Rhino Numbers and Census

[Richprins]

[Richprins]

White rhino population may bounce back next year

38 seconds ago
Mariana Balt

SKUKUZA – The 2017 rhino census will probably show a decline in the white-rhino population of the Kruger National Park (KNP), suggested Dr Sam Ferreira, large-mammal ecologist, this week. However, in two years’ time an above-average birth rate could lead to an increase in this species’ numbers.
Ferreira was addressing a group of journalists on a media tour to the KNP about the methods the park uses for its annual rhino census.
“White rhinos feed on grass and are very susceptible to drought circumstances,” he explained. “Not only did more of them die during the drought, but cows’ ability to conceive was negatively affected.”
Those cows that did not conceive last year could, however, join those ready for conception for the first time this year. More cows impregnated can lead to an increase in births in the following year. A rhino’s gestation period is 16 months.
Preliminary results of the current census seem to support this, he said. The census was completed in September and results will be released early next year.
Only one of the two black-rhino species in the park shows an increase in numbers. Ferreira explained that they were not as affected by the drought because they feed on leaves and not grass, but circumstances like drought are one of a number of factors that can influence census results.
He explained that the census makes use of block counts. The park is divided into blocks, and 480 to 490 blocks are chosen at random to be surveyed. It was proven that optimal results are achieved if 40 per cent of the total blocks are surveyed. Aircraft fly over the blocks repeatedly in flight lines, with a 200-metre counting space. It takes about three weeks of six hours per day to complete the counting.
Several factors can, however, cause errors. Vegetation cover will differ between dry and green years, and white rhinos prefer grassy veld while black rhinos may hide in more dense veld. Accurate counting also depends on the individual observer, sample errors and a detectability bias.
It is estimated that there currently are 7 235 white rhinos and 406 black rhinos (2016 census) in the park.
KNP management agree that, although fewer rhino carcasses were found this year, poaching activities have increased.
About 120 arrests have been made so far this year, but Glenn Phillips, managing executive of the KNP, estimates that it cost the park about R270 million.


https://lowvelder.co.za/415573/white-rh ... next-year/

[Richprins]

KNP management agree that, although fewer rhino carcasses were found this year, poaching activities have increased.
About 120 arrests have been made so far this year, but Glenn Phillips, managing executive of the KNP, estimates that it cost the park about R270 million.

To translate: "There are far fewer rhino now, not really the drought theory, but rampant poaching that has overcome the tipping point between births and deaths. Anyway, SANParks wants to introduce the added multimillion rand enforced antipoaching levy for tourists regardless."

[RogerFraser]

Lisbeth

[Lisbeth]

22.09.2018 - Christina Pitt



The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) recently welcomed the arrest of seven suspects linked to an intelligence-based rhino horn trafficking syndicate in Mpumalanga.

Earlier this year, the DEA reported back on the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros, which places an emphasis on the government's anti-poaching efforts.

These efforts are supported by the departments of defence, correctional services, the Hawks, the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority.

Here are 10 things you should know about rhino poaching in South Africa:

400 – The number of suspects charged with various related crimes, including rhino poaching, since January 2018.

145 – The number of weapons seized in rhino-related incidents both inside and outside the Kruger National Park since January 2018. A total of 83 rhino horns were confiscated in the same period.

60.92kg – The weight of the rhino horn confiscated and linked to poaching incidents in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape.

530 – The number of poaching-related cases on the court roll involving 750 accused and 1 738 charges.

R200 000 – The donation received from the Chinese embassy and the Chinese community in South Africa for the fight against wildlife crime.

2 000 – The number of officials trained on matters pertaining to the illegal trade in wildlife at the country's ports of entry and exit from 2017.

28 – The total number of permits issued for the trade of rhinoceros horns, since the Constitutional Court lifted the moratorium on the domestic trade of rhino horn.

11 – The number community rhino hotspots identified and monitored by SANParks.

501 – The number of rhino poached between January 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018.

361 – The number of live rhino translocated to Botswana, Chad, Namibia, Rwanda and Zambia with the intention of establishing new rhino populations within the continent.

[Richprins]

Most important one is missing - number of convictions.

[Lisbeth]

The convictions are always difficult to follow, because too much time passes from the arrest to the trial and then again to the conviction

It should have been there anyway

[Lisbeth]

Has rhino poaching decreased, or are we running out of rhinos?

BY JANINE AVERY - 1 OCTOBER 2018 - IOl


South Africa is home to the densest population of rhinos in the world and saw a 9 000% increase in rhino poaching from 2007 to 2014. Picture: Amiee White Beazley/The Washington Post

A strategic report on poaching just released by the Department of Environmental Affairs shows that fewer rhinos but more elephants are being killed. Of concern, however, is what it leaves out.

Until August this year, 506 rhinos were poached in South Africa, 333 in the Kruger National Park. That’s 185 fewer than the same period last year. At the same time poaching incursions into KNP increased from 1 702 last year to 1 873 this year.

Taken together – higher incursions and fewer kills – it’s bad news, meaning there are fewer and fewer rhinos left to hunt. And as rhino kills decline, elephant poaching has increased, with 58 shot this year.

‘If we look at the bigger picture,’ said wildlife filmmaker Bonné de Bod, while the government lauds the success of fewer rhino poaching incidents, the rhino population numbers, specifically white rhinos, have seen an alarming decline. There are just fewer rhinos left in the park to poach.’

IFP Chief Whip in Parliament, Narend Singh MP, agrees. ‘Although the report shows a decrease in the poaching of rhino’s in South Africa, the IFP maintain that even one rhino killed for its horn in South Africa is one too many. More must be done by government, especially in our SAPS, NPA and judiciary.

According to the DEA report, 400 rhino poaching suspects were arrested in 2018, of which 162 were in Kruger Park. In addition, five Chinese and eight South African wildlife traffickers were arrested by the Hawks.

However, arrests are not translating into court appearances. Only 70 cases, involving 163 accused, have gone to court. There are also still 530 rhino poaching-related cases still on court rolls, which involve over 750 accused on more than 1,700 charges. And despite 300 of these cases being trial ready only a handful appear to have set court dates.

‘Far too often we are seeing cases being bungled by poorly executed SAPS arrests and untrained prosecutors,’ says Singh. ‘There is the ever-present spectre of corruption and then, when there is a conviction, the sentence handed down is simply far too lenient.’

‘We have major concerns regarding the consistency of the courts and the legal system,’ says Ross Purdon of the Democratic Alliance. ‘We’re aware of lenient sentencing from the Skukuza court and the granting of bail to repeat offenders. The early release of the Thai kingpin of illegal rhino poaching and horn trade, Chumlong Lemtongthai, is an absolute disgrace.’

Some of the arrests show that poachers are sometimes getting ‘inside’ help. Since January, four Kruger officials have been arrested by SANParks enforcement staff for poaching-related offences. These include members of the SAPS and the SA National Defense Force.

The report also mentions that a total of 538 live rhino were exported from South Africa since 2014, with 177 going to locations in North America, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. However, there is no mention of the current welfare of these rhinos, which remains a concern.

‘The export of our rhino to Asia cannot be seen to be a long-term sustainability initiative,’ says Kim Da Ribeira of the group Outraged SA Citizens Against Rhino Poaching. ‘The scientific authority does not monitor the welfare of these rhinos once they have left our borders. Until they do, there should be no live export.’

According to the report, following the lifting of the moratorium on the domestic trade in rhino horn, 28 permits have been issued for the sale of 1,219 rhino horns.

According to the Environmental Wildlife Trust, this presents opportunities for laundering illegal horn through legal trade channels. Responding to the report, it said: ‘there is a concern that it’s not possible to keep track of all legally supplied rhino horn and to distinguish it from illegal horn due to capacity constraints, resource shortages and corrupt practices.

‘As rhino horn is mostly a consumed product traceability once acquired by a consumer is even more challenging than may be the case for ivory or other wildlife products.’

Read original article: https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/has- ... s-17288261

[Richprins]

Yup.

That is why they are not doing comprehensive aerial censuses.

[Flutterby]