PROGRESS REPORTRHINO POACHING

Portfolio Committee Meeting20 March 2013

• Poaching statistics, Arrests, Rhino related cases (Ms R Masela)

• Response to threat (Ms R Masela)• DNA Sampling in Hong Kong (Ms R Masela)• Strategic objectives of the National Wildlife

Information Management Unit (Ms R Masela)• Legislative amendments – NEMLA (Ms Thea Carroll) • Impact of legislative amendments (Ms Thea Carroll) • Stockpile management (Fundisile Mketeni)• Conservation management interventions

OUTLINE

POACHING STATISTICS  2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total

KNP (SANParks)

36 50 146 252 320 116 920

MNP (SANParks)

0 0 0 6 3 0 9

GP 0 7 15 9 1 0 32

LIM 23 16 52 74 50 8 223

MP 2 6 17 31 23 9 88

NW 7 10 57 21 63 13 171

EC 1 3 4 11 7 0 26

FS 0 2 3 4 0 0 9

KZN 14 28 38 34 59 12 185

WC 0 0 0 6 2 0 8

NC 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

 TOTAL 83 122 333 448 528 158 1672

ARRESTS (2010 – 2013)South Africa - Arrests 2013 2012 2011 2010

KNP (KNP) 28 55 82 67 MNP 0 0 0 0 Gauteng (GP) 3 26 16 10 Mpumalanga (MP) 1 58 73 16

Eastern Cape (EC) 0 0 2 7

Limpopo (LP) 20 39 34 36

North West (NW) 8 24 21 2

Free State (FS) 0 6 0 0

KZN (KZN) 1 15 4 25

Western Cape (WC) 0 0 0 2

Northern Cape (NC) 0 1 0 0

Total 61 224 232 165

RHINO RELATED CASE MANAGEMENT

• Total cases on the roll 82

• Charges include possession, dealing, illegal hunting, illegal possession of fire-arm / ammunition and trespassing

• Current conviction rate: 75.9%

• 26 Foreign nationals sentenced (Total accused convicted: 63)

RESPONSE TO THREAT• Continued implementation of The National Strategy for the

Safety and Security of Rhinoceros Populations in South Africa

• Review of National Strategy for Safety and Security of Rhinoceros Populations in South Africa to address emerging issues

• Continued bilateral engagements with neighbouring, transit & consumer states

• Permanent and consistent representation within the NATJOINTS to interface with all relevant national programmes and special projects

• Inclusion of monitoring / patrolling on private land in Rural Safety Plan

RESPONSE TO THREAT• Establishment of a detector dog unit within DEA in

collaboration with National Border Management Coordination Centre

• MoUs to be initiated with law enforcement agencies, and customs to facilitate sharing of information

• MoU with Vietnam signed in December 2012 – implementation plan prepared

• MoU with Thailand to be initiated in first quarter of 2013/2014• MoU on biodiversity specific matters with China to be finalised• MoU with Kenya to be finalised• Engagements with Mozambique and Zimbabwe relating to

TFCA• Bilateral with Mozambique

DNA SAMPLING IN HONG KONG• A visit in August 2012 lead by DG-DEA, confirmed

willingness from the HONG KONG authorities to allow DNA sampling and to subsequently release the horns back to SA for further processing .

• A commitment was made to the HONG KONG authorities, that a follow up visit by the technical team would follow for this purpose once the MLA related issues are resolved.

• Awaiting confirmation of dates to collect samples

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF UNIT

• Establishment of the National Wildlife Information Management Unit;

• To support the Law Enforcement Agencies on collection, investigation and analysis of information to enhance case management and increase convictions;

• Implement and review the National Strategy on the Safety and Security of the Rhinoceros population in South Africa;

• Adopted by National Assembly – submitted to NCOP• Public hearings in provinces through NCOP (Select

Committee) • Amendments include:

• Refusal, deferring and cancellation of permits – persons under investigation

• Compulsory registration of Professional Hunters, Outfitters and Trainers

• Transit provisions – documentation required• Amnesty to facilitate compliance

LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS – NEMLA

AMENDED NORMS AND STANDARDS• Hunting by Vietnamese citizens suspended awaiting finalisation of

inspections: February 2012• Amended N&S came into effect: April 2012 • Applications to hunt white rhino received per annum:

• Russian Federation (2012: 11; 2013: 4); Czech Republic (2012: 7; 2013: 5); USA (2012: 19; 2013: 2)

IMPACT: LEGISLATIVE INTERVENTIONS (N&S)

YEAR NUMBER OF HUNTING APPLICATIONS

2009 111 (84 from Vietnam)

2010 166 (116 from Vietnam)

2011 222 (112 from Vietnam)

2012 91 (8 from Vietnam)

2013 15

RESTRICTIONS ON LIVE EXPORTSTO APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPTABLE DESTINATIONS

•July 2011 – MINMEC approved restrictions relating to appropriate and acceptable destinations for live export of rhinoceros.

•101 live rhino exported to Asia from 2007 – 2011

•Live rhino exports endorsed at OR Tambo from 2007 – 2012: 223 White rhino exported to various countries (105 to China)

IMPACT: OF LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Number of live rhino exported (Permits endorsed at OR Tambo)

64 38 30 40 31 20

STOCKPILE VERIFICATION

Q1 Consultation with enforcement agencies regarding amnestyQ2 Record and analyse stockpile informationQ3 Record and analyse stockpile information and draft gazette notice developedQ4 Gazette notice on NEMBA amnesty for Rhino Horns Stockpile

STOCKPILE VERIFICATION

Secure electronic stockpile register system developed

Provincial conservation authorities’ representatives trained: 7 February 2013

Final amendments based on requests from provincial representatives: March 2013

Access provided to trained officials – information to be captured by provincial conservation authorities

Establish satellite offices where there is no capacity

STOCKPILE VERIFICATION cont..

Areas of uncertainty:

When to announce Amnesty (before NCOP consideration of amendments?)

Amnesty period

Keeping verified stock and liability

Capacity to keep the stockpile

Budget Constraints

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS

• Black rhinoceros Biodiversity Management Plan to published in the Government Gazette No 36096 for implementation

• White rhino BMP framework developed

• Establishment of a Rhino Sanctuary

THANK YOU

THANK YOU

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