Rhino Action Network demonstrate against rhino poaching

Mluleki Mrwebi
07 November 2012

　

The Rhino Action Network Group today demonstrated outside the Parliament, in Cape Town.

A small group of activists had gathered there, in an effort to raise awareness against rhino poaching.

The Group Leader Mark Hurlin-Shelton said rhinos are part of our national heritage and killing them would lead to the animals becoming extinct.

Hurlin-Shelton says this week only, about 17 rhinos have been killed and the authorities are not doing anything about that.

The number of rhinos killed this year, stands at 528 and about 222 rhino poachers have been arrested.

Hurlin-Shelton said the Democratic Alliance's proposal calling for the rhino horn trade to be legalised, would lead to more rhino's being killed.

Hurlin-Shelton says Asia and China are the leading countries in rhino horn trading.

On Monday, Chumlong Lemtongthai, was convicted of illegally obtaining hunting permits that led to the illegal export of about 26 rhino horns.

Water and Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa on Tuesday said harsh sentences need to be imposed on rhino-poachers.

Molewa said the Department of Environmental Affairs this year implemented revised norms and standards for the marking of rhino horn, and for rhino trophy hunting.

Hurlin-Shelton further said they will be strengthening their campaign throughout the country.