After years of some of the worst poaching across Africa in years, news today gives hope to those who care about some of the world's most endangered species.
http://ens-newswire.com/...
DAR es SALAAM, Tanzania, April 14, 2014 (ENS) – On a visit to Tanzania, Howard G. Buffett, the elder son of American investor and philanthropist Warren Edward Buffett, Thursday pledged to provide a helicopter for surveillance of poachers in the Selous Game Reserve.
Through the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, a private foundation in the United States that he heads, the American billionaire also will support capacity building and anti-poaching efforts in Tanzania through purchase of vehicles, GPS equipment and the training of helicopter pilots and game rangers.
During a time when many of the game reserves cannot even afford to pay its employees, this largess will profoundly impact the reality on the ground.
The unprecedented US$23.7 million (RAND 255 million), three-year initiative will combat rhino poaching in Kruger National Park and test anti-poaching tactics that can be applied in other regions of Africa, where poaching can be a source of funding for armed groups.
Many have heard about the unprecedented elephant poaching over the past few years. A powerful, grisly piece by Nat'l Geo from 2012 revealed the numbers (warning: Graphic graphics). This effort is sure to help not just with the rhino populations but with all endangered species in the region.
As someone who has spent much time in similarly attacked forests in Asia, it is most uplifting to learn that some of these imperiled species will be getting a much needed boost. Fortunately for my beloved orangutans, their salvation can be brought about through much less expensive efforts. All we need to do to help is refuse to fund unsustainable conflict palm oil with our dollars.
Reversing the species loss due to climate change will take a much larger effort, but stories like this one can give us some much-needed hope.