Warning: the pictures in the video below are distressing. I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried when I saw them. If we don’t help these magnificent animals, they won’t be around for much longer. We are brutalising them into extinction.
I don’t usually do grim here at The Laughing Housewife, but I saw this story on Sky News and I have to share it. I have included a short extract but I beg you to read the whole story and watch the accompanying video.
The number of rhinos killed in South Africa looks set to exceed last year’s record total.
With just three months left in 2013, the number of rhinos killed is more than 500 and appears almost certain to top 2012’s death toll of 668.
One man doing his fair share [to help] is veterinarian Dr William Fowlds who is the founder of Rhino Lifeline.
Dr Fowlds was the first vet on the scene when three rhinos were attacked by poachers 18 months ago on the Kariega Game Reserve. One was so badly mutilated, he died hours later.
But somehow Dr Fowlds’ prompt work managed to bring the other two back from the brink.
The rangers were traumatised by the sight of these animals with their horns and part of their faces ripped off by the poachers.
Seven billion humans live on this planet: are we all going to stand by while a greedy few exterminate an entire species? I don’t want to have to explain to my grandchildren that, in this information age, when a group of like-minded people with computers can put enormous pressure on individuals, huge organisations and even governments, I said nothing; I did nothing; I let others worry about it.
This is not someone else’s problem; it is ours, right now. I urge you to blog about it; tweet about it; talk about it on Facebook; start a petition; lobby your MP, Congressman, political representative.
Don’t let us lose another species because we were too busy watching cute kitties on You Tube.
The Laughing Housewife 
shared. I couldn’t click “like”.
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I quite understand. Thanks for sharing it. I have emailed my MP and Defra; I will publish their responses when I get them.
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This was very hard to watch. Who do we write to in the USA that cares?
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Write to your representatives in government. If everyone does that, it will make THEM care.
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I know but don’t they have to be THERE to care?
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Horrible. Simply horrible.
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I have been writing my senators and congressman for the past six months. It is unconscionable to allow this poaching to continue, not only for the Rhinos, but for our elephants as well. Excellent post Tilly>
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Everyone should be writing. It is appalling.
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I agree 100%
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Seriously, I wish we could have all those who can afford the travel costs take up hunting, and hunt the poachers to extinction.
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Not to mention the mentally stunted individuals who create the demand.
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You are correct. The horn is considered medicinal by ignorant people, mostly in China. Barbaric beyond belief. Poor locals do the hunting, I fear.
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It is such a crime, animal abuse, why doesn’t someone do something
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That’s why I urge people to blog about it.
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Reblogged this on benzeknees and commented:
We all have to do our part to save these beautiful animals!
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Cruel and despicable, my boss is Chinese and their culture is odd.
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Tears…
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If no one was buying animal parts there would be no poachers
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I wonder if your readers realise the Rhino is really the Unicorn?
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I didn’t know that!
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Think about it, the single horn in the middle..
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It makes perfect sense 🙂
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It does
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I don’t of course “like’ this awful problem, but I very much LIKE the concern of like minded people and desperate need to do something. Bravo Tilly… I will look at what I can do too.
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That’s great 🙂
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So as 😦
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