Rhino Poaching 2013

[Penga Ndlovu]

Oh No

Is this an excuse to legalize trade

I sure hope not Duke.

[Penga Ndlovu]

477

[Richprins]

I think this is the Limpopo Farm, not sure if Ohrigstad is/was in that province:


Businessman sells remaining rhino

Fred Kinnear speaks out as he loses three more rhinos to poaching

04 July 2013 | Nicolene Smalman

NELSPRUIT - A local businessman has had enough of rhino poaching and is selling the 11 rhino he has left after four more of the animals had been slaughtered on his game lodge.

Mr Fred Kinnear, who owns Hannah Game Lodge near Orighstad, has lost four white rhino in less than two weeks. One of his bulls was poached on Saturday June 22. On Monday, his staff fed lucern to the remaining rhino. "The poachers must have watched us. Shortly after we left, they moved in and killed three of the animals - a bull, cow and her 14-month-old calf. The latter collapsed and died on its knees."


Although the rhino had been dehorned last year, the poachers mutilated the animals' faces for the stumps.


A fourth one was severely wounded and is currently being treated by a vet of Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency. "I started out with 20 rhino, I have 11 left. My staff members are very traumatised and sad. We look after our animals all the time. I've had it. I am giving up and selling the remaining rhino," sighed Kinnear.

http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/co ... ning-rhino

[Sprocky]

This so so unnecessary!!!

All the more reason for us to try and save as many as we can by donating to our cause!!

[Toko]

Ja, this game lodge is in Limpopo, but close to the provincial border.

[Flutterby]

[H. erectus]

This thread is fast becoming the sickest thread on all of www. threads.
Once again, casting a blind eye will not help. We simply have too face it.

However, when we do take action or have deliberate comment please take
heed!!!.. .gov we have a problem, if you are not capable then say so!!!!!!!

[Sprocky]

.Gov does not give a damn H.

I'll be going past Hannah Lodge again tomorrow, everytime I pass there I want to go in since the last time they got poached. But, what do I say??? I feel for Fred and cry for the lost animals!!

[Toko]

South African Government committed to employing various methods to thwart the ongoing poaching

11 July 2013


The South African government remains committed to addressing the on-going scourge of rhino poaching that has to date seen a total of 480 rhinos killed for their horns, whilst the number of arrests has increased to 140.

As part of interventions to address the scourge, Cabinet recently approved that South Africa prepares and submits a rhino trade proposal for consideration at the 17th Conference of Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2016. The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a Task Team to assist in preparation for the CoP17 CITES, since the development of a trade proposal should take into account numerous aspects, including the appropriate model for trade; the anticipated changes in the markets and the demand for rhino horn; the additional control measures and requirements to be introduced; potential trade partners; etc.

The decision to table a proposal at the next CITES CoP was not taken lightly. It followed an extensive public consultation process, nationally and internationally. In 2012 a national consultation process, known as the Rhino Issue Management process relating to rhino conservation was initiated with various stakeholders. This process resulted in the Rhino Issue Manager Report that has since been tabled in Cabinet and MECs. The RIM Report makes recommendations on funding, rhino conservation, safety and security, and commerce (trade).

On the matter of international trade for commercial purposes, as was presented and approved by Cabinet recently, this will only be allowed if approved by the Conference of Parties. Currently, international trade in rhino horn for commercial purposes is prohibited and this prohibition can only be lifted, if agreed by the CoP. To ensure Parties to CITES are able to make a decision relating to this matter, a proposal must be submitted for consideration by the Parties.

The South African government believes trade must be seen in the broader context of a myriad of interventions being implemented to address the scourge of rhino poaching. Government does not view trade as a panacea for the on-going scourge, but is part of a number of measures implemented.

The recent Cabinet meeting also approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) comprising of the Ministers of Water and Environmental Affairs, International Relations and Cooperation, Trade and Industry, of Finance, Science and Technology, of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, of Rural Development and Land Reform, of Economic Development and of Tourism, to provide guidance relating to preparations in respect of the trade proposal. The Task Team responsible for the technical details referred to above will report to the IMC.

Despite our stated objective to present a trade proposal at COP17, South Africa will continue to employ numerous safety and security measures.

Among the steps that have already been taken are:

- the deployment of additional anti-poaching units, the Police and SANDF in the Kruger National Park;
- the prioritisation of rhino crimes by the justice system;
- the implementation of harsher sentences for poachers, couriers and members of poaching syndicates;
- the prioritisation of the development of an improved electronic permitting system
- the implementation of revised norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros horn and for the hunting of rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes to strengthen the requirements relating to marking and hunting; and include the requirement to take DNA samples to facilitate monitoring and enforcement.

This has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of hunting applications received, with 69 applications received to date for hunts during 2013.

In addition, the National Environmental Management Laws First Amendment Bill [B13B-2012] aimed at strengthening the regulatory and enforcement provisions to prevent abuse of the hunting permitting system is at an advanced stage in the Parliamentary process, and is expected to be enacted within the coming months. Once promulgated, the Amendments will ensure that a person involved in an illegal restricted activity, but who does not physically carry out that activity, can also be found guilty of an offence. The Bill further prescribes that all specimens in transit through the country must be accompanied by the necessary documentation. This important provision will assist in addressing the movement of illegal specimens.

With regards to strengthening the regulatory and enforcement provisions in the hunting industry, the Bill will allow the Minister to limit the number of permits that can be issued in order to protect a species.

The government would like to reiterate its commitment to working in partnership with stakeholders and experts to ensure a feasible model for trade is proposed at the next CoP in South Africa. All views expressed by interested and affected stakeholders involved in rhino conservation will be considered.

South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.



For media queries contact:

Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871

[Sprocky]

This has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of hunting applications received, with 69 applications received to date for hunts during 2013.

Hunting applications have reduced in number, but the poaching increases! Does this not point to the obvious???