South Africa: Govt Releases Draft Plans to Protect Biodiversity


BuaNews (Tshwane)

May 2, 2006
Posted to the web May 2, 2006

Themba Gadebe


Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has released two draft documents for public comment, as part of plans to protect biodiversity in the country.

The Threatened and Protected Species Regulations and the National Norms and Standards for the Regulation of the Hunting Industry have been developed to control the breeding, trade, transport, and hunting of threatened and protected species in the country.

Briefing the media in Brits, North West, today, the Minister said one of the biggest obstacles to more effective conservation in the country was that there was no national system to regulate the management and sustainable use of protected species.

"This was one of the reasons we passed the Biodiversity Act in 1994 - to empower authorities, at all levels, to better protect our natural heritage," he said, adding, "Today we will use this legislation to address the need for better regulation of listed species."

The drafts are to be gazzetted on 5 May for public comment over the next six weeks.

"The greatest value of these documents is that they will establish, for the first time the uniform national systems that will apply the same standards across the country.

He explained that there were existing measures to manage threatened and protected species, plants and animals, in terms of provincial ordinances, but added that there were inconsistencies.

According to Mr Van Schalkwayk, these new drafts would ensure the country cleared up the current confusion and close the loopholes that had allowed "environmental thugs" to get away with immoral activities like canned hunting, illegal trade, and unethical breeding.

"No longer will 'province hopping' allow them to escape the law. No longer will there be any excuses for their abuse of our natural heritage and hunting will now be permitted only to hunters registered with recognised hunting bodies." he said.

These draft regulations are expected to ban the so-called "intensive breeding" of listed large predators like Cheetahs, Lions, Leopards and Wild Dogs, for any purposes of hunting or sale.

It also provides for the formal registration of all captive breeding facilities, nurseries, scientific institutions, sanctuaries, and rehabilitation facilities.

"Existing operations will have three months from the commencement of the regulations to apply for registration," the Minister said.

Any person who contravenes these regulations, or who falsifies their applications, will be liable for a fine and imprisonment of up to five years - penalties the Environmental Management Inspectors (the "Green Scorpions") will be instructed to apply with vigour.

The government is also establishing a Scientific Authority representing among others, the SANParks, the SA National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), natural history museums and the National Zoological Gardens to assist in regulating and restricting trade in specimens of protected species.

"In this way the monitoring and reporting on issues relating to the management of protected species will be much improved," the Minister said.

On hunting, he said this would now be permitted only by humane methods, in accordance with strict fair chase principles, by hunters registered with recognised hunting bodies, and in terms of carefully monitored and reviewed off-take limits at both national and provincial level.

There will be no hunting on private land that borders national or provincial protected areas where fences have been dropped, unless the landowner and the management authority allow this - and then personally approved by the MEC or the Minister.

The SANBI will also keep and maintain a National Hunting Register, detailing how many animals have been hunted, for what purpose, where, and by what method.

South Africa Plans To Crack Down On 'Canned Hunting' Of Wildlife

POSTED: 3:22 pm EDT May 2, 2006

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- South Africa proposed new laws Tuesday that would end the "canned hunting" of wildlife bred in captivity to be shot in closed reserves by wealthy tourists.

Breeding threatened or endangered large predators such as cheetahs, lions or leopards for any type of hunting would be forbidden. Also banned would be all hunting that causes unnecessary suffering, such as the use of bows and arrows on large animals that can take hours or days to die.

"The days of captive breeding of listed species for any purposes except science and conservation are over," Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said.

The new laws would "close the loopholes that have allowed environmental thugs to get away with immoral activities like canned hunting," he said.

South Africa is famous as the home of the so-called Big Five animals -- elephants, rhinoceroses, lions, wildebeest and leopards -- and its flagship Kruger National Park attracts hundreds of thousands of camera-toting visitors.

But in the shadow of the Kruger -- where all hunting is outlawed -- a plethora of smaller, unregulated parks have sprung up, aimed at visitors who carry rifles and hunger for the thrill of a hunting safari.

In 2004, an estimated 6,700 tourists killed nearly 54,000 animal "trophies," according to a report last year that recommended a ban on canned hunting. The report did not say how many of those hunts were "canned."

Hunting of all types is an integral part of South African life because of its traditional cultural importance and contributions to the economy. There was no immediate response to the proposed law from hunting associations, although mainstream groups have said they recognize a need for tighter controls.

The expert panel last year found horrific examples of abuse. It said some hunters were offered the chance to shoot large mammals, including rhinoceroses, with bows and arrows, condemning them to a long and painful death.

Van Schalkwyk said the new laws would stamp out practices that "have cast a shadow on our phenomenal conservation successes, and left a stain on our reputation as world leaders in protecting and promoting biodiversity."

South Africa has won international praise for its efforts to protect fragile ecosystems and conserve its rich abundance of wildlife and plants.

"Hunting will now be permitted only by humane methods, in accordance with strict fair chase principles, by hunters registered with recognized hunting bodies," said van Schalkwyk, who described himself as an avid hunter.

All hunting reserves would have to be registered under the new laws and authorities will document the number of animals killed. There would be fines or imprisonment of up to five years for any violation.

The global wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC said that in 2004, 190 lions were hunted by foreign tourists, who paid reserve owners an estimated $3.3 million -- or more than $17,000 per animal. Forty-five leopards worth an estimated $250,000 were slain.

The list of animals killed included baboons, giraffes, elephants, hippopotamuses, mongoose, porcupines, warthogs and zebras. Prices paid ranged from $25 for pigeons and quail to $25,000 for a white rhinoceros.

Breeders have used crossbreeding and genetic manipulation to make the potential trophies more appealing -- by producing large numbers of albino lions, for instance.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, one of the organizations campaigning for tougher controls, welcomed the draft regulations.

"Let's hope they go far enough to address unethical hunting practices and, in the words of the minister, rid this cancer from society," said Jason Bell-Leask, the organization's southern Africa director.

The proposed laws would allow a protected predator to be hunted after it is released into the wild and has fended for itself for at least two years.

Van Schalkwyk said there would be six weeks for public comment on the proposed legislation, which then would be forwarded to Parliament for approval. The regulations are considered likely to pass.

Also banned would be all hunting that causes unnecessary suffering, such as the use of bows and arrows on large animals that can take hours or days to die.



Could somebody tell me more about this?

I am also interested if this means an end to bowhunting in South Africa.

I understand this is still just a draft but it does specifically outlaw the use of bows and arrows as RAC notes. When would this go into effect?

I would seriously doubt a 'ban' on RSA bowhunting but most likely a formalised implementation of the moratorium on the bowhunting of pachyderms and other mega-herbivores etc. In other workds, now bowhunting of rhino, hippo, elephant.

Thats my take on it, i am sure there are other here who wil know more...

This is an extract of the DEAT proposal;

(2) All provincial hunting authorisations and national hunting permits authorising the hunting of a listed animal must, in addition to any other conditions the issuing authority may or must impose, be issued subject to the following conditions:
(a) The animal may not be hunted by means of –
(vi) a bow and arrow, except where specifically permitted by provincial legislation;
(vii) a firearm other than a rifle or a handgun specifically designed for hunting purposes;
(viii) spears;

So although there are some erroneous messages being put out by the media (surprise), Bowhunting is on the cards and will stay there.

quote:

Originally posted by 500nitro:
This is an extract of the DEAT proposal;

(2) All provincial hunting authorisations and national hunting permits authorising the hunting of a listed animal must, in addition to any other conditions the issuing authority may or must impose, be issued subject to the following conditions:
(a) The animal may not be hunted by means of –
(vi) a bow and arrow, except where specifically permitted by provincial legislation;
(vii) a firearm other than a rifle or a handgun specifically designed for hunting purposes;
(viii) spears;

So although there are some erroneous messages being put out by the media (surprise), Bowhunting is on the cards and will stay there.

Thank you very much for this response. I'm going to the Limpopo province in Aug with a group of 10 archers and this issue has really upset us.

I would think, Limpopo provincial legislation banning bowhunting does not seem likely.

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More Analysis on the Newly Issued Regulations for South Africa
SCI will continue to put out summaries of various parts of the South African PROPOSED rules on hunting. We invite your comments, and we will use your comments as we prepare SCI’s input to South Africa. The proposed rules are open for comment until June 19.


We have already had a lot of questions about BOWHUNTING. Here’s the actual text of the proposed rule on bowhunting: “All provincial hunting authorizations and national hunting permits authorizing the hunting of a listed animal must … be issued subject to the following conditions: (a) The animal may not be hunted by means of ,,, a bow and arrow, except where specifically permitted by provincial legislationâ€


Please note that the full text of the two proposed rules can be found on the SCI website, at www.safariclub.org.
Russian Spring Brown Bear Quotas Announced
The quotas for the spring brown bear season in Russia have been released. The list is attached but if you have trouble opening the attachment, you can find the full list at www.safariclub.org under Government / International. Please note that the Kamchatka Oblast refers to the southern region of the Kamchatka where bear hunting has been banned for years.

Thanks Kathi,

It's good news the final say on bowhunting will be by provincial legislation. I can't see the Limpopo province cutting those purse strings.

I spoke with a PH's wife this morning and was told the proposal would not be ratified into law for 2 or 3 yrs anyhow. Alot can happen in that time frame.

The study that this legislation is based on has been out for some time. When I first read it, I was shocked and horrified, as it proposes to ban the use of dogs, any darting (except by a vet), the closing of RSA Game Ranches (except those that are extensively rather than intensively managed-- however that can be measured), and a complete ban of bowhunting, just to name a few.

However, as has already been pointed out, the devil will be in the details when the legislation passes, and rules for Provincial implementation are adopted. One thing is for certain, there will be more red tape and more hassle in hunting RSA in the future. Just look at the impact of the changes in firearms rules, as well as Leopard permits. Being that you will now need the personal stamp of approval from some RSA official to be able to conduct the hunt, I'm certain that many games and schemes will be played. Just hold on to your wallet in the process.

I'm going to RSA in two weeks, and glad that I'll be back home before this legislation comes up for a vote, especially since I'll be bow hunting and darting a Rhino. Also, happy that I've already taken most of what I'd like to pursue in RSA -- Since DG is now becoming more of my focus. Just feel bad for the guy who hasn't been or is just beginning to get into Safari hunting.

Americans are funny folks -- things like this don't really shake up guys who have been on multiple African safaris. But, a first timer who was just looking into it, might just change his mind. Most folks who are teetering will be put off by vague regulations that they can't get a straight answer to.

There have been many comments, concerns and opinions expressed the past couple of days regarding the situation in South Africa and its new recommendations to amend the hunting laws there, particularly as they relate to bowhunting.

Today I spoke with Stewart Dorrington, probably the most informed person about this issue and who is also privy to the most current information. Not only is Stewart a bowhunter and the owner of Melorani Bowhunting Safaris, he is also the president of PHASA (Professional Hunters Association of South Africa) and was appointed to the government’s "Panel of Experts" who drafted the current recommendations. Today his words to me were, "What many people do not understand about the current situation with bowhunting in South Africa is that it is a prohibited activity which is allowed under special permits. The new proposed language is exactly the same. Bowhunters need not panic, as the new legislation will not likely affect legitimate, permitted facilities to continue bowhunting of plains game. There may be some changes on dangerous game, but it is too early to tell what those changes may be."

Stewart will be returning from a wildlife/hunting meeting in Cyprus to South Africa next week and will update me as details become available.

neil@bowhuntingsafari.com

Neil -- Everyone really hopes that you're right.

However, when I read the documents, the hunting practices targeted in this proposed legislation go far beyond just the hunting of plainsgame on ranches. DG, darting, use of dogs, and specific practices for managing game ranches to qualify for hunting are all on the voting block, just to name a few.

Also, although PHASA was represented on the "panel of experts" so were several Anti-hunting and environmentalist groups. The part that confuses me is if Stewart (who operates an RSA bowhunting operation) was so influential on the panel, then why did both the report and press releases call out bowhunting as an unethical and inhumane practice, and seek to eliminate the use of bow and arrow for "big game?"

Have discussed this at great length with SCI Worldwide Conservation Projects Officer, many members of PHASA, and others involved in the RSA hunting industry. There are all unsure of what the final impact will be, but are all certain that changes are coming, some of which will generate additional restrictions -- the impact of which are not yet known.

Look forward to Neil's updates, and really hope that both he and Stewart are correct -- and the new regulations really won't change anything material in RSA hunting / bowhunting. Time will tell, and the devil will be in the details.

Like the news of an impending tropical storm -- not much we can do except evacuate or hope that it loses some steam before it hits us. Wish there was more we could do individually, but its purely an African issue.