KNYSNA NEWS - The plight of the rhino in South Africa has been on the lips of conservationists for many years, and during the recent Knysna Literary Festival an expert on the subject shed some light on the current situation.
Clive Walker has been involved in the conservation of rhinos for decades. In 1973 he entrenched himself in the battle when he founded the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
Later he cofounded the Rhino and Elephant Foundation as well as the African Rhino Owners' Association, and for close to 14 years he has served on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) African Rhino Specialist Group. Walker also served as a member of the SANParks Board from 2000 to 2006.
Most recently, he has taken all this experience and, together with his son Anton Walker authored a book titled Rhino Revolution – Searching For New Solutions.
During the festival, on 10 March at the Turbine Hotel, Walker shared some of his experiences with the audience.
Five extant species
He spoke about his personal journey with the misunderstood rhino throughout Africa and the world, he elaborated slightly on the five extant species of rhino still found around the world (interestingly, rhinos were once found on every continent except Australia and South America), he touched on mankind's association with the rhino, its exponentially dwindling numbers (from 65 000 black rhino in East Africa in the 1960s to about 5 000 in the 21st century), he spoke about conservation efforts over the last 50 years and how important both highly trained rangers and private owners of rhino have become.
CEO of the Game Ranger Association of Africa Andrew Campbell (left) and wildlife conservationist and author Clive Walker in discussion at the recent Knysna Literary Festival.
In top 3 illegal trades
He also mentioned that the illegal wildlife trade is the third-biggest illegal trade in the world.
Walker said the battle with rhino poaching has more to do with the socioeconomic situation in South Africa than the "terrible people in the background who have all the money".
"The worst thing is that in many cases poaching is done by SA citizens in poor communities living near a rhino population, who have no prospect of a future ahead of them. They are often regarded as the heroes of their community because they bring money back with them," he said.
Clive Walker after his book discussion having a laugh with an audience member.
Involving communities
Walker thinks this can be used to the rhino's benefit, though. "By focusing on rhino conservation and including the communities that surround these animals, both parties could benefit. It has become not only a case of the security of the rhino, but that of the community around the rhino as well," he said, adding that the future of the rhino lies in the approach of the private sector.
"The role of the private sector is critical. Although it will make a major contribution to conservation, it comes at a considerable cost as these private owners carry all the cost themselves – from running the reserve to putting up fencing, to hiring guards or rangers for their rhino. We should think about keeping rhino in smaller, controlled groups that could be better looked after," he said.
His book, Rhino Revolution, also carries examples and case studies of conservation efforts throughout Africa.
Rhino Revolution – Searching For New Solutions by Clive Walker.
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