life in the Anthropocene
Vol. 05
On Thursday, November 20, 2014 the "intensive protection zone" project that´s slowly been building up in the southern part of Kruger National Park saw an uptick in the urgency of relocating the illegally hunted and endangered South African Rhino to more protected areas of the vast national park when South Africa, home to 80 percent of the world's rhinos, announced the bleak reality that 1,020 rhinos had already been illegally killed so far in 2014.
Setting a sad trend of illegal poaching always exceeding the previous year's record numbers. At the end of 2013, 1,004 rhino casualties was the new low, and for 2014 that stain on humanity has already been shattered leaving us with all of December to up the killing number even further.
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400 park rangers and the military provides inadequate safe keeping
If you think that no one ever does anything to keep the African Rhino safe from greed and stupidity, think again
The problem has never been that no one is doing anything to prevent the majestic Rhino from going extinct like so many other animal species. A lot of people are doing everything they can, but the problem is that not enough of us are doing at the very least something. The problem is that we are all living in the same corrupt world, a world made up of greedy merchants, criminal gangs and superstitious people that happily waste their money and health on things that will never work. The problem at it´s root is a better then gold and drugs economy that allows drug cartels, ruthless politicians and corrupt law enforcement officers, even terrorist groups, poor people, greedy merchants and influential people to continuously sidestep the efforts that are increasingly made to preserve the Rhino from extinction.
The problem is a world made up of you and me that for far to long looked the other way instead of facing reality head on.
It is one thing if a starving family father kills an animal to feed his family. That is not only a natural and perfectly normal thing, it is also perfectly understandable if no other means to eat exists. But the poaching in Africa is not about food, it is about a giant and illegal industry that provides an enormous illegal cash flow at the expense of various African animal species.
19bn US$ per year is what wildlife crime is worth
Yes. you read that headline correct.
Facts are that the market that makes up what we call illegal "wildlife crime" is estimated to be worth US $19bn a year, making it the fourth most lucrative illegal trade. Only being surpassed by drugs, counterfeit goods and human trafficking. Wildlife crime that once might have been carried out by a frisky hunter looking for some extra meat in the fridge is now increasingly linked to organised crime, terrorism and militias.
And when faced with that plain reality, not even the 400 park rangers and the African military, already present in the Kruger national park can keep it´s animals safe all on their own.
To secure the future of the African lions, tigers, elephants and rhinos, vultures and other animals, the world needs you all to step up. To see, to talk, to do instead of looking the other way.
Early December 2014 saw the death of one of the last northern white rhinos in the world. Leaving only 5 more of this sub species to roam the world. But just like the white rhino as a species almost 100 years ago, faced and resurged from the face of extinction so it can do again - with the help of us, the very ones that once again has put it up against the face of eternal sleep.
Eulogy the northern white Rhino Angalifu
"Angalifu's death is a tremendous loss to all of us," Randy Rieches, the safari park curator, said in a statement. "Not only because he was well beloved here at the park but also because his death brings this wonderful species one step closer to extinction."
Angalifu passed away. 5 northern white rhinos remain #RIP #EndExtinction Pls share condolences. Photo: Helene Hoffman pic.twitter.com/X0sEkWNJAF
— San Diego Zoo Safari (@sdzsafaripark) December 15, 2014The European Tiger
Ever wondered about the official Swedish Tiger? Well, Once Europe had a thriving population of fierce Tigers and giant Wolves and Rhinos too, and Tigers and Rhinos could be found in the middle east and other parts of the world as well.
But as you read this, that last bastion of these majestic and precious animals are under siege. Not due to naturally changing factors, but due to human stupidity, short sightedness, greed and lack of empathy. All less flattering traits of our species that allows this world to continue to spin around caught inside of it´s own madness, no matter if we are talking about the illogical hatred for crucial species such as the wolf, or the continued use of fossil fuels and unsustainable political decisions instead of taking every turn towards a more sustainable planet. Sad aspects of a minor part of humanity that goes hand in hand with the resilience of inequality in both income, health, education, life and gender, the dumbing down of education and science, in some countries and places, making it harder in those places to talk about actual science and the real ongoing situation of all of life here on Earth.
But that vocal minority that is holding back life on Earth is also a losing minority in it´s quest to promote all those and other dying out acts of stupidity.
And for that at least we should all be grateful. Because they are dying out acts of stupidity.
There is an end to the tunnel of madness. And that better life, for all of us, is waiting on the other side of it, and for every healthy choice we take as individuals and species, this planet and all it´s various societies and individuals slowly gets a better life both today and tomorrow. People and Rhinos alike. Girls and boys. Rich and poor
And, to not ruin your day with nothing but depressing mental images. Projects like the one currently under way in Kruger National Park in South Africa is, as dire as the situation seems right now, a beacon of hope and a clear signal that at the edge of ruin, dragons do fly. And that perhaps, the long term situation for the great White rhino in South Africa might not have looked this good ever before. Well, that is of course, if we, the entire world continues to push ahead with the positive changes we are seeing. from climate change, and sustainable energy, to healthier food production and sufficient protection for our endangered wildlife. Because if we stumble and fall in our intentions and will to make the changes needed, then the Rhino, and many others, will soon be nothing more then a faded memory.
American philanthropist Howard Buffett stepped up
The "intensive protection zone" in Kruger will focus their new protective measures on aircraft and ranger teams in combination with last few years advancements in high-tech surveillance to make sure the new safety zone is kept poaching free.
The initiative is partly funded by American philanthropist Howard Buffett, a son of investor Warren Buffett who has pledged nearly $24 million to Kruger's anti-poaching efforts. The park will apply some of the same methods that is being used by the United States to monitor its border with Mexico. Including aerostats - which are large, tethered balloons equipped with infrared cameras that scan the landscape 24/7.
According to Dr. Sam Ferreira, who works as a large mammal ecologist at Kruger, the relocated Rhinos have all adapted very nicely to their new and much safer, surroundings, "It's like they're coming to a Saturday afternoon party.".
And yes, you can step it up too. If you have actual money then use it wisely. Donate to WWF or other organizations, commercial or not that do work towards making this planet a healthier and more equal place. Better yet, build a better and healthier and more equal world by your own. And if you lack a financial surplus, then Invest your minor daily spendings in buying healthier, organic and sustainably grown food. And if possible, locally grown food. And in your daily choices, make sure to skip shrimp and fish for the time being since the large scale fishing industry have a proven track record of not catering to keeping sustainable fishing quotas or practices and even being dishonest about where their fish and shrimp is being caught or grown. Not to mention, that big parts of the food industry (including the fishing industry) have a really hard time coming clean about how healthy vs unhealthy it is to even eat the products they produce.
Invest in your own health by making daily smart choices, investing in your health is also making the health of the planet better. Beyond that, if you can, invest in solar power or ground heat at home or your office, or similar relatively clean and sustainable energy and heat resources. Get rid of your fossil fuel driven car when you pick up your next car, and instead go all out on a "tesla" (or similar). Drink healthier things, such as tap water and milk, skip the sodas and bottled water, skip the liquor and beer. Surprisingly often, what is good for your own health, long and short term is also better choices for life on Earth at large
If you have time and resources and the will. Go healthy, eat healthy, train and stay active, healthy active people actually consume far less resources from our society and planet then less healthy people do. And yes, healthy people are generally speaking happier people, not just from an individual point of view, but you actually make the people in your surroundings happier and healthier too - relatively speaking to going all out unhealthy.
And so forth. Every little choice matters because, from the rhino to you. We are all living on the same tiny little marble and as such, we are all connected, not free floating islands separated from everybody else.
With that said, never feel even the slightest bit of guilt for the things you absolutely can not do. Instead, do what you can and be proud of that and enjoy your life full on. Just like with training and keeping fit, something is always better then nothing, making a change, be it for all of life, the planet, the rhino, or your own future health and body composition, it´s always about baby steps, perpetual baby steps in the right direction.
Shoutout to Frankie "the answer" Edgar
Wonderful display of martial arts this saturday (nov 22), that was a pure beauty of a fight and an awesome performance on your part. A flawless and so dominant victory it painted my face with a big smile watching it unfold, and perhaps your best fight yet in the UFC, now, go and grab that world champion title, it´s yours for the taking man.
Rhino facts
a short look at the African Rhino
500 000 African Rhinos still existed in the early twentieth century, but as of now, fewer then 29 000 Rhinos are still alive. There are actually five different Rhino species still roaming this world, and amongst them, the Java Rhino which is believed to be made up of less then 40 rhinos.
In 2006 only 10 rhinos where poached, a number that increased to 122 in 2009. And in 2011 had reached 448. That number then grew to 1004 in 2013 and has now been beaten once again even tho 2014 still isnt over.
Rhino horns are made of keratin, similar to a horse hoof, and yes, keratin is also the key component in human hair and fingernails. The Rhinoceros horn is also rich on calcium and melanin.
Some of the current Rhino species have two horns, like the black and white rhino. While others, like the great one horned rhino only have one horn.
The black rhino can actually grow a horn more then 51 inches long (130cm +), but as majestic a feat and sight as that is, i strongly prefer to see that in person, on a live and wild, freely roaming about rhino and not wined and dined on in some form of non functional prostate curing soup.
Rhinos poop a lot, so much so i am not even going to write the number here :). But if you have ever had or been around horses or cows, i am pretty sure you already imagined that an animal as big as a rhino can poop crazy much, especially so when you take in to account that the Rhino actually dont sleep much, and that they spend most of their time awake walking around doing nothing but munching on grass - well, pooping too, food and poop, just like a giant toddler in other words :).
And when the solitary rhino join up in groups it´s called a crash - and yes, i think it´s safe to say where that name came from :).
These groups are made up of a female and her own offspring. And a dominant male is needed to rule over the solitary or crash living rhinos area of land. The dominant male usually allows some less dominate males to live on his territory while females roam freely around several different territories.
Size and weight
The largest rhino species is the white rhino, which can grow to around 12 to 13 feet (3.7 to 4 meters) long and up to 6 feet (1.8 m) at it´s shoulders. The white rhino can weigh around 5,000 lbs. (2,300 kilograms). And on the other end of the scale, there is the Sumatran rhino which is the currently smallest rhino species.Sumatran rhinos grows to roughly 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to 3 m) long and up to 4.8 feet (1.5 m) high, and it weighs around 1,765 lbs. (800 kg).
Did you know however, that Europe used to have a colossus of a rhino. far bigger then todays biggest specimen, just as we had giant Wolves that where actually the size of todays big, white african rhino, and Elephants that dwarfed the African elephant, well once upon a time that was the wildlife in Europe, but they are now, all gone.
All casualties of the human race.
Writer and photography
Michael A Koontz
Rhino Photography by AP Photo, Dennis Farell
and Johan Swanepoel
To the daisy that is my sun and inspiration
Author page, Michael A Koontz
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