No decision on legalising rhino horn trade

SYDNEY – The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, participated in a World Leaders’ Dialogue entitled:  The nature, extent and impact of illegal wildlife trade on Monday.

This is part of the 6th International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Parks Congress in Sydney Australia.

Illicit wildlife trade is one of the most lucrative syndicated crimes worldwide and has been recognized as contributing to the extinction of species, disrupting critical ecosystem functions, undermining sustainable economic development and threatening communities, livelihoods and human health.

The World Leaders’ Dialogue investigated and explored the causes and effects of illegal wildlife trade, and new approaches and investments to combat it. It will explore how the issue extends far beyond wildlife crime to include trade in forest, agricultural and fishing products, fuel and many more examples.

Minister Molewa’s participation included exploring the issue of rhino poaching in South Africa, the need to develop and implement integrated plan of action that will include community partnerships and collaboration across all spheres of government, nationally and internationally.

During her presentation Ms Molewa confirmed that South Africa have not decided to legalise trading in rhino horn, although it is on the agenda.

“We are not looking for money.  We are looking at war.  This is a war that we must win.”  She also added:  “We are concerned that poaching is part of a multi-billion dollar worldwide illicit wildlife trade.  Addressing the scourge is not simple.”

Outlining the interventions by the South African government and its conservation bodies to combat rhino poaching, the Minister highlighted the pro-active steps that her government has been taking like:

– The establishing of intensive protection zones;

– Translocation of rhino to safe havens within rhino range states;

– Using of digital technology like micro chipping and early detection of a potential poaching hot spot via satellite coverage and drones.

– Trading in rhino horn is still under discussion in South Africa and it might as well become one of the interventions taken by the government.

The Namibian government recently announced a campaign to dehorn all of its 2000 strong crash of black rhino and that the process will be completed early in 2015.

Environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda told AFP:  “The dehorning process was initiated to discourage poachers.”

Recent media reports from Namibia point to plans by the Namibian government to sell the horns commercially, a move that still needs the approval of international wildlife institutions, and to fund the ministry’s Wildlife Trust to help conservancies all over Namibia to strengthen their security.

Environment minister Uahekua Herunga recently encouraged Namibians to “be a police officer, to be a soldier against poaching in this country.”

Namibia has 79 conservation areas covering more than 100,000 square kilometres and inhabited by some 300,000 people.