SA accused of releasing unreliable wildlife statistics
STAFF WRITER Published: 2010/01/07 0639 AM


ANIMAL Rights Africa yesterday accused the government of routinely releasing unreliable information on wildlife that made it difficult to monitor conservation practices.



Statistics supplied on SA’s elephant and rhino populations varied so wildly that they were plainly not trustworthy, the nongovernmental organisation said in a 20-page report.



In July last year, the Department of Environmental Affairs said there were 45 elephants in captivity in SA. “This is approximately one-third of the real figure,” Animal Rights Africa said, and former environmental affairs minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk had consistently stated over a number of years that there were 120 elephants in captivity.



In June, the department told Parliament in writing that the Kruger National Park’s elephant population — a subject of considerable debate — totalled 17300.



This was at odds with “an authoritative” study by 60 scientists that put the park’s elephant population at 12427 at the end of 2006, the rights group said. “The figure of 17300 given to Parliament in June last year implies a 39% increase in under three years. SANParks are on record as saying they believe the elephant population is growing at the rate of 6% to 7% per annum.”



Animal Rights Africa said major anomalies on a much-watched species cast doubt on figures supplied on other animals.



“That such a serious mistake is made with one of the most intensely examined animal species in the country draws into question data supplied on lesser known species.”



Figures provided in recent years on the number of rhino in the country were equally contradictory and could have serious implications on the calculation of hunting quotas, Animal Rights Africa said.



The number of white rhino was alternately put at 7000 and 9000, while SANParks and the government disagreed on the number of rhino poached last year .



The national parks authority said in July last year 52 rhino had been poached, but six weeks later the Department of Environmental Affairs put the figure at 84 rhino.



Animal Rights Africa urged the government to set up an independent monitoring body to ensure relevant statistics were regularly updated and released. Sapa

What can one say?

We have a saying in Afrikaans: "'n Toe bek is 'n heel bek!" [Better keep quiet that shoot your mouth off and get into trouble!]

Another stirling example of the non-working of a terrorist organization turned into a 'government'!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Andrew McLaren

All things our beloved government is involved with over here is a balls-up! So this is nothing unique and quite possible. Rampant arrogance and incompetence in especially the public service is hurting this country badly ...

Guys dont believe a word that Animal rights Africa say, they are the most rabid anti hunting bunny hugging organisation in Africa and the guy that heads them up is a real nutter.

They are very anti culling in Kruger and are a real problem when it comes to anything to do with proper wildlife management, google them and you will see.

It astounding how short sighted (particularly) these antis are. By trying to stop the culling in the KNP, they're condemning every animal in the park to eventual death by starvation.

They need to think with their heads and not with their hearts....... If only these people would read things like this before they shoot their mouths off.

http://www.shakariconnection.c...lephants-in-knp.html

Kathi,
I would be useful if you could provide (when you have it), the link to the original published story in cases like this.

Makes it easier to comment on at the source.

Thanks.
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
........................................
They need to think with their heads and not with their hearts....... If only these people would read things like this before they shoot their mouths off.
..........................................

Steve, very seldom, if ever, have I seen you use an inappropriate word: But in the quote above the word "think" implies to ability to use some sort of logical reasoning. These anti-hunters are that simply because they totally lack any ability to use sound reasoning! They don't 'think'; neither with their hearts, nor with their heads! It is the lack of thinking ability that made them anti-hunting in the first palce!

Methinks [if I am able to use sound reasoning?] that procrastination of steps, like culling as the most logical method, to result in a drastic reduction in the number of elephants in the KNP is really playing with ecological fire and a very real and great threat to almost all species in our KNP.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

It doesn't really matter if the number 17300 or 15011 (the 2006 number adjusted for stated growth of 6 - 7%). It is still far too many.

Ecologists that have studied the situation get it. Apparently according to an article from a year ago in the Guardian Rob Little, conservation director at WWF in South Africa, gets it, but Michele Pickover of Animal Rights Africa does not. Since they feel and don't think they are blind to the number of animals that will die, including the elephants, if something isn't done now.

The "animal rights groups" are like the cat or dog lovers that keep adopting pets until the humane society comes and takes them all away because they have done more harm than good. The main difference is that most of them are thousands of miles away and have never even seen the damage that is being done and aren't considering the other animals effected. They have picked their favorite child and their other children can starve to death and they turn a blind eye.

Okay my blood pressure is up and I haven't even had my coffee yet.

Steve,

Go to www.wildlifeglobe.com Articles for Thursday January 7, 2010.

Wild Life Globe is a compilation of news from around the world concerning animals.

quote:

Another stirling example of the non-working of a terrorist organization turned into a 'government'!

TIA - This is Africa

Seloushunter

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
Steve,

Go to www.wildlifeglobe.com Articles for Thursday January 7, 2010. Wild Life Globe is a compilation of news from around the world concerning animals.

Thanks, Kathi.

Many of what are referred to as "antis", regardless of what country, do understand entirely the consequences but they actually consider it better for there to be no animals than for there to be hunting. That's where they're coming from.

They value an animal the same as a human, and it's not much.

The whole militant "vegetarian rights" movement is based on a reversal of common sense.

I call it that rather than "animal rights" because that's where they think they intend to take the world. They intend to take away all animal husbandry along with all consumptive use of the outdoors and cram vegetarianism down the world's throat. I don't know about S.A., but in the U.S. they also are found on the farthest political Left.

If you ever want to have a little fun with one, just say do you know what historical figure was the greatest vegetarian of them all.

Bahati, "our beloved government," not by me. The way things are here at the moment any half-smart jackass toodles off to a member of the ruling party, whispers crap in his ear, and presto we have new horsesh*t to contend with. Usually at someone's expense. Witness the TOPS Regulations.
It is a wonder that any form of statistics are put forward with most of the beggars being functionally illiterate. Phone the cops in an emergency, and it takes you fifteen minutes to explain your address five blocks from the station, and no-one comes anyway.