Aquila Rhino fighting for its life
Sometime during the early morning of 20 August 2011, two groups of rhino poachers attacked 3 of the herd of 6 resident rhinos, on the 7500 hectare Aquila Private Game Reserve, under 2 hours from Cape Town. We are led to believe that they gained access initially by vehicle through neighbouring farms on the N1 national road, then walked several kilometers at night through the Karoo vegetation.
Within the last year, Aquila’s anti poaching team has deterred two attempted rhino poaching attempts. In November 2010, a low flying helicopter made two passes across the reserve before being deterred. Since then we have spared no expense to protect our rhinos; with full time security, we purchased semi automatic weapons and equipped our staff with night vision, bullet proof vests, quad bikes and vehicles. We believe that our anti poaching team must have surprised the poachers, as the first rhino we found, with its front horn sawn off with a chain saw and they left having only had time to get half way through the second horn before retreating. They would not have left without the second horn, with a street value of R1m, if it was not for our anti poaching team. This rhino has lost a lot of blood but has managed to stumble over 150 metres and is fighting for his life. The loss of blood and position it was lying in while drugged could have caused massive muscle and organ damage which could be fatal. This rhino was the first rhino reintroduced to Aquila and to the Western Cape in over 250 years since shot out by hunters. What is even harder to bear is that this rhino fathered the first two rhino babies born in the Western Cape in over 250 years. The second rhino we came across was still alive and was one of the two fathered by him.
This young female was found with a dart in her shoulder area barely alive. The owner Searl Derman raced to the closest vet in Paarl and a clinic in Worcester to get the antidote and schedule 6 and 7 drugs that were needed to save her. These drugs can only be kept by licensed veterinary surgeons. We are pleased to say that as at this morning 9am, she has recovered well and is standing over her father to protect him… it is a heartbreaking sight. We believe that it is thanks to the active patrolling of our anti poaching teams that deterred the poachers from dehorning and killing her.
After finding the second rhino, we sent all rangers and security staff in game vehicles, on quad bikes and horseback to search for the one rhino that had not been accounted for. Knowing that the poachers had used drugs that would kill the rhino instead of bullets that could be heard by anti poaching teams, time was of the essence and no expense was spared… two helicopters and a light aircraft from Cape Town were brought in to search Aquila’s 7500 hectare conservancy. The rhino was spotted from the air by the owner Searl Derman, from his friend, Enzo Kuun’s helicopter of Cape Town Helicopters. On landing they discovered a blood bath and a rhino with his face literally hatched off with pangas and machetes proving that there were two active teams attacking the Aquila rhinos, one using a chain saw, the other using pangas and machetes to dehorn the rhino.
Aquila’s remaining 3 rhino and the rhino standing over her father are safe and fine. The security team has been briefed and 24 guards have been positioned at strategic points along the boundaries and on higher ground to keep guard. The owner Searl Derman would like to thank the local Touws River police station and in particular Capt Voight, as well as the dog units from Cape Town and the police helicopter unit for their rapid response and vigilant crime scene management. Special thanks are also extended to the dedicated vets Dr Walton and Dr Wium, Roland Bellstead, Doempies Trichardt, Douw Grobler , the Aquila staff and the thousands of concerned sms’s, calls, emails, Facebook posts and tweets received from all over the world.
Mr Derman took the opportunity to slander the South African Police Fire Arm Licensing department in Pretoria for their incompetence and procrastination. They have taken 9 months, many telephone calls, many motivational letters from police, Nature Conservation and Mr Derman himself to issue the Aquila licenses for semi automatic weapons that are needed to protect our anti poaching team and our rhinos. Mr Derman believes that as only some of the anti poaching team have access to firearms, if they had come face to face with the poachers, we would be burying our staff today. Rhino poaches are well equipped, heavily armed with automatic weapons, night and thermal vision equipment and well trained their “modus operandi” is normally to fly at night with thermal vision. They can spot a rhino through bushes and mist over 4 miles away, they GPS the location of the rhino and drop their poaching teams off several kilometers away to walk in and normally dart the baby first so that the mother and father stay to protect and don’t run away. These teams are ruthless and will stop at nothing to kill and maim for financial gain. Which in this case they got away with a street value of over 4 million rand in rhino horn.
Aquila is offering R100 000.00 reward for information leading to an arrest and prosecution of these poachers. Informants details will be kept confidential and we can be contacted on searl@aquilasafari.com. Anyone wanting to monitor the progress of the rhino and our just launched anti poaching campaign can follow us on our Facebook (www.facebook.com/aquilasafari) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/aquilasafaris) pages. The security teams found a hooded jersey near the point of entry which could have been lost during the poacher’s hasty retreat. We will be posting picture of this jersey on our Facebook page as well as the Aquila Website (www.aquilasafari.com) and would appreciate the support of the public in identifying suspects that would have the background or training to poach rhinos amidst anti poaching teams.
Mr Derman quoted this morning that “It literally feels like the death of a family member? What happened?” Mr Derman has won several awards and has been acclaimed for his conservation, job creation and philanthropic efforts. 19 years ago he founded one of Cape Town’s largest armed response security companies protecting the residents and companies in the CBD, Zone armed response, which was later sold to ADT. He has assured us that his anti poaching campaign will employ leading military and police Special Forces, intelligence gathering personal, hi-tech surveillance and electronic forewarned system technicians and advertising and social media company or staff to create awareness and generate controversial social media platforms as a deterrent. Concerned and qualified personal wishing to donate services or equipped, time or even apply for full time positions can send their CV’s to Searl@aquilsafari.com
To recive updates and to keep informed follow us on Facebook or Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/Aquilasafari or http://www.twitter.com/Aquilasafaris
Contact : media@aquilasafari.com
Dear friends at Aquila, It
Dear friends at Aquila,
It was only yesterday that I looked at pictures of Absa. My wife and I spent two days on the reserve in early May 2010, loved it so much that we wish to return one day. We were with the Equator3 travel group from New York. Our guide Ilena was very helpful. Sad to hear about the poaching that is going.
Best wishes from St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Dear All at Aquila Very sorry
Dear All at Aquila
Very sorry to read about and see the pictures of the poaching of your 2 beautiful rhinos last week. I would like to draw everyone's attention to the fact that not only do we have an unprecdented rhino poaching pandemic in our country at the moment but our government is issuing quotas and still legalising rhino trophy hunting. It is up to each individual person to take a stand to protect the rhinos and our earth whether you join an organisation, create awareness by speaking out in your community or support a number of conservation projects financially. Mother Theresa said: “You may think that what you do is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less without that one drop.”
Dearr all at Aquilla It is
Dearr all at Aquilla
It is with deep sadness that I read about this tragic poaching of the rhinos at Aquilla. I am so shocked at the brutality of this. My family and I have spent three wonderful visits to Aquilla, staying in the chalets on the edge of the bush, being woken up by the crunching of the bush by your beautiful and elegant giraffe. Our first visit was in December 2005. Memories of great game viewing drives with Jaques who we always requested as our game driver. He must be devastated .
My family and I send you our thoughts and support and hope that the two injured rhinos recover fully.
Warmest regards
Andrea Morris (London,Uk)
I sit with tears in my eyes
I sit with tears in my eyes looking at the pictures of this majestic animal being reduced to lying in his own blood. Words cannot express my sadness and my heart goes out to all at Aquila.
There are just no words to
There are just no words to describe the sadness one feels hearing what is happening to these beautiful innocent animals....and then comes the rage...how the monsters who are doing this still live and breathe is beyond any understanding. They do not have a right to be alive and should not have any place in this world! May they encounter the worst ending possible! What are the police and Government doing to prevent this?
Our thoughts with the team at Aquila and dear ABSA.
M&J
Baie dankie dat julle alles
Baie dankie dat julle alles wat julle kon doen gedoen het om vir Absa te red ,ek voel gebreek en woedend hy het so diep in my hart ingekriup en ek kan net dink hoe almal wat hom geken het vandag voel ek dink aan julle en bid vir vrede,maar ja hierdie wrede indringers wat ons pragtige renosters so wreed aangeval het mag hulle hul dag kry
So terribly sad about Absa
So terribly sad about Absa that passed away what an increddible brave fight for survival he had I was so hoping and praying that he will get better at least he is now where there is no more pain we all loved him and do believe that this will be the beginning of the end of this brutality we are thinking of everybody that worked and helped Absa and thank you for everything in any little way you did to help him please give special love to the little Rhino that stood by her father Absa
Such a sad ending to a sad
Such a sad ending to a sad story! RIP ABSA!
I am utterly shocked and
I am utterly shocked and saddened by all of this. Not 2 weeks ago on the morning game drive did I ask Romeo, the guide about their magnificent horns and potential poaching. Never would I have thought it was going to take 2 magnificent animals lives not a week later. I am a firm believer in Karma, and those monsters will hopefully get what they deserve. RIP Absa.
Dear All at Aquila We are
Dear All at Aquila
We are tour guides and have had a few visits to Aquila with our foreign guests,who have always enjoyed their visit to the reserve.What can one say about these ruthless monsters who have done this truly evil deed.We hope that they are caught and put into one of our most notorious prisons for life without parole.
As all might be aware this is not the first such brutal attack in the Western Cape, when will the authorities clamp down like a vice grip to stop this senseless slaughter of our animals
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time,and ABSA RIP,we saw one of your lovely babies a couple of years back!!
So very sad to hear Absa
So very sad to hear Absa didnt make it.I have so hoped he would beat the odds,stacked as they were.RIP big guy ,there's no evil in the big gamepark in the sky.
This is so very sad! I have
This is so very sad! I have cried when I read the article about the attack. It is simply unbelievable and extremely upsetting that the attack was possible in that way. One gets the feeling poachers will always be one step ahead. Sometimes it feels senseless to strive for good things and to love nature and animals, because they are destroyed by our own hands anyway. But I am adament in believing that respect and care for all living things should come from us, not this!
ABSA has struggled long and hard after this brutal and unforgivable attack - he should have not suffered any longer. This should never happen to any animal6 and I can only hope justice of any kind will find the ones responsible. Every action has consequences!
If I could, I would do anything in my power to help fight this and make a differnce.
R.I.P ABSA
From my 5 year old Gransdon
From my 5 year old Gransdon to my Daughter - His Mommy
“He can sleep in my bed, I’ll sleep on the floor mommy. No bad guys can get him then.”
If we all just adopt this little boy’s passion for our wildlife, maybe we will win in our fight for conservation, preservation and life!
I wish you all the luck in
I wish you all the luck in the world in finding these bastards and Searl please do us all a favour and dehorn these bastards when you find them (which I''m sure you will).
Just very sad.
Just very sad.
Just very sad.
Just very sad.
I was HORRIFIED to read about
I was HORRIFIED to read about this brutal attack on the poor Rhino's. Followed closely the progress on Absa and I feel so sad this morning after hearing that he is no longer with us. It seems certain humans have become wild animals who stop at nothing to make money. We can learn so many valuable lessons from the animal species - they can help us to be better human beings!!!! Thinking of everyone at Aquila today and all those who were involved in trying to save Absa. Thank you for your wonderful work and kind hearts. R.I.P ABSA
I am so sad today after
I am so sad today after hearing about Absa. My condolences to the staff and vets at Aquila. Thank you for all you tried to do to save him. I will never forget him. Rest in peace Absa!.
I am so sad about ABSA! We
I am so sad about ABSA! We need to march together and get the government to change the laws to protect these wonderful creatures and have no mercy on the guilty. World Rhino day, 22 September 2011 would be a good time. Can someone arrange it?!
May the pigs involved in
May the pigs involved in these gruesome attacks be caught and castrated like the idiots who think their .... will be bigger by taking Rhino horn! Pathetic individuals and deserve the suffering they inflict on these poor animals!
RIP ABSA - you will be
RIP ABSA - you will be missed , i hope they catch the monsters who did this and punish them !!! All my prayers to the staff at Aquila during this sad time .
I share your pain and your
I share your pain and your grief. Put a price on the heads of the poachers - that's the only justice they deserve. Steffi
Just heard the news that ASBA
Just heard the news that ASBA didnt make it through the night. Feel so gutted as I have been following this closely.
May the scum who inflicted this be hunted down. Absa's death must not be in vain.
Searl and Aquilla, this morning I weep with you at the senseless greed of mankind.
Thank you for your efforts and all the corporates who stepped up to the plate.
This has touched so many but the reality is that he is one of the many giants who have fallen this year.
May his special spirit graze peacefully in the great beyond, free of the evil greed of man.................
Siobhan
Rest in peace, ABSA. You
Rest in peace, ABSA. You fought a hard battle, and you were loved so strongly by everyone. I'm just sorry we missed seeing you in real life. xxx
We really need to focus our
We really need to focus our energy and emotions towards creating GLOBAL awareness as to the plight of the rhino. These rhinos belong to all of us, our children and their children. It should not be left to a few individuals to take their plight forward. We…us, you and me.. South African’s are the custodians of these beautiful creatures’. Whether ABSA makes it or not (and if that legs is broken things won’t be good)we need to taker this battle head on now. There will certainly be more to come. A Springbok rugby team all wearing black armbands on their opening game will go a long way in bringing World attention to the baby like cry off rhinos in pain that falls on deaf ears. COME ON SPRINGBOKS, COME ON SPONSERS, COME ON ABSA AND COME ON RHINO ABSA!! WE CAN DO THIS, THE GLASS IS RUNNING OUT. TAKE ACTION POEPLE. !!!
Dear Guys I am devastated at
Dear Guys
I am devastated at the cruelty of these evildoers and my thoughts go out to all of you but even more to the poor creature that is suffering so .You are all in my prayers and hope with all my heart that "the old man " will survive this dasterdly deed. May you find these terrible people and may the courts harden their sentences , we MUST all stand together on this matter , for all mankind is involved in this deed and we need to find resolution and discover our animal soul again ....we are utterly lost !
Regards and love
Philip Uys
Hi there Team, Have to praise
Hi there Team,
Have to praise you for the response and the awareness raised - All the best of luck, you have a nation of support behind you, keep us updated.
You're more than welcome to ask me more about the services of Wireless Wildlife available to the private sector, but with a strong focus on rhino management and stopping the senseless poaching.
Warm regards,
Kobus Geldenhuys.
Good day to Aquila game
Good day to Aquila game people, our sympathy is with you people all the time, and may the stupid idiots be caught as soon as possible, just one request, do the same to them as they did to the rhinos, this is sickening, specially what they did this time. May the people who did it for money loose all the money and belongings very shortly. No person in his right mind can do such a thing to a defenseless animal. I wish all the best for the owner and personnel at the game farm for the future.
This is just the worst of the
This is just the worst of the worst. I cried when I watched Fokus on Sunday night and still cry whenever I see these horrid photographs. What kind of person does this? Scum of the earth. They must be brought to justice so severe that every poacher out there will think twice of going out to maim and kill. Their faces should be pangad to pieces, tie them up and leave them to die the same painful death they inflict onto our precious Rhinos. Will and can this ever be stopped? We feel so helpless and angree.
I have to agree with your
I have to agree with your comment above. NO MERCY for these beings who have done this. Most definately amputation and mutilation.
The Government should now take URGENT action, to equip our Game Rangers with the necessary liscenses to protect our rino's. What on earth is wrong with the police force as well that take so damn long with everything!!!!!! Especially the liscence department.
I am most horrified as of what has happened to the rinos. My thaughts are with you all there. If we all stand together on this we will find the poachers. Come on SA lets get out there and look for these aweful poachers.
Dear Searl/ Mandi, I, on
Dear Searl/ Mandi,
I, on behalf of my Go Beyond Travels team here in India, would like to express our shock and sorrow at the unexpected turn of events at Aquila. We are truly in a state of shock to see that something like this has happened.
We wish you and the entire team strength to fight this mindless battle and come out victorious. We shall try our best to raise awareness through our web presence and hope that some good will come out of this tragedy.
In the meantime, please keep us posted about the recovery. If you would like us to run any news, updates, requests etc on our blog and facebook, do let us know.
Best wishes
Shantanu Chand
Vice President
Go Beyond Travels
Mumbai, India
Hi Paul Keep your eye onn You
Hi Paul
Keep your eye onn You Tube>> video coming tomorrow
thanks for posting
Mandi
Hi Carol thanks you so much
Hi Carol
thanks you so much for your message .. agree with your thoughts .. thanks so much for taking the time to write to us
Mandi
Hi Carol thanks you so much
Hi Carol
thanks you so much for your message .. agree with your thoughts .. thanks so much for taking the time to write to us
Mandi
Dit ibaie hartseer om te sien
Dit ibaie hartseer om te sien hoe dat 'n dier wat deur ons Hemelse Vader gemaak is vir ons om na te kyk en die natuur te geniet so deur "mense" behandel word. Graag wens ek die familie en personeel van Aquila sterkte toe in die moeilike tyd. Vir ons in die Suid-Kaap voel dit soos deel van elkeen wat hier bly. Net waar 'n mens kom is die tragedie op almal se lippe. Sterkte word u togewens.
Die Burger praat van n
Die Burger praat van n renoster wat huil van die pyn. Dit vervul mens met diep hartseer en wanhoop oor die menslike toestand dat n dier so behandel kan word. Ons hou asem op dat dit gou beter sal gaan en dat hy sal oorleef. Baie sterkte aan almal wat betrokke is.
Only one thing to do amongst
Only one thing to do amongst all the horror and emotion. Through technology and emotion at them. Make video clips, shocking , horrific ones. Post and distribute all over, you tube, twitter , Face book. Create global awareness……shocking facts. Get political pressure on all governments. Trace any DNA sold anywhere in the world back to poached rhino DNA and bang…jail. Heavy sentences!! 1) AWERNESS 2) POLITICAL PRESSURE 3)GLOBAL AGREEMENT 4) LAW ENFORCEMENT!! MONEY!!! Going to have to through lots and lots of money at this!!
Die artikel maak my
Die artikel maak my verskriklik hartseer/kwaad&ek kry trane in my oë elke keer wanneer ek die artikel lees.Kan nie glo dat mense so wreedaardig en gevoelloos teenoor diere is wat geen verweer het nie.Dis absoluut barbaars verby!Ek wil nie eers dink wat die arme diere deur gegaan het nie.Ek bid die poachers word gevang & swaar gestraf en gemartel soos hulle verdien!My gebede gaan uit na die die Aquila Reserve se span en die Derman familie-mag julle vertroosting vind in hierdie swaar tyd!Ons bid en hoop dat Absa spoedig sal herstel!
I was absolutely horrified at
I was absolutely horrified at the recent pictures in the Cape Times. Mere words cannot sufficiently convey my feelings of utter sadness and despair for my fellow man who can, without compunction, commit those unspeakably dreadful acts on a defenceless animal and all for monetary gain. It doesn't bode well for the future of the endangered rhino in South Africah and elsewhere. My thoughts are with the Derman family and all the staff at the reserve who must be utterly devastated. May you find some way to stop this and apprehend the perpetrators, who, as punishment, should be drugged, have a limb severed and left to bleed to death!!
Are thoughts are with you in
Are thoughts are with you in this terrible ordeal you and your staff are going through. Max that must be the Rhino Tony and I saw when we were riding horse in your reserve. We remember spending an amazing day there with you and your staff.
I hope that you catch those horrible horrible people who have no respect for life...human or animal. When u catch them you de-bollock them so they know what pain those Rhino went through.
Tony and Gill Hill
Port Elizabeth
Ek wil net sê my hart gaan
Ek wil net sê my hart gaan uit na julle dit is verskriklik, ek hoop hulle word gou gevang en soos die ander persoon sê doen aan hulle wat hulle aan hierdie arme onskuldige diere gedoen het "slice " hulle stukkie vir stukkie maar hulle moenie teveel bloei nie want dan gaan hulle dood te vinnge kom, hulle moet "suffer" erg.
Sterkte ons bid saam dat dit sal beter gaan al is dit 'n diere die Here het hulle geskape
Ek voel verskriklik hartseer
Ek voel verskriklik hartseer dat so iets aan 'n dier gedoen kan word.Ek bid baie hard dat julle hom sal kan help en dat sy pyn sal weggaan.Moenie moed opgee nie asseblief - ek weet julle werk hard maar baklei net nog harder om sy lewe te red.Sterkte aan almal wat probeer om sy lewe te red .
Ek hoop dat julle die vuilgoed sal kry wat dit gedoen het en mog hy wat dit gedoen het 'n stadige martelende dood sterf.
I am horrified by this!!! The
I am horrified by this!!! The rhino is one of my favourite animals. Anybody who scants nature in this manner is not worthy to exist!!! No money and no government can replace the loss that the whole world suffers due to murderous like these. Anybody whom can do this to any living being has got a bolt loose in its head. They are extremely dangerous and will not hesitate to murder anybody who crosses their path. PEOPLE LIKE THIS MUST BE SHOT ON SIGHT!!!
Ek wil net aan Searl Dermn se
Ek wil net aan Searl Dermn se een of ander tyd sal hulle gevang word. Dit was nie nodig om die ander twee so te martel nie. Seral ek het geen simpatie met die wat hulle nog gaan vang nie. Dit is tipies moord op diere. weet jy ek was skoon bewoe toe ek dit sien op die nuus. Jy doen dit mos nie aan diere nie. Hulle moet die klomp poaches so martel, gee dit net vir my en ek sal dit doen.
Sterkte Searl aan jou en jou kollegas.
Groete
Ronel Joubert
Pretoria
Hi, ek kan nie glo dat mense
Hi, ek kan nie glo dat mense dit kan doen nie., want ek is self 'n baie groot diereliefhebber. Ek staan en huil terwyl ek na die verslag op RSG luister. Ek hoop die mense word gevang en dat die nodige straf gegee sal word.
Ek bid vir almal op die plaas dat die Here julle versterk in hierdie dae.
Liefde
Trix van Rooyen
We shoud start cutting parts
We shoud start cutting parts of their bodies off when the poachers are caught. So they can feel what it feels like to these rhino.
When i saw the report on the
When i saw the report on the news I had tears in my eyes. I pray that the Rhinos will survive. I hope that those who did this get caught and i have a feeling they will get caught. We will be keeping you all in our prayers.
It is disgusting to think someone can do this to an innocent animal. They should be tortured like this or throw them to the lions. Carol
I am enraged at this and wish
I am enraged at this and wish the very worst on the poachers including amputation and mutilation.
And most of all on the filth who are buying the horns.
Why is our government not talking this on a diplomatic level? How about stopping imports from Asian countries who are involved?
These magnificent beats must be protected at all costs.
My heart goes out to Absa and the owner and staff of Acquilla.
From Canada: I visited your
From Canada: I visited your reserve this past July on the 19th.. I am shocked and saddened by this news. These great beasts were so gentle and protected of the young one in the group, however during our tour one came mere meters from my camera.. I was so impressed with the reserve and the ability to see such wonderful creatures during my stay in Cape Town. I wish the speedy recovery of your beloved Rhinos and I hope the perpetrators are caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law...
The death sentence should be
The death sentence should be brought back for poachers that are caught or shot on site. Our hearts go out to all these reserves that are being targeted by these sick, ruthless , oxygen stealing murderers. This is the one time that I pray for " DEATH of these MURDERERS" and that is not good enough.Good luck to Searle and staff of Aquila in their fight to save that poor mutalated rhino .