Rhino Relocations

[PennyinSA]

Well done Simon - this will get a lot of people talking! http://www.iol.co.za/news/exposed-sa-s- ... 92zl7VdmVo

[iNdlovu]

Now we need answers from what appears to be the not so honorable minister. I 'deemund' to see a permit on every single Rhino that has left our shores.

[Flutterby]

19 June, 2012
http://www.rhinoconservation.org/

Details continue to emerge regarding the unusually large number of rhinos that South Africa exported to China during the last few years.

One company, De Cai International (also spelled as “Decai”) stands out because, according to our earlier report, it has exported 28 out of at least 30 rhinos to China during a four-year period. Ten of the rhinos were sent to an importer listed as Wei Feng Tian, 16 to Kunming Game Reserve, and the other two to Zheng Zhou Zoo.

The other two of the 30 were exported by Thaba Manzi Nature Reserve to Thai Skin and Hide.

But who is De Cai, or Decai, International?

We were recently provided with a few interesting details about Decai International, including the company address and names of the directors.

Decai International’s registration date is November 10th, 1998, and its business activities are listed as “wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles, motor cycles and personal and household goods; hotels and restaurants”.

Decai International has a registered physical address in Gauteng Province: 53 Featherdale Estate, Bonaero Park, Kempton Park, 1619. The mailing address is listed as PO Box 8157, Bonaero Park, 1622.

Listed as current directors are Hao Song, Hong Wang, Hong Yu Chen, Jin Hong Wang, and Shouwen Jiang. Seven people — Hongpeng Ju, Tao Liang, Shouwen Jiang, Haiquan Lu, Xiaoming Li and Yuan Lun Liu — were listed as “resigned”. (It is not clear if Shouwen Jiang refers to the same individual.)

Rhinos exported from North West Province

Although Decai International’s address is in Gauteng Province, its 28 rhino exports were approved by authorities in Limpopo Province.

Between 2008 — 2010, at least 38 rhinos were exported from North West Province to China; documents obtained from O.R. Tambo International Airport, via South Africa’s Parliamentary Monitoring Group, include only the importers’ addresses.

26 of the rhinos were sent to “NQ1 Siulong Artery, Hangfu (or ‘Hanfu’) Road, Hangzhou, Zhejaing Province”; four to “No. 59, Hutouji Road, Fuzhou, Fujian Province”; two to “No Zero Xin Gongyuan Rd., Nanchang”; two to Luoyang Wangcheng Park, No. 312, Zhongzhou Middle Road Xigong District, Luioyang City Henan Province; and four to “Tianci Xu, Sanya Longhui Breeding Co, Ltd. Tailing Village Tianya, Sanya (City), Hainan Province”.

At the time of writing, it is not known if Decai International is connected to the North West rhino exports; however, it will not be a surprise if a connection is made.

Wild-caught rhinos exported to China

Data obtained from CITES suggests that of the 159 rhinos that South Africa exported to China during 2007 — 2010, at least 60, and possibly as many as 134, were captured from the wild.

China reports receiving 131 rhinos during the same time period.

‘Competent to grant permits’

Article IX of the text of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) states that

Each Party shall designate for the purposes of the present Convention:

(a) one or more Management Authorities competent to grant permits or certificates on behalf of that Party; and

(b) one or more Scientific Authorities.

It’s difficult to believe that exports of such large numbers of rhinos to a rhino horn consumer country — during an escalation in illegal rhino horn trade — did not attract the attention of South Africa’s designated Management or Scientific Authorities.

Source: http://www.rhinoconservation.org (http://s.tt/1f7KU)

[Poplap]

It’s difficult to believe that exports of such large numbers of rhinos to a rhino horn consumer country — during an escalation in illegal rhino horn trade — did not attract the attention of South Africa’s designated Management or Scientific Authorities.

Source: http://www.rhinoconservation.org (http://s.tt/1f7KU)

Quite difficult...

It has been alleged that Lit’s and Khahn’s visas had expired on October 28, 2008, but they had entered the country on December 3, 2008. - Daily News

Quite difficult to believe too...

[iNdlovu]

Hmmm not when lots of money changes hands

[Lisbeth]

African safari operators and conservation groups said they plan to move up to 100 South African rhinos to neighbouring Botswana for safekeeping, as poaching levels spike to new highs.


More than 100 rhinos will be moved to Botswana in an effort to protect the species. Image: Saving Rhinos

"One hundred rhinos will be captured and safely transported from South Africa and released in Botswana's remote wilderness," two conservation groups called &Beyond and Great Plains said in a joint statement.

A team of anti-poaching experts will be charged with monitoring the animals, which will be tagged and micro-chipped.

Last year more than 1,000 rhinos were illegally killed in South Africa, home to the majority of the world's rhino population, which marks a 50% jump from the previous year's killings that have been fuelled by rising demand from Asia for rhino horn.

"There is a battle raging for Africa's wildlife. Rhinos are being poached at a rate of one every nine hours," said Great Plains' chief executive Dereck Joubert.


An impressive specimen with its horn intact. Image: Saving Rhinos

The move is expected to take place in 2015 and cost more than US$8m, which the two groups hope to raise.

Discussions are still under way about where the animals will be bought from - but will likely include both public and private game reserves.

"The initiative would be a good one, we need every possible initiative to save the species," said Isaac Phaahla, spokesman for South Africa National Parks.

South Africa is home to around 80% of the world's rhino population, estimated at more than 25,000.

Most rhinos live in the vast Kruger Park - roughly the size of Israel - which is also the poachers' preferred hunting ground.

More than 60% of South Africa's rhino poaching occurs in Kruger.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196 ... .html#more

[Flutterby]

A worthwhile enterprise I suppose but why don't they use the $8m to better equip the people who are trying to save the rhinos in SA?

[Duke]

So Botswana can look after its wildlife as compared to ............

[Sprocky]

So Botswana can look after its wildlife as compared to ............

Mmmm, makes one wonder about competency???

Now we pass the Rhino and the buck!!

[Dewi]

Hopefully they will get better protection there, but it does seem to be a bit like re-arranging the deck-chairs on the Titanic.