SANParks welcomes Vietnamese celebrities

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SANParks Acting Head of Communications Reynold Thakhuli said the visit is facilitated by SANParks Honorary Rangers in partnership with the Rhinose Foundation.

The visit will contribute to efforts towards the reduction in demand for rhino horn by debunking myths relating to the perceived medicinal value of rhino horn, and by exposing leading personalities to the harsh realities of rhino poaching.

The Department of Environmental Affairs said on Thursday, 11 september, that the number of rhinos poached for their horns since January 2014 had increased to 769, with 227 people having been arrested countrywide.

The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa, having lost 489 rhino so far this year. A total of 103 rhino have been poached in Limpopo, 65 in KwaZulu-Natal, 47 in North West and 43 in Limpopo.

Thakhuli said education and influence are important to consumer markets, but in many instances have failed because of the myths being perpetuated by those who intend to make easy money from the illegal trade in rhino horn.

"We want these celebrities to have a first-hand experience of the cruelty that these African giants are subjected to, and to use their influence to discourage the demand in their home country," he said.

Vietnam is one of the main countries at the centre of the illicit trade in rhino horn, where it has been used for many centuries in the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a cure for various 'fevers.'

Very recently, to a far greater and more damaging extent, it has been perceived as a cure for cancer, as well as a sought after status symbol and health tonic among the more wealthy sectors of the Vietnamese population.

"It is therefore our hope that these Vietnamese celebrities will use their influence in the mainstream and social media to assist in bringing awareness and in educating their fellow citizens on the damage that rhino poaching does in South Africa," Thakhuli said.

Thakhuli said the visit is in support of a diplomatic drive to consumer countries led by the South African Government to highlight South Africa's concerns regarding rhino poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn, which is mainly fuelled by demand from their citizens.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments was signed in December 2012, which inter alia promotes exchanges between the two countries.

"It is our belief therefore that this visit, the second one by a group of leading Vietnamese personalities, is continuing the process of building the bonds of friendship through co-operation and mutual respect not only from governments, but also civil society in Vietnam, and we thank them for choosing to assist us in the fight against the scourge of rhino poaching," Thakhuli said.

The group, which is made up of musicians, top business people and media personnel, will spend time in the Kruger National Park.