Posted on 17 January
2014 | The South African government today
revealed that a record 1004 rhinos were
killed by poachers during 2013 across the
country, the equivalent of nearly three
animals a day. World famous safari destination
Kruger National Park continues to be the
hardest hit with 606 rhino deaths.
“These criminal networks
are threatening our national security and
damaging our economy by frightening away
tourists,” said Dr Jo Shaw, Rhino Programme
Manager for WWF-South Africa. “Rhino poaching
and rhino horn trafficking are not simply
environmental issues, they represent threats
to the very fabric of our society.”
The annual poaching
figure is a sharp increase from the 668
rhinos lost in 2012, and brings South Africa’s
rhino populations closer to a critical tipping
point when deaths will begin to outnumber
births driving the animals into a dangerous
decline. The country is home to about 80
per cent of Africa’s rhinos, 37 of which
have already been killed in the first weeks
of 2014.
Rhino horns are smuggled
by organized international criminal syndicates
to Asia, principally Viet Nam, where they
are primarily used as a status symbol and
purported health tonic.
In late December 2012,
South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with Viet Nam on tackling wildlife trafficking
and the two nations later developed a joint
rhino action plan. South Africa has since
signed a similar agreement with China, and
is developing others with Thailand, Laos,
Cambodia and Hong Kong.
“The bottom line is
South Africa’s rhinos are up against the
wall, facing a genuine crisis and agreements
like these have to translate into meaningful
action on the ground,” Shaw said.
Later this month Viet
Nam must report on its progress in making
seizures, arrests, prosecutions and convictions
related to rhino horn trafficking. The country
has also been instructed to develop and
implement measures to reduce consumer demand
for rhino horn.
Similarly, Mozambique,
a top transit point for horn exiting Africa,
must show the enactment and implementation
of legislation with deterrent penalties
to combat wildlife crime and stop the killing
of rhinos and trafficking of their horns.
There are also a number
of steps South Africa needs to take to make
a tangible difference, said Shaw.
“It would be encouraging
to see more significant arrests higher up
the trade chain, and to see current arrests
resulting in convictions with strong sentences
which will effectively deter this criminal
activity. More significant action to root
out corruption would also be welcome,” she
said.
Next month world leaders
will meet in London for a conference on
wildlife crime convened by UK Prime Minister
David Cameron, and attended by Princes Charles
and William. Heads of state and foreign
ministers from around 50 countries are expected
to attend. The conference aims to produce
a declaration of political commitment to
ensure a coordinated global response to
illegal wildlife trade through improving
law enforcement and the role of the criminal
justice system; reducing demand for illegal
wildlife products; and supporting the development
of sustainable alternative livelihoods.
