Rhino Crisis Round Up: Four Rhino Killers Arrested in India & More

The good guys prevailed in this week’s battle to protect the world’s rhinos from medicinal myths about rhino horn: A rhino killing gang was busted in India, while another suspected rhino killer was arrested near South Africa’s border with Mozambique.

In both cases, the arrests were preceded by shootouts.

Rhino killers arrested

In India, four rhino killers were arrested in Kaziranga National Park.

The Times of India reports that the gang opened fire on forest guards and tried to hide in a house in the Kohara forest range.

On seeing the poachers, police and forest guards followed them and came across a house in the area. They tried to hide inside the house by taking advantage of darkness but we gheraoed the place. They then opened fire and we also retaliated, but no one was injured.

It was the second foiled rhino killing attempt in Kaziranga in a 24-hour period.

Authorities confiscated “two hand-made rifles, ammunition and some sharp weapons” from the suspects.

Rhino killer shot

According to South Africa’s East Coast Radio, a suspected rhino killer was shot dead after firing on game rangers at Ndumo Game Reserve.

The incident occurred following intelligence reports alerting officials to a Mozambican gang of five, who were in the reserve to kill a rhino.

Another gang member was arrested, and at the time of this writing, the other three are still at large.

While these dangerous skirmishes on the front lines are a critical part of battling the rhino crisis, the contributing role of South Africa’s private rhino owners (who do not necessarily represent the majority) lobbying to “legalize” trade in rhino horn cannot be overlooked.

Earlier this month, WWF stated the total of rhinos killed in South Africa had reached 341 for the year. already surpassing 2010’s total of 333.

New website launched

Australia’s Asian Rhino Project has launched a beautiful new website!

The NGO’s website is full of information about helping the three Asian rhino species and the home page features stunning photos.

Take the tour at asianrhinos.org.au to learn more about you can help greater one-horned (Indian), Javan, and Sumatran rhinos!

You can also connect with the Asian Rhino Project on their Facebook® page here.

Photo #1 Greater one-horned rhino in the forest via Shutterstock; photo #2 White rhino in the bush via Shutterstock.

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