Cabinet announced on April 21 that it had approved the recommendations made by the Committee of Inquiry on the feasibility of trading in rhino horns that the current mode of keeping the country’s stock levels be kept, as opposed to the trading in rhino horns.
The country’s strategic approach entails security, community empowerment, biological management, responsive legislative provisions that are effectively implemented and enforced, and demand management.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), based in Modderfontein, has stated that it fully supports the position of Cabinet and commends the Department of Environmental Affairs, and in particular the Honourable Minister Edna Molewa, for having the foresight to convene a panel of experts to deliberate in depth on the complex and controversial issue of rhino horn trade.
In principle, the EWT supports the sustainable utilisation of wildlife.
However, in this instance, the systems required to manage rhino horn trade are not well understood, leading to untenable risks.
The EWT has been actively involved in efforts to curb rhino poaching since April 2010.
Its approach is cross-cutting and aligns with national priorities.
Examples of some of the recent efforts include engaging with communities on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park, providing support for field rangers in provincial and private reserves, improved enforcement through the use of sniffer dogs along key points in the regional trade chain, demand reduction campaigns in Vietnam and training of a variety of role-players to bolster enforcement efforts.
The EWT also stated that it is committed to supporting the Government of South Africa in addressing the threats to one of the country’s most majestic large mammals.
According to the EWT, there is no room for complacency in the midst of an ever-worsening crisis, and strongly recommended the amplification of efforts to increase the impact of South Africa’s national strategic priorities to address rhino poaching.
