Fotoutställning: The Poaching Wars, Frank af Petersens, 24 januari – mars

The Poaching Wars, a documentary photo exhibition on the struggle to stop rhino and elephant poaching in Africa. The Poaching Wars has been shown in several countries in Europe.

Opening reception at Gallery 169, 169 West Channel Road, Santa Monica, on January 24, 5 pm – 8 pm.

Frank af Petersens is a Swedish professional photographer with a background in Africa. He has spent several years documenting the people on the frontline in the rapidly escalating poaching crisis.

”This is a very real disaster, and it’s happening right now. Wildlife rangers risk their lives every day to save the last rhinos and the rapidly shrinking elephant herds in Africa. Over 100,000 elephants have been killed by poachers in 2010 – 2012, and rangers are dying in the line of duty at the rate of one every four days” says Frank af Petersens.

Poaching of Africa’s rhinos and elephants is a multi-billion dollar industry, controlled by groups with links to terrorist organizations and global criminal networks. Rhino horn is highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine, and is worth more than gold or cocaine on the black market in Southeast Asia. In 2013, 1,004 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa, a dramatic increase from the 13 rhinos killed in 2007. Elephant ivory is smuggled from Africa to China and other countries in Southeast Asia, where it is carved into luxury gift items and sold openly. The ivory market in Bangkok, Thailand, has trebled in volume over the last few years, despite a global ban on ivory trade.”