Government Stance on Rhino Poaching

Information & discussion on the Rhino Poaching Pandemic
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The ANC government cares nothing for the rhino: iLIVE

Post by Flutterby »

Johnson Dayal | 14 May, 2012 11:21

I refer to Sunday's article on Times LIVE where a poacher was shot and two arrested for killing a mother.

Rhinos are being slaughtered and the statistics speak for themselves, as from January 1 to December 31, 2011 a record of 443 rhinos were killed for their horns by poachers is up from 333 killed in 2010.

The gruesome way in which these animals have had their horn hacked off by a machete while they are still alive and wounded is shocking and outrageous. This epidemic crisis is being fuelled by the foolishness and greed or in business term demand and supply and recently the horn trade has surpassed the price of gold by weight.

The growing market for rhino has been used for traditional Chinese medicine but lately rhino horn is being marketed in the Far East as a cure for cancer and that’s what driving the up surge for poaching.

The South African government efforts and policies like the legislation of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004(Act No 10 of 2004) has failed to reduce the rhino killings.

In fact, the ANC government cares nothing for the environment or animals. One just has to look at the rest of Africa to see what is happening to the animals, if the South African government cannot support the SPCA they will not do anything about this mayhem, because it’s about culture and upbringing regarding animals.

Without the foreign conservationists and financial aid for the last 100 years to protect Africa’s animals, there would few animals left.

I believe the South African government is laid back view on the situation and also further threatens the situation. In March 2012 the South African government appeared to have back-tracked on the recent pledges to beef up the rhino security in the Kruger National Park by repairing the boundary fence which separates the park from Mozambique.

The Environmental Minister Edna Molewa said in her statement in the South African Mercury Newspapers on March 30, 2012 said a survey by the Defence and Public Works departments had concluded that “the fence will be too expensive and too difficult to maintain,” yet the same ANC party used tax payers money to fund their lavish lifestyles.

The argument in favour of trade is compelling but CITIES legislation is being driven more by political game playing than logic. Any efforts to save the rhinos now requires concerted action at the highest level to stop this global crisis of rampant rhino poaching which must be approved by all 175 members CITIES countries.

South African ministers must get it up their backsides and know that we are fighting a war and every effort must be done to save the rhino.


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Re: The ANC government cares nothing for the rhino: iLIVE

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May 17, 8:16 PM
From: http://www.scoop.it/t/what-s-happening- ... ican-rhino

Letter to President Zuma: The Good, the Bad and Downright Ugly

Dear President Zuma

Today I will start off by commending the Hawks (THE GOOD). Their seizure operation last week on Dawie Groenewald and some of his cohorts is to be commended, indeed even celebrated. We have been feeling pretty despondent about this case and that fact that it kept getting postponed. Knowing that he was free to continue his disgusting work has been a really bitter pill to swallow. However, we are now encouraged that justice for the rhino will at last prevail. Please thank the Hawks for their excellent and thorough work.

Last week we lost another seven rhino (THE BAD). Despite the fact that poachers have been arrested and/or killed, we are still not winning the war. Kruger continues to be hit daily and one has to seriously question the capabilities of some of the SanParks staff. In fact, one has to question the ethics as well. Security checks on day visitors is, in some instances, totally lacking. Army presence is scarce. An awareness drive also non-existent. It is very easy to lay the blame at the feet of Zimbabweans and Mozambicans – always the scapegoats in any issue in this country. However, one would do well to be looking closer to home. Yet more letters in the paper this past weekend commenting on how run down the camps in Kruger are. A truly sad indictment on the management in SanParks – was anyone to think about conducting a performance review on them, they would fail dismally, yet they continue to be gainfully employed.

The time is long past declaring a moratorium on all rhino hunting permits, carrying out an independent census on the number of rhino we actually have left in the wild and declaring Kruger a disaster area.

Minister Molewa has recently been talking about considering legalising the trade in rhino horn. Whenever and wherever this subject is mentioned you hear two spokesmen – John Hume and Pelham Jones. These “gentlemen” will have you believe that this is the only way to save the rhino. The attached article from The Times this weekend speaks volumes about John Hume’s “love” for the animals and his commitment to conservation (THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY). I sincerely hope that you are able to recognise the gross disregard for the animals, for conservation and in fact for anything other than filling their pockets – something that is unfortunately a social ill in this country today. Please do not be swayed by their all too frequent utterances. Far better to get input from people who have no money to make from the outcome, one way or the other.

Whilst the rhino are of grave concern due to the ongoing daily butchery, I would also draw your attention to the plight of the lions who are slipping under the radar.

Lion numbers in the wild are diminishing rapidly, due to disease and hunting. Hunters want male lions. Every time one of them is killed, there is a pride take over by another male lion who, in the way of nature, will kill off any cubs that are not his. This cycle continues each time a male lion is hunted, thus greatly reducing numbers even further – not to mention hammering the gene pool.

Now the Chinese are using our lions for bone as they have successfully brought the tiger to the brink of extinction. Once they have done the same to our rhino and lions, where will they turn? I would ask you to check the export stats and take note of how many live lions, skeletons, skulls and teeth were exported to Asian countries over the last couple of years.

This too has to stop before it is too late. One cannot take the number of captive lions into account and say our lions are safe. These lions can never be released into the wild as they have been habituated to humans by being hand reared. In turn they feed the canned hunting industry which is the biggest disgrace this country has even been party to. A disgrace that was almost stopped until the people responsible cried foul about the damage to their bank accounts.

Why is it, I have to ask, that whenever money is flashed around decency, respect and compassion fly out the window?

Daily we are beset in the news with stories of corruption, collusion and fraud. Add to that what is happening with the rhino, SanParks and the lions and we look like a country that has totally lost the plot.

Yours sincerely
Linda Park


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1st Rhino Conservation Dialogue Workshop

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By Allison Thomson in Outraged SA Citizens against Poaching (FB)

I am busy writing a full report about what happened today but to give you a brief overview of what happened I thought I would just give you some highlights of what was said today.

Mr Fundisile Mketeni (Deputy Director General of DEA) opened the workshop and gave a history of poaching in SA along with stats etc. He outlined what was being done on the ground, progress with MOU's (still unsigned), future discussions with Thailand are in the pipeline, discussions are ongoing with Mozambique. He discussed the interventions that had been instituted ie DNA program, deployment of forces, vetting of employees, sniffer dog program, enhancing security at KNP gates and RSA border line, fire arms testing program, improving communications as well as numerous other interventions at provincial level.

With regard to poaching he said that there were still challenges i.e. assisting private rhino owners with security, increasing legislative provisions (there are resource constraints being experienced), poverty, corruption and fraud, different agendas by different parties involved in the debate.

He pointed out the impact that it was having on Tourism.

The current situation is that there is no consensus on the matter of trade and that certain studies still needed to be completed and more workshops will be held as well as one on one discussions then a report will be made to the Minister with recommendations relating to key Rhino issues.

Other speakers included:

Dr Richard Emslie (IUCN)
Dr M Knight (RMG)
Dr J Okori (WWF)
Karen Trendler (Ethical considerations in rhino conservation)
Colonel Johan Jooste (HAWKS)
Mr Ken Maggs (SANParks - represented by somebody else - need to find his name)
Mr Pelham Jones (PROA/WRSA)
Dr Dave Balfour (Easter Cape Provincial Tourism Board)
Ms Adri Kitshoff (PHASA)
Dr Bandile Mkhize (represented by somebody else -sorry cannot find my report for his name)
Dr Jo Shaw (TRAFFIC)

Going quickly through the list I will give you a quick overview of each of their presentations.

Dr Richard Emslie gave a brief overview of the history of what has happened to the Rhino populations and where we stand right now. He pointed out what their role was and said that objectivity was required in evaluating the options availabe based on the pros and cons especially considering the constraints on making decisions because of the lack of available information. He said that SA had been flagged at CITES for their lack of reporting on existing stockpiles and other issues. He said he felt that the future growth of our rhino populations was in the hands of private rhinos owners as the parks were mostly full. This obviously causes concern because of the costs of security and the fact that the costs of rhinos was coming down and private rhino owners were selling rhino which has the potential to be a big threat to the survival of the rhino The primary goal would be to reduce poaching, reduce the black market and reduce demand, create and maintain an enabling environment that will lead to the continued expansion of rhino ranges and numbers. To achieve rapid population growth rates and conservation of generic diversity through appropriate biological management and to enhance law enforcement and in particular to stop more poachers before they kill rhinos.

Dr Mike Knight: RMG is an advisory organisation which gives technical and biological management advise. He gave a run down of the population distribution. The last reliable population information was gathered in 2010 and they are busy doing a white rhino population survey on private owners farms and the SADC black rhinos. Basically Dr Knight re-iterated the objectives of Dr Emslie ie. reduce poaching, reduce demand etc.

Karen Trendler: Ethics of Rhino Conservation - She said poaching is having a political, economic and psychological impact on the country. We are dealing with a highly complex situation and whatever the outcome and where ever these dialogues lead there will be consequences for the decisions that are made. There are many role players with many different agendas and that unfortunately poaching is a big business - not only for the poachers but also for many others with huge amounts of money involved. How do we conserve rhino populations? Ethics is a good way to start, to take the decision making process easier. Ethics is not about bunny hugging, animal rights or being sanctimonious - it is aboUt doing the right thing the right way for the right reason. This requires INTEGRITY, DIGNITY AND JUSTIFIABLE DECISIONS. Be informed, have the right information that enables us to make the right decisions - we stil need to be a lot more informed. Recognize the roles, rights and responsibilities and respect different organisations and their roles. We have to question if we are making the right decisions for the right reasons. Dialogue needs to be honest and respectful. Rhino Conservation does not occur in a vacuum and what we do here in SA impacts on the rest of Africa and the rest of the world. We are part of a much bigger picture and we have to consider other animals and countries. We need to participate and come up with solutions and actions and not be part of the problem.
Dr Okori (WWF) gave a very brief unbias report. Looked at the history of poaching in Africa and said that he looked at the poaching from a Doctors point of view - evaluating the patients condition. He looked at how the poaching scenario had changed over the years:

1800's - Hunter gatherers - sustainable harvesting1800's - Semi commercial utilization - caused by policy shift 1900's - Political and economic reform - adaptions2000's - Global trade initiatives - organised utilization2000's - Global market - satisfying external demands2000's - Traditional and cultural norms at stake

Question is what direction do we take now to save these Rhino?

Colonel Jooste (HAWKS) - gave a breakdown of the illegal activities i.e. illegal hunting, pseudo hunting, illegal dehorning, permit violations, smuggling of horn and horn derivatives, fraud and corruption and money laundering. He discussed the different legislative tools i.e. NEMBA, TOPS, Permit legislation, Health and Medicines Violations and Civil aviation regulations to name a few. He said that they had special teams of investigators gathering intel and where trying to centralize investigations as these crimes are inter-provincial so they needed to establish linkages between provinces and collate all evidence obtained during audit and collection phase of crime investigations.

He pointed out that special Provincial Wildlife Crime Prosecutors had been appointed and that they had been trained and taken to crime scenes so that they better understood the gravity of wildlife crimes. He then gave a brief rundown of the court cases and arrests that had been made.

Mr Pelham Jones: PROA (WRSA) - He said that they had been established in 2008 to represent the needs of private rhino owners and that they had become a branch of WRSA and their focus was to look after the needs of private rhino owners. He said the purpose of PROA was to:Lobby and support Government. To lobby for legalization of trade in rhino horn and ask for the lifting of the local moratorium on trade so that trade in stockpiles can take place. He said that they could not wait until 2016 for this to happen. He said that this was sustainable utilization and that they could collapse illegal trade by allowing legal trade and that application must be made to CITES in 2013 to legalize trade and that domestic trade could be utilized as template for international trade and that the private sector was willing to assist Government to make the submission. He said that South Africa had the MATURITY, ABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE OF STOCKPILES to have the moratorium lifted and trade (local and international) to be allowed.

Dr Dave Balfour ( ECPTB – Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Board) – he pointed out that short term decision making is wrong and that it was his opinion that SA had already reached 90% carrying capacity for White Rhino. His suggestion is that the excess white rhino should be shipped to China so that China could farm and harvest their own rhino horn and in doing so we would deflect the poaching problem away from our shores onto Chinese shores. He said that SA was unlikely to be able to supply the increasing demand and that there were large risks involved in farming rhino in SA from a conservation perspective (genetics) but also includes other factors such as loss of habitat. He suggested that user countries be approached for the sale of white rhino under a custodian basis whereby offspring be shared. He said that by doing his we could retain private sector involvement but avoid the pitfalls of local farming. We could then promote eco-tourism and hunting of rhino in a well managed way and decrease our poaching. He also suggested sales of horn from natural mortalities.

Mr Danie Venter (CEO SA Hunters Game Conservation Association) – he suggested that we down-list the white rhino from Appendix II to Appendix III and review SA’s membership of CITES and allow our own conservation authorities to strictly manage the trade in the product of high profile animals effectively and responsibly according to properly negotiated legal trade agreements with other countries. He suggest that we establish one single coordinating body with executive power from skilled to qualified experts from Government and the private sector who are already in the industry.He also suggested the implementation of an electronic database, sorting out of the DNA database and the implementation and enforcement of norms and standards.

Ezemvelo – KZN Wildlife – gave a brief presentation giving the history of poaching and discussed opening trade with natural mortalities and stockpiles. They discussed involving local communities in order to get them more involved in the preservation of the wildlife by giving them incentives and getting them more involved. They also discussed ongoing security issues etc. ( I cannot find my notes for this presentation but this is briefly what was said).

Dr Jo Shaw (TRAFFIC) – Dr Shaw started by stating that TRAFFIC remained neutral on the trade issue and spent a good deal of time going through the pros and cons of trade and raised some very important questions about what trade actually involved i.e. willing buyer, willing seller, who will sell, who will buy, what price will horn be sold at, etc etc. She pointed out that in order for any trade to be considered that CITES would not just accept a submission but they would travel to SA to inspect the situation on the ground etc. She was very impartial and gave a very interesting and informative talk about how CITES operates and the role that TRAFFIC plays in the decision making process.

Basically those were the presentations but there were Q&A’s and I did get a couple of questions in. I asked Mr Jones how is was going to be possible to stop the poaching by opening trade, how they thought they would be able to eliminate the black market by opening trade because they want to include a conservation tax into the price to help with security this will always give the black market the ability to “under-cut” their CSO prices – therefore the black market will not be eliminated and poaching will continue. I also pointed out that in every single presentation it was pointed out that SA had a massive corruption and fraud problem and despite this all these organizations were supporting trade – how could they possibly think of opening trade after having all admitted that conditions like this existed.

When Dr Balfour suggested that Rhino be sent to China so that China could farm and harvest it draw outrage from Mr Jones and another member of the audience, Mr Barry York (who said he was a farmer and supported sustainable utilization of natural resources). Mr Jones said that it would be ludicrous to send our rhino to china to be “exploited” in China. Later when I had an opportunity I commented that I had noted his outrage about sending the rhino to china to be “exploited” but didn’t see what the difference was if they were exploited in China or in SA.

I also raised the issue of the lack of Vietnamese translators and Dr Jo Shaw responded that TRAFFIC were looking into finding more translators from within SA via other means i.e. the UN, the USA etc.

I asked the question about the border problem – this went unanswered.

I will report more in the morning as I remember the rest.


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Re: Rhino Poaching

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Rhinos abandoned to their fate

June 28 2012 at 01:00pm
By Lee Rondganger

Animal rights activists are calling for a full-scale investigation into the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Durban - As poachers continue their onslaught against South Africa’s embattled rhino population, animal rights activists are calling for a full-scale investigation into the actions of Department of Environmental Affairs, who they say have failed to protect the endangered species.

On Wednesday, the National Working Group against the trade in rhino horn called for a commission of inquiry into how scores of bogus Eastern “trophy hunters” were given permission to shoot rhinos using Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) permits – issued to them by the provincial governments.

Miranda Jordan-Friedman, director of the working group, said that despite an increase in rhino poaching since 2007, hundreds of permits had been given to hunters to legally kill rhino. While these were meant for trophy hunters, hundreds of rhino horns disappeared on to the black market, she said.

“The big question that needs to be answered is who signed those permits? That is what needs to be investigated.

“Although the minister did start clamping down on the pseudo hunters in 2012, many permits had already been issued, and this is what we need to get to the bottom of,” she said.

After disappearing on to the black market, rhino horns – which sell for up to R500 000 a kilogram – end up in Asian medicinal shops where it is marketed as a cure-all remedy for various illnesses.

Earlier this year, DA environment spokesman Gareth Morgan asked colleagues in all nine provincial legislatures to ask official questions as to how many permits were issued by the various provincial governments.

Only KZN and North West released data, which showed that 21 rhino hunting permits were issued in KwaZulu-Natal in 2009, while the North West issued more than 100 hunting permits during the 2010-11 financial year.

“What they were doing was signing our rhino away to be hunted by people who had no hunting experience. This only spurred on the trade in horns. Had the department made it clear to these pseudo hunters that they were not going to award permits, it would have sent them a direct message,” Jordan-Friedman said.

This week a group calling themselves the Outraged SA Citizens Against Poaching rejected proposed measures that would legalise the sale of rhino horn, arguing it would lead to the creation of a black market.

The idea for a legal rhino horn market is supported by KZN conservation boss, Dr Bandile Mkhize, who last month proposed the creation of a global central selling organisation to stop poachers decimating the animal.

He plans to lobby the government to support the legalisation and control of the rhino horn market, and taking the campaign to Cites.

Ezemvelo is the only provincial conservation body in the country not monitored by SANParks.

He was backed up Environment Minister Edna Molewa, who said the department was in an extensive preparatory process ahead of the 16th Congress of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, expected to take place in March next year.

Allison Thomson, director of Outraged SA Citizens Against Poaching, said by opening up trade, the number of consumers would exceed the supply of rhino horn. An increase in demand would not necessarily reduce the price of rhino horn. She said: “The models put forward for trade are based on economically flawed assumptions.”

The Department of Environmental Affairs had not responded to questions by the Daily News by the deadline for publication. - Daily News


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Re: Rhino Poaching

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The more we have people calling for answers the better. The dept of EA gives lip service to the problem whilst the killing goes on completely un-abaited.


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Government Stance on Rhino Poaching

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Media Release: DEA clarifies its efforts to thwart rhino poaching
Date: 4th July 2012

3 July 2012 - The Department of Environmental Affairs would like to quash allegations by animal rights activists that criticised efforts to address on-going rhino poaching, urging them to be part of the solution instead of playing to the gallery.

South Africa has to date lost a total of 262 rhinos to illegal killings since the beginning of this year and a total of 173 individuals have been arrested in connection with rhino poaching.

Targeted provinces include Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and KwaZulu-Natal which collectively account for 100 poached rhinos. South Africa will continue all its efforts locally and internationally to address the ongoing scourge.

To this end, on the issue of permitting for trophy hunting permits, the Minister has amended the Norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros and rhinoceros horn and for the hunting of rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes to strengthen requirements relating to hunting.

The amended Norms and Standards came into effect on 10 April 2012 and include, among others that the applicant must submit the following information to the issuing authority:

(a) Proof of membership of a hunting association in the country of usual residence of the hunting client. The hunting association must be recognized by the government of the country of residence of the hunting client; or

(b) A curriculum vitae, indicating his/her hunting experience in his/her country of usual residence; or

(c) Proof of previous experience in the hunting of any African species

The above requirements enable the issuing authorities to determine whether the applicant is a bona fide hunter. In addition to the above, the issuing authority must also consider whether the country of usual residence of the hunting client, where the rhinoceros horn and the rest of the trophy will be imported to, has adequate legislation to ensure that the rhinoceros horns and the rest of the hunting trophy will be used for the purpose as indicated on the permit.

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has recommended to all Provincial Conservation Authorities, responsible for the issuance of hunting permits, to refuse all applications for white rhinoceros hunting by foreign hunters whose state of usual residence is Vietnam; until Vietnam has confirmed, in writing, that all rhino trophies exported since 2010 are still in the possession of the hunters. The CITES Management Authority in Vietnam informed the Department and the CITES Secretariat that they are undertaking this process. A list of permits endorsed at OR Tambo has been provided to Vietnam.

Since the above measures have been implemented, the number of applications for hunting has reduced and no further applications from the alleged consumer states (China, Vietnam, and Thailand) were received. Currently, all hunting applications are submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs to verify whether the applicant has hunted a rhino within the specific calendar year. According to the norms and standards a hunting client may only hunt one white rhinoceros within a specific calendar year. Based on the register kept by the Department, no further applications from alleged consumer countries have been received.

Delivering the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Budget Vote Speech, Minister Molewa informed Parliament of her plan to engage stakeholders with a view to reaching national consensus on proposals relating to international trade in CITES listed species. This includes discussions with major role-players on whether or not to approach the international community with a proposal to trade in rhino horn. The final recommendations from the stakeholder engagement process are expected in September. To give effect to her intention, the Department has appointed a Rhino Issue Manager to coordinate stakeholders' inputs through dialogues. The first workshop had taken place in Midrand on 30 May 2012 and it drew a diverse range of stakeholders consisting of conservation authorities, scientists, non-governmental organizations and private game farmers, amongst others, who contributed constructive comments for the way forward.

Although we acknowledge the need to intensify our efforts, the DEA is humbled by the sixty-first (61st) meeting of Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which commended our efforts as a country in curbing rhino poaching and the scourge of illegal trade in rhino horn. The CITES Standing Committee noted that rhino poaching and illegal trade in rhino horns is a global phenomenon which is also occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Mozambique, Nepal and Zimbabwe. South Africa's experience and intervention measures in fighting the illegal trade were well received and other member states affected by the same problem were encouraged to follow suit. CITES further appealed to alleged consumer states to further improve controls and enforcement relating to the illegal trade in rhino horns.

There are other interventions being implemented in pursuit of resolving the rhino poaching problem. They include the ongoing bilateral with consumer countries such as Peoples Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In the African continent, the Minister is holding ongoing bilateral discussions with Mozambique and have since made a pledge to tighten its security and elevate some offences to receive more severe penalties.

South Africans are urged to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs that could lead to arrests and prevention of illegal killings to 0800 205 005.

Kindly find the link on the latest update on rhino poaching statistics: http://www.environment.gov.za/?q=conten ... -july-2012


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Re: Rhino Poaching

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Government calls on all South Africans to assist in the fight against rhino poaching
21 September 2012

The Department of Environmental Affairs would like to make a renewed call for action by all South Africans against the ongoing scourge of rhino poaching, ahead of the third annual World Rhino Day on the 22 September 2012.

Spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Affairs, Albi Modise stressed that, “It is clear we need to continue working with all stakeholders and our entire South African society, if this war on rhino poaching is to be won. It is clear that this is an organised crime. And in dealing with organised criminals we need inputs and action from all South Africans in an organised manner.”

The latest statistics on rhinos poached for 2012 stand at 388, with the Kruger National Park having lost a total of 241 rhinos since the beginning of the year. Limpopo, the North-West and KwaZulu-Natal continue to be the provinces most targeted by poachers, collectively accounting for 119 of the total rhinos poached this year.

The South African government views the illegal killing of our national treasure in a very serious light and our commitment to addressing rhino poaching remains unwavering. Government continues to prioritise our fight against this crime jointly with the security cluster Ministers and their departments.

Operation Rhino still remains a standing agenda item of the National Joints Committee (Nat Joints Com), which comprises of senior members of SAPS, NPA and the South African National Defence Force. As a result of this ongoing cooperation, 203 people have been arrested in 2012 alone for rhino poaching and related activities. Of these, 176 were poachers, 10 receivers or couriers and 17 were couriers or buyers.

Numerous other identified interventions continue to be implemented in an attempt to curb rhino poaching. These interventions range from publication and implementation of the norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros horn and for the hunting of rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes to the Council of the Global Environment Facility having approved R 25m of funding aimed at strengthening our wildlife forensic capabilities. At an international level, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on the field of Biodiversity Conservation and Protection between South Africa and Vietnam is at an advanced stage.

“However the concern expressed by South Africans as well as the numerous initiatives aimed at raising awareness around the poaching of our precious resource also needs to be commended as South Africans prepare to commemorate World Rhino Day this Saturday. The public continue to make a meaningful contribution in the fight against poaching but enhanced participation is required to deal effectively with this grave situation before is too late,” said Modise.

Government would like to reiterate its call to the South African public to be an active part of the fight against rhino poaching. Any incidents of rhino poaching or tip-offs that can prevent illegal killings or lead to arrest can be reported to 0800 205 005.

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Source: DEA


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Re: Rhino Poaching

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:evil: :evil: :-(


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Re: Rhino Poaching

Post by PennyinSA »

Right so we have just had World Rhino Day followed by Heritage Day - what auspicious days for the President of our Country to say something about the dreadful scourge of rhino poaching - NADA; What a wonderful opportunity for the DEA to say something really meaningful in how they intend to use the millions that are being thrown at them from every corner of the world - NADA; What a wonderful chance for the people to voice their disapproval - some did on known Rhino pages but what does our very own John Varty publish but a letter to John Hume suggesting that he auction of his horn and that he will stand by his side at any time - I am gobsmacked - has everyone lost the plot or has the Yellow Peril silenced everyone. What next - abalone sales, lion bones who knows with JV talking like this maybe even tigers involved. Then to top it all we hear that the SANDF is at the point of collapse - I just throw my hands up in horror - CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Re: Rhino Poaching

Post by Flutterby »

Well said Penny!! \O


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