Rhino Patrol ?

[OOOOMS]

Nico Pienaar, (chairman of the Nissan4x4 Club) Henniej2 and myself had a little discussion on Saturday, regarding the whole rhino, disaster that we are currently experiencing in our country.

All agreed that throwing money at the Parks Board, is no longer an option, however......you and I with your 4x4 have access to area's many 'others' can not get to! That is probably why we have 4x4's?

There are plenty of farmers out there / parks etc. where we would be able to get a few vehicles together and offer our assistance by either.

1) driving a night patrol
2) making ourselves visible
3) assisting, by eg. fence repair or wherever is required

It must be "free and fun" outing at the same time :!:

For more info, if you are not aware, you can read here:
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=13005&hilit=rhino+poaching" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Who would be interested?

[AM Racing]

Sounds like a plan except I'm this side of the world. Just a question though, what happens when you come across heavily armed poachers?

[OOOOMS]

Sounds like a plan except I'm this side of the world. Just a question though, what happens when you come across heavily armed poachers?

Yeh Dylan, you bet they will be heavily armed, which I am sure they will be!!!

Don't have the answer to your question, this is currently a thought!

[Mud Dog]

The idea of being of assistance appeals to me as well, and there are game farms in this area ... not necessarily with rhino, but other game which might be under threat from poachers. More of a problem in this area are the stock theft syndicates that target mainly sheep farms.

Even if we could get a group together, I'm not sure that we would be welcomed without being able to assure the land owner of our intentions, and that we are not going to be a part of the problem. Safety would be a further issue and radio comms between vehicles as well as with the land owner / authorities / police would be vital. Small groups would be vulnerable.

It's not impossible, but there are hurdles to overcome before even getting started.

[kfxnando]

The idea of being of assistance appeals to me as well, and there are game farms in this area ... not necessarily with rhino, but other game which might be under threat from poachers. More of a problem in this area are the stock theft syndicates that target mainly sheep farms.

Even if we could get a group together, I'm not sure that we would be welcomed without being able to assure the land owner of our intentions, and that we are not going to be a part of the problem. Safety would be a further issue and radio comms between vehicles as well as with the land owner / authorities / police would be vital. Small groups would be vulnerable.

It's not impossible, but there are hurdles to overcome before even getting started.

Andy has put in words what my thought are!! me not very good at putting thoughts to paper!!

from past experience

I'm not sure that we would be welcomed without being able to assure the land owner of our intentions, and that we are not going to be a part of the problem

from hunting to 4x4ing to quadding, the land owners response is sometimes not so good!! :evil:

am however in favor of the idea and think its a great idea!!

[OOOOMS]

Thanks for the response so far, that is what I was looking for!

As mentioned it may be a shot in the dark, but at least it is a start.

The main idea is for some to get out, become visible, doing something good for the community and at the same time enjoy the outdoors

[GeorgeJvR]

I like the idea!
Lost about 5 sheep in the past two years and close to 10 on the nextdoor property.
Mostly over x mas and easter week end.

but not a lot of place to drive as it's in total 20ha.

[Mud Dog]

A very similar idea had crossed my mind about 2 years ago. (It was directed more at stock control amongst farmers, which is why I mentioned that aspect of it.) I had started with an action plan and an outline .... IIRC it was saved in a 'Word-Pro' document format .... must look for it and convert it to pdf, then I can post it here. There might be some pointers that can be used ... I still intend to get something going down this way ... it just dropped down on my priority list after my Lux was stolen last year.

[Mud Dog]

Found it .... cannot convert to pdf but it's not a lengthy document so I'll just copy / paste it here. Remember this was a draft to capture my thoughts at the time ... not a final product ..................



4x4 OPS
(4x4 Off-road Patrolling Services)


Mission

• To provide day or night fence patrols and area patrols to land owners / farmers / game parks to prevent poaching and stock theft by way of presence and vehicle patrolling.
• To report any bad fence conditions or suspicious / unusual activity.
• To provide off-road enthusiasts with the opportunity of day or night excursions.


Benefits
To Participants.
They get a free patrolling service.
Possible reduction in stock losses.
An additional presence on their lands which make them a less attractive target.
Report backs.
Possible vermin control.
Land owner doesn't need to leave his family unattended if he himself was doing patrols.

To volunteers.
They get free excursions.
Gain outdoor knowledge.
Gain off-road experience (new-comers).
Possible hunt invites.


Planning

• Identify willing participant venues (Participants).
• Organise willing off-road enthusiasts (Volunteers).
• Meet or communicate with prospective participants and outline the mission and benefits.
• Set up dates and times.
• Arrange briefings.


Execution

• Arrange communication with law enforcement if required.
• Volunteers to meet at predetermined RV and proceed to venue or meet at venue.
• Report to participant.
• Arrange communication medium with participant in the event of an emergency.
• Execute patrol.
• Note any incident on a log sheet with co-ordinates.
• Report to particpant when leaving (if not too late or inconvenient for participant).
• Submit / communicate report the following day if not done on departure.

If poachers / stock thieves are encountered, they are not to be engaged but observed from a safe distance and reported. If fired upon to retreat immediately.

Directives

• Any special requirements / cautions from the participant to be communicated to the volunteers at the briefing.
• Action to be taken (if any) when encountering vermin.
• Firearm policy.
• Routes to be patrolled.



Equipment

• Vehicles to be in a state of good maintenance with adequate fuel and serviceable spare wheel.
• Adequate lighting on vehicle.
• At least one hand held spotlight / search light.
• Own GPS unit
• Own recovery equipment.
• A log sheet.
• An outline or map of the farm borders and patrol route.
• Own cell phone with participant, volunteer and law enforcement numbers saved.
• Own two way radios.
• Own binoculars (or night vision if possessed and required)
• Own first aid kit.
• Licensed side arm (if permitted).
• Own foodstuff / beverages (NO alcohol permitted).



General conduct

• No alcohol.
• No raucous behaviour
• No reckless driving
• No new tracks without permission.
• No littering
• General courtesy.

[Vis]

Very good idea,friend of ours lost 1 rhino,and 4 was wounded 2 weeks ago.He was on Carte Blanche about a year ago when he lost 3 rhinos.
Elvy

[Traveler]

Very good idea. I'd like to test my .416Rigby on a man sized target..............

We cannot be everywhere, but where we can be we are extra eyes and ears. And the poachers have started targetting the Eastern Cape Rhino already.

[Mud Dog]

Other benefits for volunteers might include things like

Sharing of bush-craft knowledge
Sharing of wild life knowledge
Night navigation

And of course the elevation of the 4x4 enthusiasts in the eyes of the land owners / public.

Very good idea. I'd like to test my .416Rigby on a man sized target..............

We cannot be everywhere, but where we can be we are extra eyes and ears. And the poachers have started targetting the Eastern Cape Rhino already.

Yes, but they might be a little far afield ..... maybe once it gets going and the word gets out we could spread our wings. I envisaged this as an inter-club thing ... everyone welcome. Who knows.

[AM Racing]

I like! Maybe Mpongo Park would be interested on our side Andy?!

[Mud Dog]

I like! Maybe Mpongo Park would be interested on our side Andy?!

Fred Burchell was on my list of possibilities, but I think he sold up .... would have to do some leg work anyway. And then there's Inkonkwezi as well. They had rhino.

[OOOOMS]

Other benefits for volunteers might include things like

Sharing of bush-craft knowledge
Sharing of wild life knowledge
Night navigation

And of course the elevation of the 4x4 enthusiasts in the eyes of the land owners / public.

Very good idea. I'd like to test my .416Rigby on a man sized target..............

We cannot be everywhere, but where we can be we are extra eyes and ears. And the poachers have started targetting the Eastern Cape Rhino already.

Yes, but they might be a little far afield ..... maybe once it gets going and the word gets out we could spread our wings. I envisaged this as an inter-club thing ... everyone welcome. Who knows.

100% correct Andy, that is exactly what I was getting at

[Bossie1]

In order to execute this great idea in an organised manner, I suggest that you run it by the WRSA (Wildlife Ranching South Africa) office. Since many rhino are on private land, WRSA will be the organisation to "sell" the idea to its members.
An important point was already mentioned - convincing the land owner that the participants will not be part of the problem!! To allow "strangers" onto your property nowadays just seems like a risk, so keep this in mind.

[Bossie1]

Sorry - contact WRSA 012 335 6994

[OOOOMS]

In order to execute this great idea in an organised manner, I suggest that you run it by the WRSA (Wildlife Ranching South Africa) office. Since many rhino are on private land, WRSA will be the organisation to "sell" the idea to its members.
An important point was already mentioned - convincing the land owner that the participants will not be part of the problem!! To allow "strangers" onto your property nowadays just seems like a risk, so keep this in mind.

Thanks, for the info

[SKRIK NIKS]

klink na n goeie idee

[Mud Dog]

If, or rather perhaps when we do this, it will be done in an organised manner, and although each area will obviously orchestrate their own activities, it would be nice to have the blessing of an umbrella body like WRSA and perhaps even the AAWDC. This is something that is bigger than individuals and individual clubs ... my vision was to get something like this going and pass it on to someone (person / persons or organisation) with more time and dedication, but to maintain an active roll.

[Donkey]

I will help where I can

[OOOOMS]

Thanks for the feedback and response so far all!

Nico and others involved in this are also watching this thread

[000MSS]

Nico Pienaar, (chairman of the Nissan4x4 Club) Henniej2 and myself had a little discussion on Saturday, regarding the whole rhino, disaster that we are currently experiencing in our country.

All agreed that throwing money at the Parks Board, is no longer an option, however......you and I with your 4x4 have access to area's many 'others' can not get to! That is probably why we have 4x4's?

There are plenty of farmers out there / parks etc. where we would be able to get a few vehicles together and offer our assistance by either.

1) driving a night patrol
2) making ourselves visible
3) assisting, by eg. fence repair or wherever is required

It must be "free and fun" outing at the same time :!:

For more info, if you are not aware, you can read here:
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=13005&hilit=rhino+poaching" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Who would be interested?

i know 2 people that are interested.

[KPC]

Yes you can count me in

[OOOOMS]

Yes you can count me in

Clint ek het geweet jou sou

[arnize2]

Sal definitief belangstel indien ons so iets kan reel. Hier is nogal 'n paar renosters in die Suid Kaap.

[Piesang]

Hier by ons is nou nie renosters nie, behalwe vir 'n paar ouens wat hul so gedra , maar dit is om die rede dat ek aangesluit het as eere natuurbewaarder by Weskaap se Natuurbewaaring. Net jammer dat hier nie veel georganiseer word nie en ons kom ook nooit bymekaar vir bespreekings nie Ek het al probeer om met die hoof van natuurbewareing in aanraking te kom, maar dit sal geduurinde werks ure moet wees en dan is ek vas.

Maar wat ek wel wil sê vir die ouens wat wel belangstel werk saam met Sanparke, sluit aan as eere/hulp bewaarder. Julle sal opleiding kry waar nodig en vir wat nodig en sal dan deur/saam of onder leiding van die parkeraad 'n goeie plan kan uitwerk, moet nie die wiel van vooraf probeer ontwerp nie, gebruik hom tot jul voordeel. Passop net vir ouens wat wil deel wees net om verniet op plekke te kan inkom en dan doen hul hul eie ding, dis nogal wat ek hier by ons sien.

[Mud Dog]

Nogal 'n idee en 'n moontlikheid, Pieter.

[Piesang]

Nogal 'n idee en 'n moontlikheid, Pieter.

Om deel van Sanparke se hulp bewaarders te word is daar 'n kursus wat gedoen moet word met werkstukke wat in gehandig moet word. Ek het so jaar terug 'n eendag kursus wat hier by ons aangebied is gaan bywoon en dit is nogal insigewind. Ek sal dit nogal aanbeveel.

Ek sien al hoe kom hier 'n nuwe groep by op die forum HILUX ERE BEWAARDERS of so iets

[SuidWes]

Naam is saam

[OOOOMS]

Naam is saam

Mooi man Jaco!

Nico and I are meeting tomorow morning at my place at 11h00, anyone wanting to join are more than welcome to attend. Pm me for address details should you want to join in

[KPC]

Ek is besigheid met rugby.

[OOOOMS]

Ek is besigheid met rugby.

Gedink jy gaan pak? Jy gaan sonder iets ry Namibia toe Clint....!

[blom]

ek's game

[OOOOMS]

ek's game

....no pun intended!

[blom]

nope !!!