The killing of Rhino poachers in South Africa has been increasing in recent months. The government of South Africa apparently sanctions the order for park rangers to kill poachers. Such killing of human beings in order to protect animals seems to be an activity that is promoted by some animal rights extremists but it is alarming to see that the government of South Africa, a country that has a bill of rights, is killing people believed to be Rhino poachers. This government sanctioned barbarism begs several questions: is there no better way to police this activity without killing people? Is it in fact the case that the life of a Rhino is better than a South African life so that a South African life is dispensable if that means protecting a Rhino? For a country that fought for a very long time to give dignity to human life, this action is simply reprehensible and should be condemned by all people of goodwill.
2 comments:
When aiming a firearm at a man, it is just that- aimed. Aiming at someone's head is a determined objective (as opposed as aiming to wound). Is this making an example for other poachers? Probably not since the price of the horn has risen so high. In Mexico, there are plenty who are willing to die for the benefits of drug money. In terms of the rarity of rhinos and the eco-diversity they can add to tourist parks, I almost want to say that it is OK to shoot to kill. If 200 rhinos have already been killed since the beginning of the year, even with anti-poaching laws in effect, killing may be the only viable option to send a serious message. Now if that is the case, the next step would be to determine who is the force taking charge & actually doing the shooting. Tight control of those actually killing would be necessary for this to work. Accidentally shooting a journalist, biologist, or ecotourist 1 time is 1 time too many, and is begging for disapproval. Most park rangers-whether in America or South Africa- cannot be trusted to the point that casualties will not occur; therefore, shoot to kill is most likely not a viable option. However, I understand the frustration held by most; after all, those poaching are criminals. This is a circular problem.
Rhinos are a valuable natural resource and due to the actions of local poachers their numbers have fallen drastically. The actions of poachers are incredibly detrimental to the protection of endangered wildlife but also the local community and economy. When animals are hunted legally the trophy fees from those animals go back into the local economy and conservation efforts to keep these wonderful animals around. As far as the killing of poachers goes it seems in many cases to be a necessary evil. In countries such as South Africa and Namibia animals belong to whoever owns the land that they are on, so when poachers come onto the land and shoot animals that do not belong to them they are essentially stealing from the land owner. The reality of the matter is that poachers know that what they are doing is wrong and they dont want to get caught so given the opportunity they often shoot first, when i was hunting in africa i was told that if i saw a poacher i was to shoot them on sight because if i saw them and didnt shoot first i myself would get shot. A human life is undoubtably more valuable than that of a Rhino, the real question is, is the life of a poacher who is doing something illegal more valuable than that of a park ranger who is protecting a valuable natural resource.
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