Rhino poaching: less slaughtered in 2015 than in 2014

CAPE TOWN – A total of 1 175 were poached last year, compared to 1 215 in 2014. Of these 1 175, 826 rhinos were slaughtered in the Kruger National Park (KNP).

Environmental affairs minister Ms Edna Molewa released these figures in parliament earlier today.

Last year 317 suspects were arrested for alleged rhino poaching related offences. Of this, 202 were arrested in the Kruger and 115 in the area adjacent to the park. The number of arrests in 2014 stood at 258. A total of 125 firearms were seized inside Kruger last year and 63 just outside the park – a total of 188 compared to the 148 of the previous year.

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“Taking into account the above interventions, in conjunction with other aspects of the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros under implementation, I am today pleased to announce that for the first time in a decade – the poaching situation has stabilized,” Molewa said.

“Considering that this is despite escalating poaching pressure, and in the face of an increased and relentless rise of poaching activity into protected areas – this is very very good news, and offers great cause for optimism.”

Molewa also announced that by the end of last year, all rhino poaching crime scenes in Kruger, have been attended to in accordance with standard protocols. “If one considers the serious backlog we faced in 2014 and 2015, this is a remarkable achievement,” she boasted.

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Yesterday, the state’s application for leave to appeal against the judgement according to which the national moratorium on trade in rhino horn was lifted in November last year, was dismissed. “My legal team is not yet privy to the reason for the decision, but I have decided to apply for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

“My application, once lodged, will result in the suspension of the operation and execution of the court’s decision to review and set aside the moratorium. I will not be commenting any further on this application, but it must be emphasised that this matter does not have an impact on the international trade in rhino horn for commercial purposes.

“Commercial international trade in rhino horn is still prohibited in terms of the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),” Molewa said.

“Let us make 2016 the year in which we can declare that are not only close to winning the war against poachers, but that we have all stood up done our part.”

Click here to read Molewa’s entire speech