Word for Word

14 Dec 2014

Keeping Rhinos Horny – Damien Mander, CEO and Founder of IAPF

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This program is dedicated in memory of the man who saved the White Rhino from extinction – Dr Ian Player, who died on November 30, 2014 – he was 87 years old.

By the time this hour of radio finishes, four African Elephants will have brutally murdered by high powered rifles, grenades, poisoned spears or overdoes of deadly chemicals. Their faces hacked away to maximise the length of their tusks for sale to china. There ivory will be carved into religious figurines, ornate statues, jewelry and trinkets for tourists.

Whilst such poaching is reprehensible, the money really isn’t in elephant ivory.

Damien Mander
IAPF CEO Damien Mander training rangers. PHOTGRAPHER:DAVINA JOGI

Rhino horn currently fetches US$70,000 per kilo – and as the average horn weights 3 kg – that’s one hell of a motivating factor but at the rate they are being poached, the end of the Rhino’s time on this planet is fast approaching.

In 2010, 333 Rhinos died at the hands of poachers. This year that figure is an astonishing 1020 and the year is not over yet. In South Africa alone, 165 arrests were made in 2010 – this year it has risen to 344.

A Melbourne man is at the forefront of conservation and preservation in the battle to save the rhino.

The Australian Armed Forces trained him well. We asked things of him that no man should ever be asked to do and he did it with honour and pride, for our freedom and the freedom of others. He got paid well and invested wisely.

At 29 years of age, having served 12 tours of Iraq – he retired.

War does strange things to young men. Even stranger things happen to those coming home from war without a purpose. Fortunately this 34 year old man has found his.

Today on Word For Word, meet Damien Mander, CEO and Founder of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation. Support the work of the IAPF and donate to keep Rhinos horny.