My journey to South Africa has been incredible. But the lack of wildlife, except in preserves, reserves, and the like, is stunning. I've been told by many experts that wildlife, including monkeys, elephants, snakes, lynx and rhino (just to name a few) still face considerable challenges if they are to survive. All are being hunted at substantial rates.
During this trip to S. Africa, I went to Aquila Game Preserve and it was truly an inspiring feeling to be sharing space with elephants, rhinos, and lions. However, halfway through our tour, we learned that two months prior to our visit, poachers snuck over the fences of the preserve, tranquilized a white rhino, removed its horns and left the rhino to slowly bleed to death. I didn't believe this type of behavior still existed, but the more I ask around, the more horror stories I hear. At Aquila, they must now keep their rhinos and elephants on a 24-hr watch to prevent any future poaching attempts. It is acts such as these that make me wonder if these animals truly have a chance...
Also, while at Aquila, we went to an animal rehabilitation center. At this center there were several beautiful lions that looked perfectly healthy. We later found out that these lions were rescued from another location where lions are bred, raised, and released into "wild habitats" (large gated areas), and foreign "big game" hunters come to hunt the "wild lions".
Another terrible story is the endangered mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are incredible animals and although I have yet to see one or travel to their habitat (maybe on a future trip to Africa), they also face immediate peril. Today, people still illegally hunt gorillas for meat, trophies, and to capture and keep/sell their live infants. Not only are the gorillas in a bit of danger, but so are the people protecting them. There is one particular reserve in Rwanda that I know of which lost 11 of its rangers in 2011 to rebels.
I guess most know about these issues, but to me, I was surprised to hear that this barbaric behavior still occurs. On the bright side, there exists groups of people who are willing to dedicate their lives to protecting the endemic animals of Africa, giving hope for the future and survival of these incredible animals.
