Controversy shrouding SANParks latest rhino auction

[Lisbeth]

Controversy shrouding SANParks latest rhino auction

Removal of a number of rhino from the Kruger National Park, is a SANParks strategy to create more breeding colonies

MBOMBELA – It is feared that one of SANParks’ rhino management efforts might have the opposite outcome as that of conservation of the species, since the animals are allegedly being sold to hunters.

The previous weekend it was reported by national media that 120 rhino had been sold at a massive discount of R 220 000 per head during an auction in May, which was almost half of the R 400 000 buyers paid per animal last year.

According to Netwerk24 one of the buyers was said to have been Mr Alexander Steyn, owner of Steyn Safaris in the Northern Cape.

Steyn’s name was mentioned during the trial of rhino farmer and owner, Mr Dawie Groenewald, in which he was accused as having been a middleman between Groenewald and Vietnamese guests.

Groenewald, a rhino farmer from the Musina area in Limpopo, is currently facing 1 736 charges ranging from money laundering to illegal hunting to trade in rhino horn.

Steyn has also been identified as the organiser of hunting trips of rhino for the Vietnamese in the book about rhino poaching, written by Julian Rademeyer – Killing for Profit.

The Head of Communication at SANParks, Mr Paul Daphne, would not confirm if Steyn was indeed one of the buyers. “I cannot confirm who the buyers are as it will compromise the safety of the animals. I also cannot confirm that no rhino have been sold to Steyn,” he said.

Both Alexander and his brother, Mr Marius Steyn, slammed their phones down when Lowvelder approached them for comment.

Rhino translocation from Kruger to private reserves was instituted in October 2013 to establish breeding colonies in other areas.

Daphne added, “We are only moving rhino to Africa range states and to private rhino farmers. We had representation from the Department of Treasury on the tender committee, as well as various other economic experts that investigated the destination of the planned relocation. The idea is definitely not to sell them to hunters per se.”