New Initiatives Aim To Curb Poaching Crisis

The Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit by rhino poachers this year, having lost 70 rhino to mostly foreign poachers since January 1. At the time of going to print, the total number rhino poached since the start of 2013 is 102. A total of 10 have been poached in KwaZulu-Natal, 11 in North West, 4 in Mpumalanga and 7 in limpopo. In 2012, the number of rhino poached for their horns in South Africa soared to 668. This year alone, 33 poachers have been arrested, 24 of them in the Kruger National Park. The minister of water and enviromental affairs, Ms Eden Molewa, has noted with concern the increase in poaching and its confident that SANParks is on the verge of a turnaround given the initiatives presently being implemented. She emphasised the fact that rhino poaching is fought at verious levels, including field coverage, public awareness, regional engagement and even at a global level. In the upcoming Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting, the minister plans to engage with the regional groupings on this issue. Futhermore, she welcomed the recently announced signing of a declaration by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, banning theimport of all white and black rhino specimens. "The South African government welcomes the announcement by the Vietnamese government that the prohibition on the export, import and trade of specimens of rhino will come into effect", she says. The prohibition follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of biodiversity conservation and protection by Molewa with theminister of agricultural and rural development of the Social Republic of Vietnam, Dr Cao Duc Phat. The MoU was signed in Hanoi, Vietnam on December 10, 2012.The objective of the MoU is to promote cooperation between the two countries in the field of biodiversity management, conservation and protection. Particularly aimed at curbing the scourge in rhino poaching, the MoU seeks topromote cooperation in law enforcement and compliance with the CITES and other relevant legislation and and conventionson the basis of equality and mutual benefit.Officials from both countries are currently working on a draft plan of action with short - and long - term activities which include activities to curb the illegal trade in rhino horn. In terms of the decision by the Government of Vietnam, signed on January 24,2013,products derived or made from white rhino, blackrhino and the African elephant - all listed in terms of the Appendices of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) - may no longer be exported or traded. Live rhino and elephant and its products may, however, be imported for diplomatic purposes, scientific research, biodiversity conservation, zoo displays, exhibitions, non-profit circus performances, law enforcement or exchanged as specimens in terms of CITES management provisions. The decleration also states that specimens may be imported only for non-commercial purposes in accordance with the cooperative agreement between the CITES management authority of Vietnam and the CITES management authority of exporting countries, Specimens for which CITES import permits had already been granted would not be affected. Anyone caught violating the articles of the decision by Vietnamese government will be charged either with a criminal or administrtive offence subject to the nature and seriousness of the violation. " We believe that this latest development is important for South Africa will assist our law enforcement authorities to effectively deal with the current scourge of poaching" Molewa said.

SANParks Times newspaper March 2013