Super Moon: anything but romantic for rhino conservation

Are you getting ready to watch the super moon tonight? On Monday 14 November, the moon will be the closest to the Earth on a full moon day since 1948. And the next time we are in for this spectacular sight won’t be until 2034.

So are you staying up to enjoy some moon gazing? If so, please spare a thought for the game rangers who will also be staying up for this full moon. They will not be contemplating the beauty of the moon though. Instead they will be on full alert, keeping their eyes and ears on the ground during patrols throughout the night.

Every full moon signifies high alert for rangers and anti-poaching teams: poachers make use of the increased night-time visibility to encroach on national parks and wildlife reserves and carry out night time attacks.

Already poachers have struck this weekend, with the moon approaching full brightness. A female rhino was killed in the Kruger National Park, leaving behind a calf. The little orphan rhino arrived at Care for Wild Africa Rhino Sanctuary and is in a stable condition.

We sincerely hope she will not be joined by another casualty tonight.