National Geographic: The Rhino War Page #5

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on the revival of certain species.

But the two species which

showed no revival whatsoever

were the main trophy species,

elephants and rhino,

and by the early 1980s,

it became clear once again

that major elements within the

Wildlife Department

ex-Game Department people,

that is Perez Olindo,

who was the former director

of the National Park Service,

and this has created a

tremendous enthusiasm

throughout Kenya, and we feel

that this is just in

time to revive

what is our most important

effort, and that is a major

plan to save the

rhinos in Kenya.

The problem of human beings

is everywhere.

We have found people who are

colluding with

criminal elements.

They have been prosecuted,

they have been imprisoned.

And I'm afraid that I cannot,

and I will not,

compromise with or collude

with people who are out to do

things that will

harm conservation and wildlife

in this country.

We cannot compromise with sin,

I'm afraid.

The sin is not always hard

to understand.

Within the poverty stricken

rural communities of Africa,

there is a powerful incentive

to poach

A family may be lucky to earn

$20 a month.

Each member of a

rhino poaching

gang may earn $100 or $200 per

raid a year's income.

Although the big money is made

by the middlemen, dealers,

and corrupt officials,

the pay is bountiful

by local standards.

One Kenyan who has fought

against poaching in a

very personal way

is Michael Werikhe.

Known throughout East Africa

as "the rhino man",

he has walked more than 1400

miles and raised over $60,000

on his crusade to

inform Africans of the threat to

the black rhino.

People are very hospitable,

very concerned about my welfare

not only my welfare alone,

but even that of my snake,

which is a very,

very strange thing.

Africans are very scared of snakes,

and to have people showing

so much concern

about an animal they fear so

much is a very touching thing.

Local people are just as

concerned about the wildlife

and about the environment

just like any other people.

And I think it is very important that

wildlife awareness should be

taken to the people,

for it's they who have the final say

and they are ready

to cooperate,

provided that they are given

the right information,

the right encouragement.

Even with the work of

dedicated men like Werikhe,

Kenya's war to save the wild

rhino has essentially been lost

Now, its best hope for

salvation may be the

fenced sanctuary.

Although critics view them

as glorified zoos,

they are far easier to manage

than the huge reserves.

In some cases, it is private

citizens who have taken up

the cause.

Solio Ranch, in the foothills

of Mount Kenya,

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