Poaching pandemic

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Mpho and Flenters are unusual companions. One is an orphaned rhino calf and the other a sheep with a little attitude. At a secret location in the bush, Mpho is just one of a crash of orphaned rhino calves saved from certain death by a non-profit rhino orphanage. Many of them lost their mothers to poaching and, in the wild, young rhino are completely incapable of caring for themselves. They will either fall prey to predators or eat dirt to survive. At this orphanage, the budding friendship between Mpho and Flenters is getting all the attention. Staff at the orphanage hope that, with Flenters’ help, Mpho might one day return to the wild. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟮 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Poaching has decimated our rhino population, a scourge that continues unabated despite concerted attempts by conservation groups and others to stem the tragic tide. Now, this threatened species has been given a lifeline: 2 000 semi-wild rhinos, once owned by a high-profile businessman and breeder, will be rewilded into reserves across the continent. It’s an audacious plan with significant risks, but the purchase of the world’s largest population of privately owned rhino could be a game-changer for these mammals. Can this ambitious conservation effort help secure a future for the white rhino? Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. WARNING: this story contains visuals of hunting and animals in distress. In the Cape Peninsula and Boland, poachers are targeting small wild animals, killing them for the pot or for use in traditional medicine. Carte Blanche investigates rising tensions between poachers, conservationists, and nature-loving residents in post-pandemic Cape Town as we set out with rangers. Scattered across SANParks Table Mountain National Park, we uncover these rudimentary devices, shaped into loops, that have proliferated in recent years. Small animals like mongoose, guinea fowl, Cape grysbok, and caracal come forage surprisingly close to suburban Cape Town, bringing poaching that much closer to home. We speak to various role players about this polarising and illegal practice. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟵 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Skinny van Schalkwyk is no ordinary woman… A self-declared “biker chick”, she bought her first motorbike - a pink Yamaha R6 - almost two decades ago and has never looked back. From track racing to epic adventure rides and stunts, Skinny lives for the roar of her bike’s engine and the freedom it brings. But she also has a deep love for the outdoors and, six years ago - together with her “sidekick” Chikita - started the annual “Anti-Pants, Anti-Poaching” bike rally. It’s an off-the-wall way of contributing to nature conservation. This year more than 200 trouserless bikers joined them in contributing much-needed cash to the protection of giraffe. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB