SA 'promotes rhino killing'
2009-09-01 07:37
Bloemfontein - There is a way of thinking within South African environmental authorities that promotes the killing of rhinos rather than protecting and respecting them, Animal Rights Africa said on Monday.
This is according to a report by Animal Rights Africa (ARA), which has been involved in a war of words with SANParks over the management of rhinos in South Africa over the last couple of months.
"Whether, SANParks likes it or not, the public have a right to be concerned, to express this concern and to expect transparency and accountability from government agencies," said ARA spokesperson Michele Pickover.
ARA said that despite SANParks "angry kneejerk response" there was little doubt that there was national and international concern about the current protection and management of the animals in South Africa.
Pickover said by allowing SANParks to use "sustainable use" to trump issues of conservation, government conservation agencies seem to be interpreting their mandate as custodians in a way that was debatable.
She said the ARA report "Under Siege: Rhinoceroses in South Africa", which also collated information relating to the hunting, trade and poaching of rhinos, revealed a worrying trend.
'Under siege'
The report shows enormous suffering by animals, a lack of centralised statistics and data, an uncoordinated response from authorities, insufficient enforcement and resources to adequately protect the rhino population, and "a general way of thinking that promotes killing instead of protection and respect".
The report says it was now "abundantly clear" that not only were rhinoceroses in South Africa facing one of the worst threats ever as a species but that they were under siege.
It further states that South Africa has become the conduit of most of the rhinoceros horns leaving the African continent. The report suggests an end to all rhino hunting in South Africa because it had been proven to be as great a problem as poaching.
It further suggests re-examining the entire Cites report procedure because it was clear that limited and inaccurate information was submitted, and to open the government policy of "sustainable use" and trophy hunting to public debate.
ARA also wants South Africa to impose an immediate moratorium on all capture, sale, translocation and hunting of rhinos in South Africa.

33 rhinos poached this year
2009-09-02 12:52


Pretoria - Six more suspected rhino poachers have been arrested at the Kruger National Park, SA National Parks (SANParks) said on Wednesday.

"It is with sadness that we announce that since our announcement at the end of July we have lost seven white rhino to poachers. However, the greatest news to come out of these despicable activities is that SANParks has since apprehended another six suspected rhino poachers and the recovery of five illegal firearms," said David Mabunda, chief executive of SANParks.

In July this year SANParks announced that it had lost 26 white rhino and one black rhino to poaching and an added 10.3kg of rhino horn through a violent robbery in the Addo Elephant National Park.

14 suspects arrested

The latest arrests bring the number of arrested suspects to 14, with 11 illegal firearms confiscated.

Mabunda said that of the 33 rhinos poached this year, 28 of them were illegally killed along the eastern boundary with Mozambique and all the 14 suspects arrested were of Mozambican origin.

"We intend to increase our efforts even more in ensuring that this scourge is rooted out. Discussions have been started with Mozambican authorities to solicit their assistance in apprehending suspects and preventing illegal activities from proliferating on their side of the fence."

SANParks has pledged R5.2m from its Park Development Fund which aimed at improving anti-poaching interventions in the Kruger National Park.

The funds were being used for increasing the number of field rangers by 57 as well as buying more vehicles.



- SAPA

quote:

SA 'promotes rhino killing'

And I hope that they continue to do so.