1. PROGRESS REPORT RHINO POACHING
Portfolio Committee Meeting
20 March 2013

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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;

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. STOCKPILE VERIFICATIONQ1
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

14. 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

15. 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

16. CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS
Black rhinoceros Biodiversity Management Plan to published in the Government Gazette No for implementation
White rhino BMP framework developed
Establishment of a Rhino Sanctuary
THANK YOU

17. THANK YOU