PROGRESS REPORT RHINO POACHING Portfolio Committee Meeting 20 March 2013

OUTLINE 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

POACHING STATISTICS   2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total KNP (SANParks) 36 50 146 252 320 116 920 MNP (SANParks) 6 3 9 GP 7 15 1 32 LIM 23 16 52 74 8 223 MP 2 17 31 88 NW 10 57 21 63 13 171 EC 4 11 26 FS KZN 14 28 38 34 59 12 185 WC NC  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 Gauteng (GP) 3 26 16 10 Mpumalanga (MP) 1 58 73 Eastern Cape (EC) 2 7 Limpopo (LP) 20 39 34 36 North West (NW) 8 24 21 Free State (FS) 6 KZN (KZN) 15 4 25 Western Cape (WC) Northern Cape (NC) 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;

LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS – NEMLA 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

IMPACT: LEGISLATIVE INTERVENTIONS (N&S) 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) 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

IMPACT: OF LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS 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) 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 amnesty Q2 Record and analyse stockpile information Q3 Record and analyse stockpile information and draft gazette notice developed Q4 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