Forensics To Support The Fight Against Wildlife Crime

The first international rhinoceros DNA sampling training workshop was held in South Africa on 5 and 6 November 2013. The purpose of the workshop was to enhance the world’s enforcement capacity to address the wave of rhinoceros poaching that has resulted in the killing of 825 animals in South Africa since January 2013. 

 The South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and the University of Pretoria’s Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL), in collaboration with the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), hosted a rhinoceros DNA sampling workshop at the Southern African Wildlife College near Hoedspruit in South Africa, which included field training in the Kruger National Park.

 Law enforcement officers from each of the 11 African rhinoceros range states, as well as from China, Thailand and Vietnam, and South African National Parks, participated in the workshop.

 The capacity of law enforcement officers working along national borders, at border posts and in protected areas to detect, investigate and prosecute offenders involved in rhinoceros poaching and illegal rhinoceros horn trade has been boosted through a series of lectures and field visits to the Kruger National Park to partake in the physical DNA sampling of rhino that had been poached within the Park. Special focus was given to the increased use of rhinoceros horn DNA sampling to combat wildlife crime.

“South Africa welcomes the hosting of an international rhino DNA sampling workshop since we are the country most seriously affected by rhino poaching that is largely driven by international wildlife trafficking. The presentation of this workshop supports the decision by CITES at the 16th Conference of Parties in Thailand in March 2013 that all range States, transit and consumer States should strengthen compliance and enforcement,” said the Deputy Director-General: Biodiversity and Conservation in the Department of Environmental Affairs, Mr Fundisile Mketeni.

 The number of rhinos poached in South Africa for their horn since January 2013 has increased to 825. The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching, with 500 rhino being killed by poachers. A total of 87 rhinos have been poached in Limpopo, 77 in North West, 74 in Mpumalanga and 73 in KwaZulu-Natal. The number of alleged poachers arrested has increased to 272.

 Law enforcement officers will emerge from the DNA training better equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to enable them to effectively counter illegal wildlife trade. This includes specific investigative techniques and the increased use of wildlife forensics, which can be applied during follow up actions that should be taken when seizures are made, crime scenes are investigated, information is being gathered or evidence is being presented to court.

 The officials have been provided with focused training on the identification of rhinoceros horn, rhinoceros horn DNA sampling and wildlife crime scene investigation. Participants have also been educated in the utilisation of ICCWC tools and services to enhance their wildlife crime investigation capabilities.

 ICCWC is a collaborative effort by the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Bank and the World Customs Organization (WCO) to bring coordinated support to the national wildlife law enforcement agencies and to the sub-regional and regional networks that act in defense of natural resources.

 In collaboration with its ICCWC partners, the UNODC commissioned the development of the ICCWC Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit, which provides countries with a technical resource that enables them to undertake a national assessment with the aim to understand the main issues relating to wildlife and forest offences, and identify technical assistance needs.The toolkit was launched in 2012, with the financial backing of the World Bank Development Grant Facility, to effectively combat illegal wildlife trade, which is estimated at between $16 and $27 billion a year globally, including timber and marine species.

 Some of the most lucrative illegal wildlife commodities include tiger parts, elephant ivory, rhino horn, and exotic birds and reptiles, while the recent World Bank study Justice for Forests recognizes that illegal trade in timber deprives States of over $10 billion in annual revenue.

 CITES Secretary-General John E. Scanlon said: “We are supporting countries deploy the technologies and techniques they need to fight back against escalating wildlife crime. Drawing on South Africa's expertise, we are expanding the use of forensic technologies, with DNA test results often being critical for securing successful prosecutions. These collaborative efforts directly respond to the decisive actions taken by CITES Parties earlier this year to better combat wildlife crime.”

The recently developed eRhODIS™ application was also introduced and launched during the workshop with Samsung as the exclusive technology partner. This application provides the information technology backbone to support RhODIS®.

Dr Cindy Harper, Director of the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at the University of Pretoria, said: “RhODIS® continues to play a vitally important role supporting rhinoceros crime prosecutions in South Africa and its implementation and utilisation Internationally could play a key role in bringing persons involved in international wildlife crime syndicates to book.”

The workshop was made possible by funding generously provided to ICCWC by the Government of the Netherlands.

 Background information on rhino poaching and smuggling of their horns

 The illegal trade in rhinoceros horn continues to be one of the most structured criminal activities currently faced by wildlife enforcement authorities.

 There are clear indications that organized criminal groups are involved in rhinoceros poaching and illegal trade in rhinoceros horn. The CITES Conference of the Parties, at its 16th meeting, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 3 to 14 March 2013, stressed the need for increased cooperation amongst source, transit and destination countries affected by the illegal killing of rhinoceros and the subsequent illegal trade in rhinoceros horn.

 In consultation with rhinoceros range States, the ICCWC identified the need for training on rhinoceros horn DNA sampling for law enforcement officers as a priority. A proposal was submitted to the Government of The Netherlands for consideration and funding. The Netherlands Government approved the proposal and generously made funding available to support a capacity building intervention to combat illegal rhino horn trade.

 Considering that South Africa maintains the Rhino DNA Index System (RhODIS®), and that suitable experts to deliver the required training are available in the country, the CITES Secretariat on behalf of ICCWC, requested South Africa to host the capacity building intervention.

 RhODIS® was developed to assist in addressing the increase in rhino poaching, smuggling of rhinoceros horn and recovery/confiscation of horn and related products by consumer States by the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Veterinary Science. It involves the collection of DNA samples of live and poached rhinoceros across the country as well as all stockpiled horns, to create a DNA database with the unique profiles of individual animals.

 The database presently includes over 10 000 samples from black and white rhinoceros from Africa. These have been collected over the last 3 years and have provided important forensic evidence which have played a vital role in a number on prosecutions.

 South Africans are encouraged 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

Two Suspected Rhino Poachers Appear In Court

Two suspected rhino poachers have appeared in the Groblersdal Magistrate's Court, Limpopo police said on Tuesday.

 Arthur Mashaba, aged 43, and Albertus Muloti, aged 40, appeared on charges of the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition on Monday, Colonel Ronel Otto said.

 Charges against three other suspects were dropped because they could not be linked to the firearm and ammunition.

 The case against Mashaba and Muloti was postponed to next Tuesday for further investigation. They would remain in custody. They were arrested on Friday evening after information was received about possible rhino poaching in the Marble Hall area.

 After a tip-off police stopped and searched a car and a bakkie. The five were arrested. A hunting rifle, silencer, ammunition, and an axe were seized.

 AFP reported that over 100 rhino were poached in the month of October pushing the death toll closer toward 800 for the year.

 The conservation status of rhino have become critical as the number of rhino killed is set to surpass births, leading to overall population decline.

 The Witness reported last month on the uncovering of an alleged rhino poaching conspiracy in Durban in which two women were arrested.

 The women attempted to organise a poaching hit with an undercover police officer and were charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, a hunting rifle, and with conspiracy to illegally hunt a rhino at Umsuluzi game park in the KZN Midlands on 24 April.

 By:
 South African Press Association

On Safari With Dean From 1 November 2013

1 November 2013

Today we entered the park through Numbi Gate, we made our way down to the camp of Pretoriuskop for lunch.

After the guests had enjoyed their lunch break, we made our way down the Napi road to the Napi Boulders and the on to Nkambeni Safari Camp.

Animal seen on the drive were buffalo, rhino, elephant, kudu, impala, stenbuck and waterbuck.

Guests got back into the camp with just five minutes to spare before gate closing.

2 November 2013

Well today turned out to be another great day of game viewing in the Kruger National Park.

We left Nkambeni Safari Camp at 06h00 and made our way out on the game drive, we drove up the Numbi gate tar getting good sightings of buffalo, we turned onto Napi Road getting more good sightings of elephant and numerous sightings of buffalo.

Then between the Shithave dam and Napi boulders junction, we got a call about lions at Transport Dam which had been chased up the tree by hyena's as well as a couple of meters away, a leopard was lying under the tree.

This was too good to be true, so we made our way in that direction, praying that we would get there in time.

After what felt like forever, we turned onto the Transport Dam access road and made our way down to the sighting.

It turned out just as explained on the radio, one lioness lying on the ground watching the hyena's and the other one six foot in the tree, when you cast your eyes to the left, there was a large leopard lying in the open under the tree watching the spectacle unfold in front of him. A large sigh of relief was breathed having got such a good sighting.

We made our way back onto the Napi Road and turned in the direction of Skukuza getting a female hyena and her pups playing in the road. We made our way onto Skukuza for a well deserved break.
We left skukuza at 09h30 and made our way down to the low water bridge, getting good sightings of crocodile, hippo and buffalo.

We made our way back to Numbi Gate on the Napi Road getting good sightings of buffalo, giraffe, elephant, as well as a cheetah trying to take down some impala just 3.2 Km's from transport dam.

Numerous rhino sightings were experienced thought the day. We continued on getting back to camp in time for lunch and then dropping some guests off that had been with us for one night to catch there transfer back to OR Tambo International Airport, but had managed to see six of the magnificent seven.

After a good rest, it was back on the road to see what we could find. We got great sightings of dwarf mongoose with their young, kudu, elephant, buffalo and rhino this afternoon.

We returned to the camp at 18h00 with everybody in high spirits having seen lots today.

3 November 2013

We left Nkambeni safari camp at 06h00 and made our way up the Numbi Gate tar, getting good sightings of buffalo and elephant. We turned onto the Napi Road and then turned onto the Voortrekker road making our way in the direction of Afsaal.

Sightings on the road were not wonderful but guests still had good sightings of numerous rhino, buffalo, elephant and Sable antelope.

We stopped off at Afsaal for a coffee break and then made our way up little jock road and onto the S114.

Good buffalo were seen on these roads.

We made our way over the Biyamiti weir and onto the Biyamiti loop looking for some of the cat species which were proving to be quite elusive today.

There was very little activity on the radio so we had to find the stuff ourselves.

We turned onto the S113 and made our way to the H3 and then it was up to Skukuza only getting more sightings of buffalo and elephant.

We made our way onto Elloff street up to the high water ridge getting very little movement of any animals and this could be attributed to the higher temperatures experienced today.

We got a good sighting of hippo's from the high water bridge and then also some vultures drinking and bathing in the Sand River on the Tshokwane Tar road. We made our way back over the Sabie river at the low water bridge. We made our way into Skukuza for a lunch break.

After lunch was enjoyed by all, it was back out on the Napi road in direction of the camp as guests were going out on the afternoon / evening safari. With the higher temperatures being experienced, guests needed to take a break for an afternoon siesta, before heading out in the African sun and dirt on another wildlife encounter.

4 November 2013

Today we left Nkambeni Safari Camp at 06h00 and made our way down the Numbi Gate tar getting great sightings of buffalo, elephant. We continued onto the Napi Road and had more good sightings of the same.

We made our way back to the Numbi Gate in order to get clients onto their return shuttle to Johannesburg.

After this we carried on with the game drive to the camp of Skukuza for a break. Numerous sightings of rhino, elephant, buffalo, impala, wildebeest, waterbuck, duiker, and giraffe were experienced.

Upon finishing with our break, we received a call about lions on the Marula Loop, we made our way there, but sadly only got to see them sleeping, as the temperature had already climbed to well over thirty degrees.

We made our way on to the high water bridge getting good sightings of hippo and then it was back into Skukuza for lunch.

After lunch we made our way back on the Napi Road taking a turn down to Quagga pan getting good sighting of a pair of saddle billed storks together with their chick. We ace our way back down the Napi road, getting a great sighting of a female cheetah together with her cubs about six kilometres past transport dam.

Other sightings enjoyed were more rhino, elephant, buffalo, kudu, impala, waterbuck, giraffe and baboon.

We returned to camp and had a great sighting of a young elephant right next to our vehicle on the camps access road.

Tomorrow, it is out early again, before returning to Johannesburg for the clients to catch their return flight to the United Kingdom.

Keep watching for more!!

South African National Parks Responds To The Branded Restaurants Debate

SANParks has been monitoring the feedback and debate taking place in the various forms of media. There is, as in the case of such announcements, varied and differing opinion, but in general the move has been seen as positive.

 The debate seems to be following a few specific themes, namely;

 1. What research was done to inform the decision to solicit Branded Restaurants?

 2. There will be more road kill due to speeding delivery trucks.

 3. There will be more litter produced by the takeaways.

 A bit of background to the operations of restaurants in SANParks:

 There have been restaurant operations in Parks for many years. In 1931 restaurants in the following Kruger National Park camps, Skukuza, Satara and the Letaba were run by private individuals. These individuals were in fact responsible for all tourism services. In other words they were “Outsourced” In 1945, they were taken over by a company called Kruger Park Services and hence remained “outsourced” They were taken over by SANParks in 1955 who operated them until 2001. The decision to once again “outsource” them was based on the Mckinsey report that found that it would be of strategic value to outsource non-core assets and in addition bases on a PWC report its further found that they were loss making operations, and were therefore essentially being subsidized by public funding. It was the McKinsey report that laid down the basis of what is now termed the SANParks Commercialisation Strategy.

 The restaurant portfolio is a key part of SANParks Commercialization Strategy executed through Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Out of the initial suite of operations that were outsourced through PPP’s processes to private organisations i.e. lodges, retail and restaurants, it was indeed the restaurant operations that proved to be most unsuccessful. In the wake of two failed contacts with private partners, mounting complaints from visitors, SANParks had to look at a new model. It was on this basis that it was decided to look into the options of contracting with new and successful South African Restaurant Brands. 

 Before embarking on the development of a suitable model, two key factors had to be understood. Firstly, what were the main issues driving the complaints, and secondly and more importantly we needed to test the opinions, needs and preferences of our most loyal customers. A survey was conducted online and independently by the University of the North West’s Tourism Research unit (TREES). It was conducted over the periods 7 to 9 November 2011 and 5464 customers participated through invitation, 64% of them were Wild Card Holders. Based on this information (Available on the SANParks website) SANParks developed a revised restaurant PPP model. 

 SANParks engaged on the restaurant tenders in March 2013. The criteria for selection include Functionality, BEE initiatives & PPP fee offered. Functionality covers Environmental Initiatives, Financing and Capital plans, Business, Operation and Design plans and Risks that are transferred to the Private Party. The tenders were evaluated from 17 to 19 July 2013 and the successful operators were announce to the public on the 30 October 2013.

 SANParks is excited that our partners are happy to tone down the signage and interior décor in order to be in more in keeping with the sense of place of each restaurant. 

 Regarding concerns about more road kill due to speeding delivery trucks in the Kruger National Park, please note that Famous Brands will be the franchisor for the majority of restaurants through the Mugg & Bean and Wimpy brands. Along with their expert restaurant & franchising capabilities, they have very good logistical support to their franchisee which was a criteria that was important in making the appointments. It is important to note that Famous Brands will be re-designing the kitchen in order to provide a quality product. The re-design will in some cases lead to an increase in fridge, freezer and storage space and ultimately result in fewer deliveries happening (compared to current). The other large outlet is the Skukuza Main Restaurant where Cattle Baron will be the franchisor and Tourvest Holding (Pty) Ltd is the franchisee. Tourvest has been running the retail outlets in the KNP for over 10 years now. With the Skukuza Restaurant to their existing logistical support, it is unlikely that there will be any additional traffic but rather a consolidation between the retail and restaurant as far as the logistics are concerned. Ultimately though, all of these brand have been built on a sound reputation, something that these operators will not want to destroy due to aspects such as poor management of vehicle fleet operations. 

 It is important to note that due to SANParks’ conservation and Responsible Tourism mandate, emphasis on environmental issues are very prominent in our partner sourcing process. All operators have subscribed to many environmental friendly initiatives which could be far reaching in terms of looking after the environment. They include and are not limited to preferred pest control chemicals, prohibited chemical substances, subscribing to the pest management plan, recycling, use of biodegradable packaging, optimal water use and limiting litter. SANParks is therefore confident that the Private Parties understands our mandate and will partner with SANParks in this regard to ensure that the environment is looked after as good as possible. As reputable brands, they will not want to be the cause of any avoidable environmental damage.

 As we continue to adapt to our guest and environmental needs, we encourage all our guests to visit our restaurants and join us on this journey as we turn this new leaf!

 Issued by: 
 South African National Parks

R17.3 million Worth Of Rhino Horn Seized During An Operation In Centurion, Near Pretoria

They arrived at a secure complex where they first found a car with a hidden compartment used for horns, microchip scanners, a bandsaw and hi-tech scales. Two horns were in the car. The following day, an eagleeyed policeman noticed that soil in the garden had been disturbed, and six rhino horns wrapped in clingfilm were unearthed.

 One of the horns was so fresh, it was later found to have been hacked from a rhino just a few days earlier.

 The details of Operation Whisper, which bust the rhino-poaching syndicate, were revealed in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

 Colonel Gerhard Vermeulen of the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory told how he had arrived at the crime scene to find two rhino horns in a car.

 They had been stashed in a hidden compartment, between the rear seat and the boot.

“If you had opened the boot you wouldn’t have been able to see it,” said Vermeulen.

 In the dock was Vietnamese citizen Gulit Chu Duc, 23, who was arrested on May 31 last year at the Centurion complex.

 He has pleaded guilty to two charges related to the transportation and possession of rhino horns.

 His arrest was the culmination of Operation Whisper, during which undercover SAPS members had sold two rhino horns in KwaZulu-Natal and then followed the contraband to Gauteng.

 In a statement, Chu Duc said he had picked up a parcel from a person in Bruma, Joburg, and placed the parcel in his car.

 Vermeulen told the court that in the garage he also found a rhino horn in a bandsaw.

“It appeared to me that someone was in the process of cutting up the horn,” he said.

 On the floor were two microchip scanners.

 He believed the scanners were used to locate microchips left in the horns.

 The following day when Vermeulen searched the garden, he found six more horns.

 The horns were sent for DNA testing and compared to a genetic rhino database. They got a match on one of them.

 The horn belonged to a male rhino poached in the Hluhluwe Umfolozi game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal on the same day as the Centurion bust.

 The animal had been killed a few days earlier.

 A fingerprint matching Chu Duc was found on some of the plastic wrapped around the horn, said Vermeulen.

 Advocate Mannie Witz said his client was not part of a syndicate – “What he is, is the most dispensable person in the world.”

He claimed the vehicle Chu Duc was driving was registered to the Centurion complex’s landlord, who also owned a game farm in Klerksdorp, where legal rhino hunts were conducted.

 Witz said there were legal permits to hunt rhinos.

 Vermeulen said no permits were found relating to the eight seized horns.

“If these horns were legally hunted, why would they need to transport the horn in a secret compartment or hide them in the garden?” he asked.

 Chu Duc’s sentencing hearing will continue on December 6. THE GOVERNMENT’S plan to set up a national fund it would manage to combat rhino poaching has been blasted by the non-governmental sector, which fears the fund will be mismanaged.

 The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has been forging ahead with the establishment of the National Rhino Fund. It claims this will allow donors to be sure their money is going to anti-poaching projects.

 The idea behind the fund is that the government will look at projects that are underfunded and channel the money to them. It also will establish a separate DEA registry dealing with anti-poaching groups.

 However, at a meeting with NGOs, non-profit organisations, the private sector and the public in Kempton Park last week, the DEA came under fire.

 The major concerns raised included government involvement in the non-governmental sector and a potential mismanagement of funds.

“It’s a clear and absolute conflict of interest,” said Katheryn Kure, director of the eThekwini Community Foundation. She also questioned how the government could expect to raise funds through NGOs and why there was a need for a separate registry.

“It’s a needless duplication within the government,” Kure said. Her organisation was already registered with the Department of Social Development and was accountable to the Department of Justice, the Master of the High Court and Sars, with all finances available to the public on demand.

“When the government says we want to ring-fence your money and we’ll decide how it’s spent, I’m sceptical,” said another concerned person.

 Deputy director-general in the DEA Fundisile Mkenti admitted there was distrust in the government’s management of funds but said money would be used responsibly. “The money we get is not for politics; it’s for rhino poaching.”

Sheelagh Antrobus, of Project Rhino KZN, was worried that bigger, more politically connected groups would get most of the funding while smaller ones would get the leftovers. “I’m very concerned that it is going to be like lion cubs at a kill,” she said.

 Mkenti replied: “We don’t see competition. You help us by telling us who is funding you… give us those and we’ll avoid them.”

Another issue was whether the government would support groups opposed to legalising the rhino horn trade, because the DEA had a pro-trade stance.

“We don’t care, that’s your mandate… we won’t stop you,” said Mkenti.

 By:
 The Star

Newly Appointed Security Arrest Two Females

Newly appointed security personnel posted at Kruger Gate have arrested 2 females found in posession of 6 bags of dagga weighing 140.2KG valued at R100 000 or more.

Andrew Desmet Wins The Website Community Choice Award

For his recovery from the gunshot wound he sustained during an anti-poaching incident in the Kruger National Park Andrew’s miraculous recovery is indicative of the spirit displayed by all the brave and dedicated Rangers in their courage and determination to protect what we all hold so close to our hearts – the right for our wildlife to live in freedom without a threat of being wiped out by greedy criminals. #KuduAwards2013

An Analysis Of Restaurants And Shops In The South African National Parks

South African National Parks (SANParks) has restaurants operational in the majority of camps in National Parks. However, feedback from SANParks’ customers has indicated that the dining product offered in the restaurants and at the take-away facilities is at best “average” and in many instances “poor”.

SANParks is of the view that the introduction of South African Restaurant Brands through a franchise model will resolve the problems that are currently experienced at the restaurants ensuring consistency, value for money, product and pricing options, quality of offering and high service standards. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine visitors to South African National Parks’ opinions, needs and preferences regarding the introduction of brands and franchises in National Parks.

 Download the Analysis of restaurants and shops in the South African National Parks 2011: http://bit.ly/1f7QFgg

Poachers Arrests For The Month Of October 2013

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced a record number of arrests related to anti-poaching in the world famous Kruger National Park.
 
The Park has been under tremendous pressure from poachers, as it is home to over ninety percent of the global population of both white and black rhino that still roam in the wild. The animals are being illegally hunted for their horn, driven mainly by demand from South East Asia. Crime syndicates have been identified as the main culprits in recruiting those that kill the animals.

 Making the announcement, the Officer Commanding of the SANParks Rangers Corps, Major General (RET) Johan Jooste said the month had been a busy one with 213 tracks followed or spotted by field rangers, 30 shots heard, five contacts and four sightings.
 The total arrests for the month of October were nineteen individuals, the largest group consisting of seven suspects who were arrested on 11 October in Kabokweni, Mpumalanga, in an intelligence driven operation.

 Congratulating his team, Major General (ret) Jooste said “this has been a good morale booster for the entire team; though we still discover carcasses in the KNP we have been able to neutralize a huge number of poachers. We have also confiscated rifles, ammunition and poaching equipment in all operations. We are hopeful that the measures we are implementing will eventually yield the expected results, of bringing poaching incidents to acceptable levels”.

Jooste however reminded South Africans that the battle will be won outside the reserves, when the kingpins are brought to book. He urged those with information to make use of the Tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or 32211; contact Crime Line where they will remain anonymous or their nearest police station with information. He also thanked his team for their commitment and dedication to the fight to save South Africa’s Natural heritage.

 Issued by:
 South African National Parks Corporate Communications