Colloquium on Anti-Rhino Poaching 13 September 2016 Angus Sholto-Douglas Wildlife Ranching South Africa and Private Rhino Owners Association

Background Private Rhino Ownership Poaching Incidents Own + 6 287 rhino (B&W) - 33% SA pop NB rest of Africa combined 5 222 rhino 330 (were 400) private rhino reserves: 2 million ha Poaching Incidents 2014/15 estimate 80% had poaching incidents 280 poaching incidents with threat to human life

Factors Influencing Private Ownership Financial implications Risk / Poaching Law enforcement

Financial Implications influencing Private Ownership Loss of asset R300m Annual security costs 2009 – 2016 R1,150,000,000m Total Loss and cost R1,450,000,000 Ownership risk has resulted in: Rhino distribution loss of + 200 000 ha 70 reserves no longer have rhino due to: Impact of poaching (costs and loss)

Impact of Poaching on Private Ownership 1200 of the 6000 poached have been on private land. This equates to an asset loss of R300million. A horn value of some R1billion. Exponential increase in security costs. This leads to: Distress sale of remaining rhino on the property. Negative perception of rhino ownership, due to risk. 70 less private properties have rhino in SA, 400 to 330.

Law Enforcement and Impact on Reserve Management Substantive increase of budget > allocation to security Severe impact on reserve profitability/sustainability. Deployment of staff into security responsibilities Reserve upgrades or projects on hold Need to deploy armed APU teams Sophisticated security equipment Run informer network and gather intelligence

Core Challenges How do we maintain private rhino ownership? From that base, how do we encourage rhino custodianship or ownership? How do we improve security on private reserves?

How do we Maintain and Encourage Private Rhino Ownership? Financial sustainability through a regulated horn trade mechanism. Supportive, enabling legislation and law enforcement policies. Increased levels of responsibility by Private Rhino Owners Greater levels of co-operation between state, provincial and private rhino custodians. A more cohesive rhino management community in a broader sense, recognising differences of approach that all have a role in reducing rhino deaths.