Save the Rhino
John Varty, filmmaker and owner of Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa, wrote an open letter to Cyril Ramaphosa, now Vice President of the ANC in South Africa. John basically wants these poachers, mainly form Mozambique, be treated as invaders.
The whole issue with Rhino horn is that the horn is made of keratin, the same material as our finger nails. If keratin has medicinal value (it hasn’t), biting your nails will have the same effect. Leave these animals alone !
Please join the efforts to stop this slaughter. As we speak, nearly 800 Rhino have been killed this year alone. Goto the link below and sign the petition. Avaaz has a good record of creating awareness on political levels with encouraging results.
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Stop_Rhino_Poaching_in_South_Africa_1
Below is the actual letter that John Varty sent to the South African government:
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Dear Sir,
Having recently personally purchased for R18 million a buffalo bull, I know you are someone who cares about our wildlife and heritage. My problem is this, in September 2011, I implored the President, Jacob Zuma to treat the invasion of Mozambicans who are killing our rhino as an invasion of our country. I feel the President, like President Ian Khama of Botswana, should be at the forefront of this rhino crisis. As from my attached letter, you will see that the war is intensifying into the private game reserves. In desperation, I have written a letter to the Minister of Defense, but I have had no response. I find the ANC Government aloof and non-communicative with its citizens. Can you urge the Minister of Defense to commit troops to crush this poaching once and for all. Could you as Vice President of ANC, take this crisis into your own hands and play the role that President Ian Khama is playing. This involves appearing on TV, motivating and inspiring us who are trying to combat the poaching. We desperately need leadership! The fire that you displayed when you were leading the unions against the big mining companies during apartheid, is needed now! Please reply to jv@jvbigcats.co.za Tread Lightly on the Earth This letter is copied to the following: |
Thanks Peter for setting this up. Just wish our Government would wake up and react half as fast! (JV is a friend of mine from my days at Londolozi).
Joan. Hoedspruit. Close to the Kruger Park.