http://www.news24.com/Green/Ne...rts-opposed-20130213

Cape Town - South Africa announced its opposition to a total ban on rhino trophy exports, saying it has beefed up hunt rules amid a poaching crisis that has killed 96 animals this year.

The government backed a recommendation by the UN wildlife trade regulator Cites secretariat that a proposal halting trade in rhino trophies and products be rejected at an upcoming meeting.

"We also welcome Cites’ acknowledgement of the recent significant steps taken to improve the management of rhino hunting," said Environment Minister Edna Molewa in a statement.

Kenya has proposed that a zero export quota be put in place in Swaziland and South Africa, which has the world's biggest white rhino population and allows legal hunts.

It is one of dozens of proposals on the global wildlife trade that will be voted on at next month's meeting of the 176-member country body in Bangkok.

The Cites secretariat said that South Africa had taken "significant steps to improve its management of rhino hunting".

Rather than trophy hunting having a negative impact on white rhino population, it said "available information suggests the contrary".

South Africa overhauled its rhino hunt rules amid a scandal over abuse of permit system that saw prostitutes organised to pose as marksmen to smuggle horns to the international market.

Rhino management strategies

The stricter rules had "resulted in a significant reduction in the number of hunting applications received", the environment ministry said.

The proposed ban, of several years, would halt a potentially sustainable and beneficial management model, said the Cites secretariat.

It would also "discourage the involvement of private landowners in the conservation of white rhinoceroses and undermine national and local rhino management strategies", it added.

The proposal would also apply more restrictions than in other countries where rhino populations were classified in the most endangered category.

An unprecedented 668 rhino were slaughtered last year for their horns, which some people in Asia believe have medicinal properties. The claim is widely discredited.

South Africa has had a moratorium on rhino horn sales since 2009.


- SAPA

Yes..... good one Kenya!!! (sarcasm alert)

why don't they ban the chineese then there would be no poaching,oops for got they own most of africa now!!!! what hope have the animals got!

Guys i think you need to read the whole article.

It is actually good for hunting.

The Cites secretariat said that South Africa had taken "significant steps to improve its management of rhino hunting".

Rather than trophy hunting having a negative impact on white rhino population, it said "available information suggests the contrary".

Kenya must be getting reallymad at this!

Their example has been proven to be a failure.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Kenya must be getting reallymad at this!

Their example has been proven to be a failure.

Yes Kenya has failed miserbly and yet they continue to push their model on other countries with much support from the rest of the world.

How can this be?

.

Soon as rhino hunting has been banned, please ban autos because they cause road deaths, ban spoons and ban temptation, please.

If illegal rhino hunting (poaching) is already illegal, why has it not stopped?

Why is poaching rhinos with a 303 doubly illegal, yet it has not stopped?

Am I preaching to the converted?

http://www.news24.com/Green/Ne...-under-fire-20130216


Private game reserve under fire
2013-02-16 12:35

Johannesburg - A petition is being circulated against a private game reserve in Limpopo that is offering packages to hunt rhino instead of saving them, it was reported on Saturday.

The petition by Paul Kruger Safaris against the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve offering rhino hunting packages, was supported by various other nature conservationists, the Saturday Star reported.

"Everyone is fighting for the rhino but Timbavati is allowing them to be hunted," said nature conservationist Pieter Odendaal.

He said Timbavati and the Kruger National Park had agreed that no fences would be erected between the parks to allow animals to roam freely.

"These rhinos set to be shot may well be rhinos that belong to the Kruger Park and who, by chance, are in the way of the hunters," said Odendaal.

Timbavati reportedly said photographic tourism operations were far more damaging than sustainable, well managed hunting operations.

"Only male white rhino above a certain age or horn size are hunted, according to a strict protocol," said chairperson Thomas Hancock.

The Kruger National Park said the rhino hunting packages were unethical.

"They tell us that the rhino bulls are old, and ask if they are expected to simply let them die under a tree. I say yes-let nature take its cause," said spokesperson Ike Phaahla.


- SAPA