News South Africa

Fight against rhino poaching goes aerial

A KwaZulu-Natal businessman is championing the use of helicopters to boost the provincial conservation agency's capacity in the battle against rhino poaching, The New Age reports.

During five months and 105 sorties of trial patrol and search flights over the iMfolozi section of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's flagship Hluhluwe-iMfolozi park, the Sikorsky came across 28 illegal vehicles and confronted 10 armed people, all potential poachers. Notable was a zero incidence of rhino poaching in the helicopter's area of operations.

Virginia Airport based King Shaka Aviation CEO Vincent Christoforous is convinced that helicopters are a necessity, if rhino-slaughter is to be stopped -and he wants the provincial business community to support the initiative. "I look at the trial period as the groundwork for the helicopter project," Christoforous told The New Age. "I am looking for partners to help roll out helicopters in all KwaZulu-Natal parks and game reserves." The aerial element is seen as both a deterrent to poachers and an effective tool in chasing down those who kill rhino for their horn. "Now we need funding for another four aircraft. I see rotary-winged aircraft as being the single most significant tool in the battle against poaching," Christoforous said.

Read the full article on www.thenewage.co.za.

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