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Rhino War: A General's Bold Strategy in the Kruger National Park
In 2012, retired South African general Johan Jooste was parachuted into the seemingly unwinnable war against rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park. With poaching spiralling out of control, Jooste was given the mandate to ‘go military’, to convert Kruger’s ranger corps into a paramilitary force capable of taking the fight to the poachers. Aged 60, white, and a veteran with 35 years’ military service, Jooste’s controversial appointment was immediately met with resentment and outright hostility by elements of South African National Parks, the police, and even the military with which he had served. With the media, government, conservationists, human-rights activists and the people of South Africa looking over his shoulder, Jooste had to battle opponents within and without to carry out his strategy for turning the tide on rhino poaching.
Rhino War tells how Jooste, facing an unprecedented assault on a national park and a single species, turned a force of demoralised men and women into arguably the finest anti-poaching unit on the African continent. Told through his eyes, these stories of the courage and grit of rangers who risked their lives to protect wildlife in the face of a wily and determined foe are an account of heroism, sacrifice and determination. Humbly, honestly and decisively, Jooste tells of the successes and failures of his bold strategy, and shares his vision for the future.
Rhino War tells how Jooste, facing an unprecedented assault on a national park and a single species, turned a force of demoralised men and women into arguably the finest anti-poaching unit on the African continent. Told through his eyes, these stories of the courage and grit of rangers who risked their lives to protect wildlife in the face of a wily and determined foe are an account of heroism, sacrifice and determination. Humbly, honestly and decisively, Jooste tells of the successes and failures of his bold strategy, and shares his vision for the future.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 25, 2024
It shouldn't be this hard to protect wildlife especially rhinos, yet after reading this book i've realized how hard it is. Good book on wildlife and its management. The story follows a retired military general in the South African army who gets asked to help out. At time of writing still 500 rhinos are poaches in South Africa every year so the fight is well from over.
August 21, 2022
This book is both a good primer for anyone with an interest in the rhino poaching issue as well as those who have been more immersed in the topic. One certainly comes away with admiration for Jooste, an ex-soldier who was asked to lead the charge in the war on poaching, as well as the rangers who put their lives on the line every day in defence of rhino. The poaching onslaught cannot be blamed on them and Jooste makes a credible case that things would almost certainly have been worse without his intervention. The anti-poaching campaign was explicitly and controversially militarised under his watch, with rather mixed results.
He somewhat begrudgingly acknowledges that one of the reasons why poaching in terms of sheer numbers has fallen from its peaks is related to the decline in the population. There will no doubt be considerable debate on this issue and historians decades from now, with the benefit of hindsight, may - or may not - give the general his due.
Jooste curiously does not have a lot to day about the private sector or the fact that most of South Africa's rhinos are now in private hands. The bottom line on that front is that the private sector has done a far better job of protecting its rhinos against the backdrop of South Africa's failing state. One can only have empathy for Jooste as he describes the bureaucratic bungling he often encountered.
The book is readable in an easy-going way, which is no doubt a tribute to the penmanship of its co-author Tony Park, the author of several thrillers linked to wildlife issues in Southern Africa, a few of which this reviewer has enjoyed and reviewed before.
He somewhat begrudgingly acknowledges that one of the reasons why poaching in terms of sheer numbers has fallen from its peaks is related to the decline in the population. There will no doubt be considerable debate on this issue and historians decades from now, with the benefit of hindsight, may - or may not - give the general his due.
Jooste curiously does not have a lot to day about the private sector or the fact that most of South Africa's rhinos are now in private hands. The bottom line on that front is that the private sector has done a far better job of protecting its rhinos against the backdrop of South Africa's failing state. One can only have empathy for Jooste as he describes the bureaucratic bungling he often encountered.
The book is readable in an easy-going way, which is no doubt a tribute to the penmanship of its co-author Tony Park, the author of several thrillers linked to wildlife issues in Southern Africa, a few of which this reviewer has enjoyed and reviewed before.
November 20, 2022
When seated in the car, listening to journalists spew information about rhino poaching, corruption and hear-say, it's hard to know what the truth is, or what the insider perspective truly is.
In this account, General Johan Jooste, a retired military man, tells his account. In the book he breaks down how he planned to tackle the problem of rhino poaching from a multitude of fronts. One walks away with a great admiration for his passion and for the bravery of his team who frequently faced the threat of death. A stark reminder that even in the name of saving wildlife, politics can become a hindrance or an alliance.
Sprinkled with some action packed accounts of how incidents with poachers could turn dirty, the book focuses on strategy and overcoming the obstacles at a higher level. An honest account that looks at various viewpoints, this book is a wonderful insight into the not-insignificant challenge of tackling rhino poaching.
In this account, General Johan Jooste, a retired military man, tells his account. In the book he breaks down how he planned to tackle the problem of rhino poaching from a multitude of fronts. One walks away with a great admiration for his passion and for the bravery of his team who frequently faced the threat of death. A stark reminder that even in the name of saving wildlife, politics can become a hindrance or an alliance.
Sprinkled with some action packed accounts of how incidents with poachers could turn dirty, the book focuses on strategy and overcoming the obstacles at a higher level. An honest account that looks at various viewpoints, this book is a wonderful insight into the not-insignificant challenge of tackling rhino poaching.
October 6, 2022
Book review: Rhino war by Johan Jooste, Tony Park
Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan South Africa for sending me a copy of this book. All the opinions are my own.
This is a thought provoking and factual account of the ongoing poaching war in South Africa. This is a must read for all wildlife enthusiasts. This book tells the story of Johan Jooste’s experience as an ex-military general who was asked by the South African Kruger National Park to lead the attack on poaching. He gives an eye-opening account of what it is like to deal with poaching firsthand.
Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan South Africa for sending me a copy of this book. All the opinions are my own.
This is a thought provoking and factual account of the ongoing poaching war in South Africa. This is a must read for all wildlife enthusiasts. This book tells the story of Johan Jooste’s experience as an ex-military general who was asked by the South African Kruger National Park to lead the attack on poaching. He gives an eye-opening account of what it is like to deal with poaching firsthand.
November 21, 2023
Very motivated book and very well written. Well done General. As a South Africa you can read between the lines of the uphill battles but very diplomatic. Truly enjoyed the read. Wish we could do more!
January 3, 2023
Inspiring and informative biography of the man who led the conservation revolution in South Africa to protect and save the rhinos from poaching.
While it’s so disheartening to read about all of the resistance to beneficial strategies, funding and technology from within the conservationist ranks, it’s simultaneously encouraging how Jooster and his team managed to overcome much of it.
One aspect of rhino conservation I would have really wanted to learn more about was the corruption within the SANParks ranks and to what extent and in what ways that affected conservation efforts. In this book, Jooster only briefly mentions the existence of such without going into names or specific incidents on more than one occasion. I will have to turn to other books or podcasts for this, such as the Invisible Hand by Georgina Savage & Sophie Seyd.
Recommended for those interested in conservation and better understanding poaching from the ranger’s perspective and the demands of combatting it.
While it’s so disheartening to read about all of the resistance to beneficial strategies, funding and technology from within the conservationist ranks, it’s simultaneously encouraging how Jooster and his team managed to overcome much of it.
One aspect of rhino conservation I would have really wanted to learn more about was the corruption within the SANParks ranks and to what extent and in what ways that affected conservation efforts. In this book, Jooster only briefly mentions the existence of such without going into names or specific incidents on more than one occasion. I will have to turn to other books or podcasts for this, such as the Invisible Hand by Georgina Savage & Sophie Seyd.
Recommended for those interested in conservation and better understanding poaching from the ranger’s perspective and the demands of combatting it.
January 3, 2023
Inspiring and informative biography of the man who led the conservation revolution in South Africa to protect and save the rhinos from poaching.
While it’s so disheartening to read about all of the resistance to beneficial strategies, funding and technology from within the conservationist ranks, it’s simultaneously encouraging how Jooster and his team managed to overcome much of it.
One aspect of rhino conservation I would have really wanted to learn more about was the corruption within the SANParks ranks and to what extent and in what ways that affected conservation efforts. In this book, Jooster only briefly mentions the existence of such without going into names or specific incidents on more than one occasion. I will have to turn to other books or podcasts for this, such as the Invisible Hand by Georgina Savage & Sophie Seyd.
Recommended for those interested in conservation and better understanding poaching from the ranger’s perspective and the demands of combatting it.
While it’s so disheartening to read about all of the resistance to beneficial strategies, funding and technology from within the conservationist ranks, it’s simultaneously encouraging how Jooster and his team managed to overcome much of it.
One aspect of rhino conservation I would have really wanted to learn more about was the corruption within the SANParks ranks and to what extent and in what ways that affected conservation efforts. In this book, Jooster only briefly mentions the existence of such without going into names or specific incidents on more than one occasion. I will have to turn to other books or podcasts for this, such as the Invisible Hand by Georgina Savage & Sophie Seyd.
Recommended for those interested in conservation and better understanding poaching from the ranger’s perspective and the demands of combatting it.
October 9, 2022
A great book on leadership under very difficult circumstances
Rhino War combines multiple stories into one,mostly successful, project. It demonstrates the realities of trying to solve multiple, very complex problems in parallel. While many want quick silver bullet solutions, like the drone suppliers promising the world to the Rangers for tracking poachers but the African sun quickly showed they were non-starters, the wisdom of General Jooste brought a steady, practical approach to the situation, ensuring a more effective long-term term result. The General is very clear about his errors along the way, another key sign of a true leader, particularly these days. Highly recommended.
Rhino War combines multiple stories into one,mostly successful, project. It demonstrates the realities of trying to solve multiple, very complex problems in parallel. While many want quick silver bullet solutions, like the drone suppliers promising the world to the Rangers for tracking poachers but the African sun quickly showed they were non-starters, the wisdom of General Jooste brought a steady, practical approach to the situation, ensuring a more effective long-term term result. The General is very clear about his errors along the way, another key sign of a true leader, particularly these days. Highly recommended.
February 2, 2024
Read this book if you want to know what it takes to protect the remaining rhinos. It illustrates what a big impact one person can have on an organisation.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews