Rhino Poaching Count
Final statistics were released for 2014, last week, and the official number of rhinos poached in SA last year is 1 215. 386 people were arrested in rhino related crimes during the year.
For 2015 - So far we are on 49 rhinos down for this year, with 17 arrests having been made.
DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS UPDATE
The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, reported back on progress with regards to the integrated strategic management of rhinoceros in South Africa at a media briefing on Thursday, 22 January 2015.
Cabinet approved the integrated strategic management on 6 August 2014.
Key aspects of the integrated strategic management of rhinoceros include:
• managing rhino populations
• compulsory interventions
• international and national collaboration and cooperation
• long-term sustainability measures
Cabinet approved the integrated strategic management on 6 August 2014.
Key aspects of the integrated strategic management of rhinoceros include:
• managing rhino populations
• compulsory interventions
• international and national collaboration and cooperation
• long-term sustainability measures
The Minister said significant progress has been made with regards to the implementation of the interventions. These included the translocations, rhino sales, proactive anti poaching initiatives, the sue of forensic technology, ports of entry and exit, arrests, investigations and prosecutions, collaboration with Interpol, national and regional collaborations and long term sustainability measures.
The Minister will be delivering the keynote address at the ‘Beyond Enforcement’ symposium in February, which is being convened to examine the role of community-based interventions in combatting the illegal trade of wildlife.
“We as the Department of Environmental Affairs remain confident that the integrated strategic management of rhinoceros plan is bearing fruit. However, in the light of increased poaching numbers, it is clear that existing interventions need to be strengthened,” said Minister Molewa.
Source: Department of Environmental Affiars South Africa