Poachers with Machine Guns Arrested in Way Kambas NP

By Sujoko, Head of Way Kambas RPU

Our Intelligence and Law Enforcement Unit recently obtained information that poachers were using machine guns to hunt animals in the northern part of Way Kambas National Park. Our Rhino Protection Unit (RPU) immediately collected all the information we could from local people living near the park, then traveled to the location where the poachers had last been seen. (Luckily it is the dry season and we could travel there on motorcycle – making it a much quicker trip!) 

We left our camp around 9 pm and arrived at the location around 1 am. According to our informant, the hunters usually enter the forest around 4 am. We staked out an area outside the forest, and after about two hours, we saw two people approaching – one was carrying a machine gun. We surrounded them quickly and were able to catch them by surprise, before they had a chance to react. They hadn’t seen us and weren’t anticipated that anyone could find them in the middle of the night. We had to use pepper spray to subdue the poachers; then we were able to handcuff them.

RPU members escort arrested poacher (with confiscated machine gun) to park headquarters for processing.

After questioning the poachers and getting all the information we could from them, we walked them to the Way Kambas National Park office, and handed them over to the park staff for processing. Then the poachers were taken to the police department. We hope that these poachers were operating alone, but we will continue to collect information and monitor all evidence of illegal activities in Way Kambas. It is our duty to serve as the front line for rhino conservation.

Five Hours in the River

Five Hours in the River

By Amrodi, Way Kambas Rhino Protection Unit (RPU)

One day, while patrolling in the northern section of Way Kambas National Park, we received a report of illegal logging activity.  Recently in that area of the park, there has been lots of illegal logging which also disturbs rhino habitat.  After arriving at the location, we heard a chainsaw but it was still quite far away.  We tried to follow the noise.  Slowly and carefully, our team walked to the location, crossing a river on the way.  

RPU members cross river in route to apprehend illegal logger

After three hours of walking, we arrived at the location.  We saw three people cutting trees with chainsaws.  Two of the men had heard us coming and ran away, but one of them was still cutting a tree and we were able to catch him and arrest him.  We tried to interrogate him, to ask where he came from, and to find out who is in charge of the illegal logging operations.  We collected all evidence and took a picture of him, and then wrote our report.  Although we chased the other loggers, unfortunately they disappeared.     

Illegal logging suspect arrested with chainsaw

After interrogating and collecting all information from the illegal logger, we called our base camp via walkie talkie and asked to be picked up at the check point.  It was going to take us at least four hours to walk to the check point, and it would not be easy, because we had to also bring the logger in handcuffs.  So we decided to take a shortcut, but we had to cross two rivers, Way Nibung and Way Pegadungan.  The second river was quite deep.  

Luckily, we had confiscated one small boat belonging to the suspect and several big plastic bottles that were used as gasoline containers.  Our team, with the suspect, was seven people, but the boat could only hold three.  Our head of unit and one member of the RPU accompanied the suspect across the river.  Meanwhile I and the other members decided to swim across the river.  I hate to swim across this river because there are too many mosquitos and leeches, but we had to do it.   

Each of us used one of the big plastic bottles to help us float and swim across the river.  We started across the river at 6:00 PM — almost dark.  When we started to cross, we realized the current was much higher and stronger that we had thought. We were swept down the river, and we just had to float along, using the plastic bottles, trying to survive. We were in the river for more than 5 hours before we were able to climb out and then make it to the checkpoint around midnight.  It was terrifying.   

After arriving at the checkpoint, we used the RPU boat to go to the base camp – another three hour trip – and then drove the suspect to the National Park office, where we handed him over to the police. I will never forget this experience – probably the hardest since I joined the RPU.  It’s not an easy job, but I’m proud to be a member of the Rhino Protection Unit.

A Javan Rhino Visited Our Camp Twice in One Night!

 

By Jajat Sudrajat (Leader of Ujung Kulon RPU Unit II)

Jajat Sudrajat, leader of RPU Unit II

My name is Jajat – I am the leader of Ujung Kulon’s Rhino Protection Unit II. This past year, our unit has focused on patrolling and surveying rhinos in the Ujung Kulon peninsula. Our unit is comprised of both senior and junior members. Sorhim and I are senior RPUs, each with 10 years experience, while the other two members, Yadi and Iin are still relatively junior, with around 3 years of experience. I like this combination of junior and senior members – it refreshes me and it’s really good to share each other’s experiences. Each RPU consists of four people that patrol in the forest 20 days per month. The other 10 days is allocated for reporting and resting. Each group is comprised of a unit header that is a forest guard and three members from community that are recruited through special selection and training. The RPU program is a unique collaboration, combining government officers and the local community in professionally securing and patrolling inside the national park area.    

Map of Ujung Kulon with arrow showing campsite

On 11 April 2009, we started our patrol and survey into the forest, after receiving logistics and checking all our gear, we began to walk into the forest. We started walking from the upper Cigenteur River and explored the area. As usual, we stopped and made a camp in the late afternoon and then early in the morning we started again to walk and explore the target area. Sometimes we stay quite long in one camp depending on the situation, like if we have information that poachers will come into the area. On the second day, after exploring the area we made a camp near by “Gardu Buruk”. I have no idea why they called this area “Gardu Buruk” or in English ‘bad guard post’.

 After making camp near the river, we rested and started to cook, first making tea and coffee. As usual, we began talking, about our job, our activities today, and about our families. When we were drinking coffee, we heard something, like someone walking on upstairs bamboo – harder and harder and it sounded close to us. We all stopped talking. We tried to find where the sound came from. Suddenly, we saw a Javan rhino come to us looking aggressive, and as a reflex, each of us tried to climb the nearest tree. Sorhim, Yadi and Iin climbed the same tree; I tried to climb another tree. Unfortunately, the only tree near me was an Arenga palm (“Langkap”), but I still could climb it. It was amazing to me, because the Arenga palm is usually difficult to climb. It was around 7 pm. Unfortunately, we were in such a hurry, we didn’t grab our camera before climbing the tree and couldn’t take a photo of the Javan rhino. We only can see the rhino from above, in the tree, but at least we can look at the Javan rhino directly and see its behavior. For about 20 minutes, the rhino explored our camp and stood quite long there, and then slowly left our camp. After waiting to be sure it was gone, one by one we came down from the trees.

Jajat and Sorhim explore the area

We tried to explore around our camp to try to see the rhino again. After exploring and not finding the rhino we were back to the camp. We discussed about the rhino that just visited us and tried to figure out why the rhino came to our camp. Sorhim tried to use his mobile phone to call the base camp in Taman Jaya, because sometimes we had a signal for mobile phone in “Gardu Buruk”. After trying and trying, Sorhim succeeded in using his cell phone to contact someone in the base camp. Sorhim explained that we just met with a rhino, I also gave information. Suddenly from behind our camp, the Javan rhino came again to us. Everybody tried to climb the tree again. The rhino looked a little aggressive, might it be that it did not like us staying in its area? Same as before, we could not take a photo because the camera was still in our bag, and unfortunately it was dark and Sorhim’s phone did not have a camera in it. I think if we could have used our camera, we probably would not have taken a good picture anyway because it was too dark. After around 15 minutes exploring our camp, the rhino left. Slowly, we climbed downward from the tree and made sure the rhino had gone.

Sorhim and the rest of the RPU at camp

Together we decided that tomorrow we must move from this area. We suspected this area is the Javan rhino’s home range and it must have a good source of food or a wallow there. We argued and argued. Then we rotated sleeping and standing by in case the rhino came back. Before sleeping, we had to laugh together about everyone jumping up to climb the tree. We were all still tired and nervous. This was not the first time we had met a Javan rhino on patrol – I have seen them at least five times before. But this experience of having two visits in one night was a first.

In the morning we explored the area and we saw the rhino’s fresh foot print and dung. We believe it came from the rhino that visited us last night. We collected all the related data, trying to determine why the rhino preferred to use this area. We saw that the condition of the habitat is very good with food and nearby water and river. After that we continued to walk and move on to explore the other areas in the Peninsula.

 We will always remember this experience…

 Edited by Sectionov

 

Crisis Zimbabwe Update – June 7, 2009

We translocated 22 in the end from Bubiana.

We translocated 22 in the end from Bubiana. Everyone was a relief to get out but some deserve special mention:
 
Rosemary is the 7 year old female calf of Myrtle who was poached in November 2008 along with her young calf at the time, Mint. Myrtle’s sub-adult Basil was poached in December 2008 leaving Rosemary as her only known offspring surviving in Bubiana.
 
With Rosemary was Figtree – Marula’s calf of 2005. Marula and Myrtle were best friends and always found close to each other or calf sitting the others sub-adult so it is no surprise these two were together. Marula and her current calf Cassia were also translocated.
 

Our fantastic trackers

Sinikwe’s mother Ulemule and her sub-adult calf Serina (Sinikwe’s sister) were found on a property to the west of where she normally lives. With Ulemule, Sinikwe, Jiros and Serina moved the whole Ulemule family is now relocated to Bubye.
 
We also got both our local big heavies – Dozer and Ganya. Dozer had a number of new scars indicating he had been scrapping recently with Ganya. 
 
Sadly the numbers on Rocky Glen and Boulder Creek (where monitoring is performed by the property owners) were much lower than hoped. Management there had said they had about 15 rhinos (out of 45 18 months ago) but we only found five. This is a disturbing example of what can happen when monitoring is not adequate. We found five carcasses while searching for rhinos to translocate.

Crisis Zimbabwe Update – June 5, 2009

 

A Little Can Go a Long Way

Although the challenges we face in Zimbabwe can seem overwhelming at times, our brave staff and partners remain dedicated to protecting Zimbabwe’s rhinos from poachers, and with the help they have received from donors around the world, they are succeeding. It doesn’t take much to make a difference:

• $10 feeds one young rhino orphan for a day, including skim milk powder, glucose, multivitamins, rice and cubes.
• $25 provides patrol rations — mealie meal, sugar beans, cooking oil, salt, sugar, tea and soap — for a rhino monitor for an entire month. (These basic commodities have become so difficult to find in Zimbabwe that they must be imported from South Africa.)
• $50 feeds all five calves currently under our care (three young calves and two older ones) for one day, including time and transport required to collect fresh browse for the older calves.
• $100 covers monitoring costs (staff and equipment) for a “crucial” rhino sighting. Our staff aim to find and identify each rhino in the Lowveld on a regular basis to help monitor and protect the population. “Crucial” sightings are of rhinos that have taken even more effort to find than usual, perhaps new-born calves that haven’t yet been recorded, or injured rhinos that need veterinary treatment.
  

  Although the challenges we face in Zimbabwe can seem overwhelming at times, our brave staff and partners remain dedicated to protecting Zimbabwe’s rhinos from poachers.

Crisis Zimbabwe Update: May 30, 2009

Emergency Translocation Update from Natasha Anderson: May 21 -

Transporting a rhino to safety

The translocation op is off to a good start. On day one we found the cow and calf that the poachers have been putting so much effort into chasing. We have better trackers (and a Squirrel helicopter), so we won and the two have been captured and released in safer environs.

Yesterday was even better – trackers found Jiros (Sinikwe’s brother). Once he was disturbed by the fixed wing he ran to Sinikwe, so then we knew where she was. Once Jiros was on the back of the truck, Raoul found Sinikwe again – waiting pretty much where she was when we darted Jiros. Sinikwe, disturbed by the circling fixed wing, also ran off looking for reassuring company and lead us straight to another young bull. So we moved all three.

Crisis Zimbabwe Update – May 26, 2009

Our rhino monitors were tracking a black rhino cow called Three and her 12 month old calf.

On Sunday, May 10th, our rhino monitors were tracking a black rhino cow called Three and her 12 month old calf. Quietly moving through the bush, they noticed movement about 100 yards away – two armed poachers also tracking the same cow calf pair. They immediately radioed for National Parks and anti-poaching guard support, as our rhino monitors are not armed. Once linked up with armed guards, they moved in on the spoor trail again and found the poachers had actually lost the rhinos tracks and were now scouting in circles trying to relocate them. The follow-up team split – one to follow the poachers and the other to follow the rhinos. Less than a mile away the cow and calf had laid down for their midday nap. If the poachers had not lost their spoor, they would almost certainly have been killed. The rhinos’ tracks indicated that they had quietly gotten up from their rest and browsed while moving north. The poachers had continued circling to their south. Unfortunately the anti-poaching unit never caught up with the poachers, as tracking human spoor in long dry grass is a very difficult task.
 
Two days later, the same shoe patterns as seen on Sunday were located following three rhinos – this time a cow with a large calf and a bull. The bull was with the cow to mate and so there was a lot of movement with this group and little rest time to give poachers a chance to catch up. Fortunately again, the poachers did not get close enough to shoot these rhinos, but they remained in the same area and our concern was that the poachers would definitely search for these animals again over the weekend. Extra patrols were deployed in the hope that the poachers – seeing fresh footprints of anti-poaching scouts in the area – would think better of pursuing these animals again.
 
Sinikwe, our wounded black rhino cow, is now settling down after her shooting and monitors are able to get more than a fleeting glimpse of her. She has a new companion – a young bull with no ear-notches who is a previously unrecorded rhino to us. With any luck, these two will stay together and we will capture them both for translocating. Jiros, Sinikwe’s brother, is still in the area.
 
We have also had a new addition recorded. Angeline, a 15 year old black rhino cow had a new calf last month. With the calf so small, the mother is very protective and keeping to very thick bush so the monitors were not able to get any clear photos.

//

Crisis: Zimbabwe Update March 23, 2009

Nursing Orphaned Rhino Calves Back to Health

Orphaned calves that are still nursing are given a milk powder feed with special supplements.

Rhinos in Zimbabwe are now being specifically targeted and killed by poachers for their horns, often leaving behind calves that are still nursing and cannot survive on their own. Rhino calves are also particularly vulnerable to being caught in snares set for bushmeat. Staff from the Lowveld Rhino Trust increasingly have to rescue and hand-rear these injured and orphaned calves — ensuring the calves’ survival is vital to keep Zimbabwe’s overall rhino population growing.

Orphaned calves that are still nursing are given a milk powder feed with special supplements. Getting them acclimated to drinking a bottle from humans is a process that often takes long hours of training! Our staff also treat any injuries the calves may have received. The calves reside in fenced paddocks during the day, and are kept in secure bomas at night to protect them from poachers and other animals. As soon as they have recovered from their injuries and have been weaned, the calves are released back into the wild.

The Lowveld Rhino Trust successfully raised and released two calves in late 2008, and three orphans are currently being treated — Blondie (male), born April 2008; Millie (female), born June 2008; and Sassy (female), born July 2008. All three are doing well, and will hopefully rejoin the wild population soon!

Crisis Zimbabwe: Poaching Threatens Rhinos’ Survival

Rhino Poaching Deaths Since 2000
Rhino poaching deaths nearly doubled in 2008 – and these are only the deaths we know about! And, only two months into 2009, more poaching deaths have already occurred this year than during the entire twelve months of 2006.

Known rhino poaching deaths in Zimbabwe

To help raise awareness about the dire threats facing Zimbabwe’s rhinos, IRF is launching a new communications effort. Please visit Crisis: Zimbabwe  on our website and this blog  for weekly updates from our field staff and partners in Zimbabwe. You’ll learn more about their struggles and successes working to rescue rhinos, treat injuries and orphans, and catch poachers.

Looking for Rhino Footprints in Peninsula Malaysia

My name is Maman Suherman or my friends call me Maman.  I have been a member of the Rhino Protection Unit (RPU) in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBS) since 1997.  I never in all my life thought that I could go abroad, but I had the opportunity to go to Royal Belum State Park in Peninsula Malaysia to help with a survey for Sumatran Rhino.  The survey was collaboration with several stakeholders; the RPUs from Indonesia, operated by Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI) were one of them.   The RPUs were invited to participate in the Malaysia survey because of our expertise in tracking rhinos.  There were four RPU members (including myself), and our coordinator (Arief Rubianto) and a representative of YABI participating the survey, which was conducted and managed by WWF Malaysia and the Malaysian Department of Wildlife.  The survey was to take place in Peninsular Malaysia’s Royal Belum State Park, which supposedly has a Sumatran Rhino population.  The last confirmed sightings were in 2004.   

We left Lampung on July 4th, and onto the Jakarta Airport on July 5th early in the morning. We stayed overnight at Inov’s (the IRF Indonesia Liaison) house in Bogor one night to be sure we had all our gear in order.  Before departing, we had a briefing in the YABI office and did one last check of all our equipment for the survey.  It was my first time to go to abroad.   

We arrived in Malaysia at almost midnight and went right to the big base camp.  Instead of getting to rest, we had a big meeting to talk about preparing and coordinating all the different groups working on the survey.   We were late, because some of misunderstanding with the committee in Malaysia and also because of some really bad  traffic. 

When I entered the meeting room, my name was called.  I thought it was for the attendance list, but apparently I was chosen to be the leader in group 2.  My team would be five others from different organizations such as WWF-Malaysia, Perhilitan (in Indonesia similar to the Ministry of Forestry), the official of the kingdom of Taman Negara, Sabah foundation and a local official.  At that time we were given the list of participants, the rope sheet, map, GPS equipment, implements for measurement, and liquid for keeping the rhino or tiger feces and one bag of black plastic for team survey supplies such as cooking tools.  When I open the plastic bag, the team and I all laughed because there was a huge cabbage vegetable as big as the pot.

We were scheduled to depart for the survey area at 09:00, so we did not have time to say goodbye to the majesty of  Paduka Seri Sultan Perak Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Azlan Shah, who gave us the permit for the activity.  This was a special activity – most of the participants said it was the first time for them to join a survey like this, and the first time they ever had flown in a helicopter.  Using a helicopter to move the survey teams was really expensive – almost 10 million Rupiah or around USD $1000 to rent for one hour.

The helicopter dropped us at the first point for about 6 or 7 minutes after leaving the base  camp and would return to pick us up at 11:00.  One group was already in place at the site.  At almost 12:00 we arrived at the entry point and we saw one team standing by already. Based on the schedule, our team went to north and the other team went south. 

Royal Belum State Park seemed very similar to BBS and I almost felt like I was walking in my own country in Indonesia.   Plantation, topography, river and the environment was  similar to BBS.  I could not have imagined it – and I very much enjoyed the survey.

My team survey from left to right: Saad, Edward, Maman (it’s me), Cik Wan, Boys, and Yakup

During the survey we found a sign – a plant that had been eaten by a mammal.  It sort of looked like a rhino but I was not too sure that it was rhino sign, because quite different from what my experience in Indonesia.  We also found footprints (17 cm and 10 cm) and feces.  I thought it was tapir (Tapirus indicus) sign and not rhino sign, although several people in my team believed that it was rhino sign.   I tried to explain to them the difference between a rhino footprint and a tapir footprint.  Finally, we all agreed that it was not a rhino footprint.  During the survey we also found bear sign, several deer sign, and an orangutan nest.  

We surveyed Royal Belum State Park for almost 2 weeks.  It was a good experience and we had a lot of opportunity to share information and to get to know each other.  After the survey we returned to the base camp and I saw almost all of teams (11 teams) were standing by to have a meeting to discuss the data from each team.  We got a chance to take a bath and dinner and then we joined the others for the meeting.  According to all of the information and data from all of the teams, no rhino sign was found.  Although several people still believed that the sign they found was rhino sign, after thorough discussion and a little bit debate, finally all of participants agreed that no one had seen rhino sign.  Unfortunately, this means that there probably are no rhino anymore in Royal Belum State Park. 

We did see other species, like tapir, elephant, tiger, bear, bulls (like banteng in Ujung Kulon), wild pig, several species of snake and group of deer.  We also found evidence of  some of the threats in Royal Belum State Park like illegal poaching (we found a trap), and other illegal activities.  There is a traditional people who stay around Royal Belum State Park and almost all their activity depends on the forest.  They hunt deer and wild pig.  We hope later on there will be discussions about resolving their status and saving the Park.  There is a big need for collaboration among the management authority, NGOs, and the military (I think the military is key stakeholder for protecting Royal Belum), as well as other stakeholders.  This has to be if Royal Belum State Park will be preserved and protected.

Photograph with Malaysian Army on Survey Royal Belum State Park