Holiday Greetings & Conservation News 2017
2017 has been a busy year in the multiple fights to help save our wildlife in Africa.
Stop lion canned hunting and shut down lion breeding centers.
Stop all lion trophy hunting.
Stop the Asian lion bone trade.
Stop the Asian donkey skin trade in South Africa. Stop the poisoning of lion and vultures.
Stop & shut down Traditional Healing Markets (Muthi Markets)
Stop all forms of poaching (including illegal trophy hunting, i.e. Cecil)
Our most recent plan is....
Soccer and Fishing Tournaments for Rhino Poachers
We know it may sound ridiculous to help alleged poachers, but we also must take a look at the endless supply of hungry desperate kids with no work or future. The rich and untouchable Kingpins, who do not give a damn if these kids are killed while doing their poaching bidding, recruit them. We see the half built homes in Mozambique of the young men who are no longer alive. Anti-poaching rangers have killed or arrested 500 in recent years along the borders of Mozambique and Kruger Park in South Africa. Only time will tell how the lives of the rangers will be affected by the relentless killing of these hungry young men.
Millions of donated dollars are thrown into this so-called Rhino War and nothing is happening to stop the slaughter. Now we are thinking outside the box. Soccer and fishing tournaments might be the answer. The goal is to keep the poachers on the soccer field, which might just keep them out of the bush, and alive. At the very least we have build up communications with the poachers in the three villages when before, they wanted to kill us. Additionally, there is real soccer talent is some of these players and it would be amazing publicity for a top club to take one of these kids in: Rhino poacher to pro soccer player. We are working with Matt Bracken from the Wild and Free Foundation to bring tourism, jobs, and sport to the impoverished poaching villages. 17 soccer teams turned out for our first tournament! It was amazing to see the player’s reaction to wearing new uniforms and playing with cleats for the first time.
We are working with Matt Bracken from the Wild and Free Foundation to bring tourism, jobs, and sport to the impoverished poaching villages. 17 soccer teams turned out for our first tournament! It was amazing to see the player’s reaction to wearing new uniforms and playing with cleats for the first time.
Help Us
$250 outfits a full 13-man soccer team, $20 for one player. Any old and used fishing and soccer equipment will be a huge help. Gear can be sent to us in New York. Cash donations can be made to Wild and Free Foundation based in Pittsburgh. I, myself, will purchase soccer gear in South Africa at discount rates. All donors will be listed in our newsletter. Matt and I will be heading into Mozambique on Feb 8th.
Get involved in a new exciting venture! Soon you may be able to join us at one of our Tiger Fishing or Rhino Cup soccer tournaments.
