EXTRA: Rhino poaching cabal?

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. Rampant poaching has decimated our rhino populations, so it’s understandable that any plan aimed at fighting the scourge would be welcomed. Even more so, if it delivered meaningful results like the arrest of those behind the syndicates driving the trade in rhino horn. That was the thinking behind a scheme in KZN – a poaching hotspot – that rewarded operatives for bringing down the masterminds and their foot soldiers. But our next investigation reveals how a campaign that started with good intentions was allegedly overrun by people with questionable agendas – and with terrible consequences. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Mpho and Flenters are unusual companions. One is an orphaned rhino calf and the other a sheep with a little attitude. At a secret location in the bush, Mpho is just one of a crash of orphaned rhino calves saved from certain death by a non-profit rhino orphanage. Many of them lost their mothers to poaching and, in the wild, young rhino are completely incapable of caring for themselves. They will either fall prey to predators or eat dirt to survive. At this orphanage, the budding friendship between Mpho and Flenters is getting all the attention. Staff at the orphanage hope that, with Flenters’ help, Mpho might one day return to the wild. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟮 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Poaching has decimated our rhino population, a scourge that continues unabated despite concerted attempts by conservation groups and others to stem the tragic tide. Now, this threatened species has been given a lifeline: 2 000 semi-wild rhinos, once owned by a high-profile businessman and breeder, will be rewilded into reserves across the continent. It’s an audacious plan with significant risks, but the purchase of the world’s largest population of privately owned rhino could be a game-changer for these mammals. Can this ambitious conservation effort help secure a future for the white rhino? Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟱 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. It’s a strategy that’s been in place since 2016. But in March this year, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment unveiled a revised strategy to harness our natural resources. It plans to aggressively exploit our biodiversity on a massive scale to create money and jobs. Some called it ambitious, while others sounded the alarm claiming the move to attract more international trophy hunters could make South Africa a pariah of the conservation world. Government’s plan also includes stimulating the domestic trade in ivory and rhino horn, creating health clinics and selling rhino horn to tourists from the Far East. But, if properly implemented, could the revised National Biodiversity Economy Strategy to commodify a range of wildlife and plants generate increased revenue and jobs for rural communities? Carte Blanche examines this growing controversy. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv