month, takes up much of the reserve’s operating budget and the cost is expected to rise. “Of course we face pressure from shareholders, but we have to convince people it’s worth having the animals here.”
In the past few months Airton said more staff had been hired at the reserve and patrols of the reserve’s perimeter had been stepped up.
Private reserve owners also have to look at new technology to counter the threat from sophisticated gangs armed with assault rifles and night vision goggles.
“We’ve been looking at the possibility of unmanned drones that can monitor the area from the sky all the time, night and day.
“This would assist us greatly, but of course these cost millions of rand a unit. Then again, it might just be necessary,” Airton said.
“Protecting the rhino takes up a great deal of time and money and every meeting we have among private owners we discuss how we can continue to afford to look after these animals.”
With an increasing number of private owners planning to give up their rhinos, the price of the animals has plummeted, making it easier for overseas syndicates to gain access to horns.
The animals sell for between R150 000 and R200 000 now. Rhino horn currently trades for about R500 000 a kilogram on the black market and is used for medicinal purposes in the Far East.
Airton said that while he had not lost any rhino to poachers, he feared that day would come.
“We cannot afford to lose any. If they can poach one, what will stop them from coming back all the time? It could be horrible for us.”
Pelham Jones of the Private Rhino Owners’ Association said poaching had become such a huge concern that farmers no longer wanted to own rhino because of the risk associated with the animals.
“Every time an animal is lost it is a massive financial loss for private owners.
“We are also seeing a fall in the price of these animals. Many are being sold at half of what they were selling for a few years ago because many individuals are desperate to get out of ownership,” Jones said.
One rhino owner in KZN who wanted to remain anonymous said he no longer had the resources to protect his animals.
“It’s a crisis. The cost of protecting rhinos runs into hundreds of thousands a month. I don’t know how long I can operate my reserve. There are a lot of owners who feel the risk is too high.
“It used to be a case where we only sold rhino for gene pool reasons, but now you’re seeing owners just getting rid of them,” he said.
Airton said that despite almost half of the world’s rhino population being in the hands of private SA reserve owners, they receive no government assistance.
However, private owners do liaise with wildlife authorities such as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife on rhino security strategies.
“There is no doubt that private owners are under threat,” said Ezemvelo rhino security strategist Jabulani Ngubane.
“We realise the importance of working with them on issues of security because they are fighting the same war that we are.
“Already in KZN this year five rhinos have been shot in private reserves. The poachers have started to focus on private reserves largely because of the increased security presence in our parks. It has become difficult for them financially and they need all the help they can get.” - Sunday Tribune