The community conservation area, Somkhanda Game Reserve, has joined a long list of reserves in South Africa to have lost a Rhino to poaching this year. This is a very sad day for both the Gumbi community and the Wildlands family.
The reserve is owned by the Gumbi community of KwaZulu-Natal and is managed with the support of Wildlands Conservation Trust. The field rangers, Rhino monitors and other staff of Somkhanda, with the assistance of Wildlands and Wildlife ACT Fund, have put in an amazing effort over the past several years to avoid such a loss.
“We have been trying by all means to combat Rhino poaching on the reserve,” said the Reserve Manager Nkosinathi Mbhele, “ but unfortunately it has not been enough against such a crime but we will keep pushing to make sure that this incident is just a once off.”
“Project Rhino KZN’s ZAP Wing has also shown incredible support, assisting us with law enforcement and aerial surveillance services following the incident,” commented Dave Gilroy, Regional Manager for Wildlands.
The adult male white Rhino was found poached with both its horns removed. The Organised Crime Unit responded to the call and has collected all available evidence for further investigation. INkosi Gumbi, the tribal leader of the community has requested that the community assist with any investigations. “I would like to see the Gumbi community coming together to work with Wildlands and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to combat this crime and prevent any future poaching” he said.
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)