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PROGRESS REPORT RHINO POACHING

PROGRESS REPORT RHINO POACHING. Portfolio Committee Meeting 20 March 2013. OUTLINE. Poaching statistics, Arrests, Rhino related cases (Ms R Masela) Response to threat (Ms R Masela) DNA Sampling in Hong Kong (Ms R Masela)

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PROGRESS REPORT RHINO POACHING

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  1. PROGRESS REPORTRHINO POACHING Portfolio Committee Meeting 20 March 2013

  2. OUTLINE Poaching statistics, Arrests, Rhino related cases (Ms R Masela) Response to threat(Ms R Masela) DNA Sampling in Hong Kong (Ms R Masela) Strategic objectives of the National Wildlife Information Management Unit (Ms R Masela) Legislative amendments – NEMLA (Ms Thea Carroll) Impact of legislative amendments (Ms Thea Carroll) Stockpile management (Fundisile Mketeni) Conservation management interventions

  3. POACHING STATISTICS

  4. ARRESTS (2010 – 2013)

  5. Total cases on the roll 82 • Charges include possession, dealing, illegal hunting, illegal possession of fire-arm / ammunition and trespassing • Current conviction rate: 75.9% • 26 Foreign nationals sentenced (Total accused convicted: 63) RHINO RELATED CASE MANAGEMENT

  6. RESPONSE TO THREAT • Continued implementation of The National Strategy for the Safety and Security of Rhinoceros Populations in South Africa • Review of National Strategy for Safety and Security of Rhinoceros Populations in South Africa to address emerging issues • Continued bilateral engagements with neighbouring, transit & consumer states • Permanent and consistent representation within the NATJOINTS to interface with all relevant national programmes and special projects • Inclusion of monitoring / patrolling on private land in Rural Safety Plan

  7. RESPONSE TO THREAT • Establishment of a detector dog unit within DEA in collaboration with National Border Management Coordination Centre • MoUs to be initiated with law enforcement agencies, and customs to facilitate sharing of information • MoU with Vietnam signed in December 2012 – implementation plan prepared • MoU with Thailand to be initiated in first quarter of 2013/2014 • MoU on biodiversity specific matters with China to be finalised • MoU with Kenya to be finalised • Engagements with Mozambique and Zimbabwe relating to TFCA • Bilateral with Mozambique

  8. DNA SAMPLING IN HONG KONG • A visit in August 2012 lead by DG-DEA, confirmed willingness from the HONG KONG authorities to allow DNA sampling and to subsequently release the horns back to SA for further processing . • A commitment was made to the HONG KONG authorities, that a follow up visit by the technical team would follow for this purpose once the MLA related issues are resolved. • Awaiting confirmation of dates to collect samples

  9. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF UNIT • Establishment of the National Wildlife Information Management Unit; • To support the Law Enforcement Agencies on collection, investigation and analysis of information to enhance case management and increase convictions; • Implement and review the National Strategy on the Safety and Security of the Rhinoceros population in South Africa;

  10. LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS – NEMLA Adopted by National Assembly – submitted to NCOP Public hearings in provinces through NCOP (Select Committee) Amendments include: Refusal, deferring and cancellation of permits – persons under investigation Compulsory registration of Professional Hunters, Outfitters and Trainers Transit provisions – documentation required Amnesty to facilitate compliance

  11. IMPACT: LEGISLATIVE INTERVENTIONS (N&S) AMENDED NORMS AND STANDARDS Hunting by Vietnamese citizens suspended awaiting finalisation of inspections: February 2012 Amended N&S came into effect: April 2012 Applications to hunt white rhino received per annum: Russian Federation (2012: 11; 2013: 4); Czech Republic (2012: 7; 2013: 5); USA (2012: 19; 2013: 2)

  12. IMPACT: OF LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS RESTRICTIONS ON LIVE EXPORTSTO APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPTABLE DESTINATIONS July 2011 – MINMEC approved restrictions relating to appropriate and acceptable destinations for live export of rhinoceros. 101 live rhino exported to Asia from 2007 – 2011 Live rhino exports endorsed at OR Tambo from 2007 – 2012: 223 White rhino exported to various countries (105 to China)

  13. STOCKPILE VERIFICATION

  14. Secure electronic stockpile register system developed Provincial conservation authorities’ representatives trained: 7 February 2013 Final amendments based on requests from provincial representatives: March 2013 Access provided to trained officials – information to be captured by provincial conservation authorities Establish satellite offices where there is no capacity STOCKPILE VERIFICATION

  15. STOCKPILE VERIFICATION cont.. Areasof uncertainty: When to announce Amnesty (before NCOP consideration of amendments?) Amnesty period Keeping verified stock and liability Capacity to keep the stockpile Budget Constraints

  16. CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS • Black rhinoceros Biodiversity Management Plan to published in the Government Gazette No 36096 for implementation • White rhino BMP framework developed • Establishment of a Rhino Sanctuary • THANK YOU

  17. THANK YOU

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