Counter Poaching Efforts

[Toko]

SA, Vietnam expected to sign rhino poaching MOU

Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System
Date: 22 Nov 2012
SA, Vietnam expected to sign rhino poaching MOU

Cape Town - The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to address rhino poaching with Vietnam next month when she visits that country.

Molewa said she would visit Vietnam after 9 December on her way home after a climate change meeting in Qatar and sign the document then.

She was speaking in Cape Town at the launch of the department's National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report 2011/12.

Some of the most prevalent crimes reported included the illegal hunting of rhino, unlawful waste disposal, unlawful cutting and collecting of wood, and driving in a coastal area without a permit.

Molewa said a total of 570 rhinos were illegally hunted in South Africa in 2011. Hunted for their horns, 254 rhino were killed in the Kruger National Park, 34 were slaughtered in Limpopo, 34 in KwaZulu-Natal and 31 in Mpumalanga.

Law enforcement agencies arrested 232 suspects last year. This year, charges of illegal rhino hunting, dealing and being in possession of rhino horn have secured convictions in court.

"The first few cases which resulted in this outcome were important, both from the perspective of providing a precedent to other courts, but also to send out a strong message that imprisonment is the most likely consequence if you are caught engaging in such illegal activities," she said.

Molewa ruled out suggestions that government would put up an electric fence on the border between South Africa and Mozambique to keep poachers out, adding that the people arrested for poaching were from countries such as Vietnam.

Despite rhino poaching, there were still many rhinos left in South Africa, said the minister, adding that the last figure she had was 20 000.

Reviewing the performance of the Green Scorpions, Molewa said in 2011/12, a total of 1 339 arrests were affected compared with 1 899 arrested the previous year

Convictions obtained nationally were up from 72 to 82. Acquittals dropped from 22 to seven, while a total of 759 admissions of guilt fines were paid, bringing in R470 080.

Income from section 24 G administrative fines doubled from R8.3 million to R17.6 million. These fines were paid as a result of illegal commencement of Environment Impact Assessment and waste management activities.

On abalone poaching, she said government had been concerned when the moratorium on harvesting was lifted a few years ago that there could be an increase in poaching.

"We are focusing on the possible depletion of our marine resources. It's quite a concern and is an area that we have to focus on."

Molewa said there was a need for her department and the Department of Water Affairs to work closer together to thwart abalone poachers.

She said that abalone poaching could be linked to rhino poaching. - SAnews.gov.za

[Richprins]

Some of the most prevalent crimes reported included the illegal hunting of rhino, unlawful waste disposal, unlawful cutting and collecting of wood, and driving in a coastal area without a permit.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs
Incumbent
Edna Molewa
since 31 October 2010
Appointer Jacob Zuma
as President of South Africa
Salary R1,811,142
Website http://www.info.gov.za/leaders/ministers/water.htm

The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs is the member of the Cabinet of South Africa with responsibility for the Department of Water Affairs and the Department of Environmental Affairs.



The portfolios have changed...but she was there at the start!

Her biggest problem is actually the acid mining water catastrophe threatening Gauteng...on her watch originally.

[H. erectus]

Had the pleasure of waving at dear Ms Sonjica when
passing my stoep, in a bus filled with dignatories!!

Since, well

[Richprins]

Molewa ruled out suggestions that government would put up an electric fence on the border between South Africa and Mozambique to keep poachers out, adding that the people arrested for poaching were from countries such as Vietnam.


Dr David Mabunda, SANParks CEO, noted the number of arrests had increased but poaching had not decreased. It was complicated and difficult to fight the scourge given the long border shared with other countries. One of the challenges was the gangs of poachers living in Mozambiquan villages with up to 100% unemployment, along the Limpopo border. SA could not go into Mozambique and do anything about this. He explained the situation was very complex but they were relying on the buffer zone agreement.

(And they were at the same meeting! )

[Toko]

SANParks gets 30 new armed field rangers

27/11/2012 | Press release
Media Release: SANParks gets 30 new armed field rangers

South African National Parks (SANParks) has 30 new Armed Field Rangers after a passing-out parade held on Friday 23 November 2012 at Weltrac Training Centre situated in the Welgevonden Game Reserve. The 30 graduates are part of SANParks' Environmental Monitors from Kgalagadi, Mokala, Addo Elephant and Kruger National Parks. They completed a six week Armed Ranger course which is part of the Expanded Public Works Programme.
Antionet van Wyk, SANParks General Manager: Infrastructure & Special Projects, Parks Division said "the main reason for training the Field Rangers is to complement the parks existing staff for area integrity management in various national parks. They will be a support to conservation staff and perform duties that will enable SANParks field rangers to attend to critical functions such as law enforcement." The programme which started in 2011 creates jobs for unemployed people from communities bordering national parks whilst SANParks is gaining additional capacity to assist with vital conservation activities within these parks.
The keynote address was given by Johan Kruger, Technical Manager Kgalagadi National Park. He said "we are very proud of our new graduates and their eagerness to build on their skills portfolio. We encourage them to be the change that they want to see in our country's heritage, the National Parks."
The rangers in Kgalagadi National Park will be guarding the Biodiversity Social Project teams from dangerous animals. They will further assist in guarding tourists at the bush camps from dangerous animals. In Mokala National Park eight of the rangers will be deployed by the Park to assist the existing Field Ranger corps in their day to day patrolling responsibilities. This includes Rhino monitoring posts. The other four will be used to guard Biodiversity Social Project teams from dangerous animals.
The KNP rangers of which 4 are female will be deployed under Scientific Services to assist with monitoring activities related to vegetation and animals. They will also be used as field guards to protect scientists, on their excursions, from dangerous animals. Finally in Addo Elephant National Park the rangers will be used to guard Biodiversity Social Project teams and assist in manning Rhino observation posts.
"The passing-out of these 30 Armed Field Rangers will step up the crime fighting ability against poachers and give invaluable support to the men and women working on the ground," said Van Wyk.

Issued by:
SANParks
For enquiries:
Gabrielle Venter
SANParks, Manager: Media and Stakeholder Relations.
Tel: 012 462 5065, Cell: 083 825 9435
Email: gabrielle.venter@sanparks.org

[Toko]

Why, Oh Why Should Rhinos Die??!! Take 1

Underberg Primary School Choir is singing their own composed anthem to the RHINO, following the recent alarming spate of Rhino poaching in KwaZulu Natal. After discussions with me, their music teacher, the children sugggested the words and the catch-phrases, and I worked them into a singable song. Caroline Barrow
The words are as follows:
They say for everthing there is a season, The ring of life revolves as time goes by
But rhino are dying for NO NATURAL reason:It makes us hang our heads in shame and cry.
Protecting our rhino is our duty- we can't aford to stand idly by
Gotta stop their horn becoming Eastern muthi - Why, oh why should rhino die?!
It's because of man's greed and because of man's vanity!
Come on now, Asia, STOP THIS INSANITY!!
Why, oh why shoulc rhinos die?
Our wildlife is the pride of our nation; COME ON NOW, STOP THIS EXPLOITATION!!
Why, oh why should rhinos die?! Why, oh why should rhinos die?!
They can't survive without us intervening: they WON'T survive if we turn a blind eye!
Does the sanctity of life have no meaning? Why, oh why should rhinos die?!

[Flutterby]

[Richprins]

[Toko]

KZN gets cash boost to fight rhino poaching

KZN gets cash boost to fight rhino poaching
Friday 30 November 2012 06:01
SABC

The Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has been allocated over R47 million for the next two years to fight against rhino poaching in the province.

Head of Environmental Affairs Department Simiso Magagula addressed the media before Finance MEC Ina Cronje presented the adjustments budget speech in the legislature in Pietermaritzburg.

The entity has got over R28 million this financial year and will receive over R19 million for the 2013/2014 financial year.

Magagula says: “We are affording the KZN wildlife an opportunity to buy equipment needed from night vision equipment to helicopters so that they can really cover a wide area. It’s really all the equipment to help combat this evil that we are facing.”

This will help purchase the necessary anti-poaching equipment, added Magagula.

South Africa has lost 588 rhino to poaching in 2012 so far. This is 140 more rhino than the 448 that were poached in 2011, while 224 poachers were arrested last year and 165 the year before.

According to the latest figures, 39 rhino had been killed since the middle of November. The Kruger National Park had been the hardest hit with 362 rhino lost to poaching.
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Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife receives R28.137 million in 2012/13 and R19.003 million in 2013/14 for the fight against rhino poaching in KZN. This is termed the Rhino Security Intervention plan and also provides for stipends for rhino community ambassadors.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Ms Ina Cronjé on 2012/13 budget adjustments estimate

[Mel]

Seen in KTP.