VET RHINO FUND
Christelle Fourie
Marketing & Communications Director
South African Veterinary Association
NUMBER OF RHINO POACHED IN
SOUTH AFRICA
Rhinos poached
1004
668
496
448
333
13
83
2007
2008
122
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Jun-14
POACHED…
WHERE WILL IT END?
WHY?
Traditional demand for
rhino horn
• Use of rhino horn as an ingredient in medicine
began in China many years ago.
• It is generally used in combination with other
medicinal ingredients, resulting in a wide range of
conditions for which it has been traditionally
indicated:
o
o
o
o
o
To eliminate toxins (“hang-overs”)
Treat baldness
Reducing fevers
Treat cancer
Aphrodisiac
Pharmacological Effects
• Most of the studies in China, found statistically
significant pharmacological effects for rhino horn: antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, pro-coagulant,
among others.
• Two studies done outside Asia (in the UK and South
Africa) found NO PHARMACOLOGICAL effects at
all for rhino horn or other animal horns.
FOR THIS?
Rhino horn = keratin
NO bony core!
So why the sudden increase?
• Rapid economic growth in Asia
• Higher disposable income – middle class
• Increasing ill-health (higher cancer rates) – “Cured by
Rhino horn” statements from a high-ranking
Vietnamese politician & two “celebrity” medical
specialists in Vietnam & China.
• Status culture – “Ferrari Factor”
• ORGANISED CRIME!!!
Can poaching be stopped?
• International Regulations & Policing
• National Regulations & Policing
• Reducing the expected income from poaching
by causing a drop in the price of rhino horn (ProTrading) vs. TOTAL ban on trading
• Influence (to raise) the direct costs of poaching;
o
o
o
o
Increasing the probability of detection;
Increasing the probability of capture;
Increasing the probability of punishment;
Increasing the severity of punishment.
• Decrease demand (Education; Awareness;
Revulsion; Fury)
VET RHINO FUND
The increase in the number of rhinos being poached in
South Africa has a direct effect on veterinarians.
The SAVA is raising funds to assist vets where necessary.
VETS are already making a difference:
Vets are United Against
Poaching!
Veterinarians are making a difference by :
• Preventing poaching:
Dehorning rhino
Horn infusion (poisoning)
Translocation
Vets are United Against
Poaching!
• Forensics
o
o
o
o
o
Crime Scene Investigation & Management
Ballistics
Forensic pathology
Legislation – giving evidence in court
Rhino horn DNA profiling test is now available
to match a rhino horn sample to carcass material or linked
to a crime scene. Later linked to confiscated horns and then
to convicting of perpetrators
Vets are United Against
Poaching!
• Research
o ENT Surgery
o Clinical Pathology
• Clinical work:
o
o
o
o
o
Emergency Rescue
Survivors
Assisting private practitioners
Snares
Fighting
• Education; Awareness
VET RHINO FUND
• Three Vet Funds under the Vet Rhino Fund umbrella:
1. SA Veterinary Association Rhino Fund
2. SA Veterinary Foundation Rhino Fund
3. Saving the Survivor Fund
VET RHINO FUND
SA VETERINARY ASSOCIATION RHINO FUND
GOALS:
1. Country-veterinary workshops to enable veterinarians to
share knowledge/ experience regarding the best treatment
available for animals that survived poaching:
• Full day presentations:
 Forensics / crime scene
 Treatment of survivors
 Methods to prevent poaching:
 Horn infusion
 Dehorning
•
Practical sessions
Vets at a practical workshop in
Mpumalanga
Dehorning a rhino
VET RHINO FUND
Higgins months after the poaching incident
VET RHINO FUND
Higgins and Lady after receiving repeated treatments
VET RHINO FUND
SA Veterinary Association Rhino Fund goals:
2. Expenses of Rhino Response Team:
To assist the veterinarians in affording orphan rhinos
as well as rhino poaching survivors the best possible
treatment.
The fund pays the travelling and accommodation
costs when necessary.
VET RHINO FUND
SA Veterinary Association Rhino Fund goals:
3. Education of kids at schools
VET RHINO FUND
VET RHINO FUND
Frik du Preez SA Veterinary Foundation Rhino Fund
Goals:
• Assist with research on diseases that threatens the
rhinoceros
• Assist law enforcement officers to make successful
arrests using DNA technology
VET RHINO FUND
Saving the Survivor Fund goals:
Saving the Survivors:
Treatment of survivors:
Treatment takes time…
Day 29
Day 164
VET RHINO FUND
Saving the Survivor Fund Goals:
• Assist and support veterinarians
• Treat poaching survivors
 Regular visits to re-evaluate animals
• To gain knowledge by treatment and research
 Research on the head of the rhino
 Research on the anatomy of the rhino
• Rhino Support Unit
VET RHINO FUND
Rhino Support Unit:
Due to the size, location and often the extent of the injuries,
rhinos cannot be moved.
Veterinarians attend to these rhinos in the field and need an
off-road mobile support unit stocked with the necessary medical
equipment.
In order to do this we need the following items:
Double cab 4 x 4 vehicle
Trailer (off-road)
Veterinary digital radiography and ultrasound equipment
Fridge
Three-phase generator
Insurance for all of the above
Diesel
VET RHINO FUND
Saving the Survivor Fund:
VET RHINO FUND
How can YOU help?
• Raise awareness
• Support a worthy / legitimate Rhino Fund
• Donate funds to the Vet Rhino Fund