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Tutu (21. Dezember 2021, 21:52), Marc (10. Dezember 2021, 11:59), toetske (9. Dezember 2021, 22:37), Bär (9. Dezember 2021, 22:30), sunny_r (9. Dezember 2021, 20:19), Phil_ (9. Dezember 2021, 19:13), corsa1968 (9. Dezember 2021, 17:05), parabuthus (9. Dezember 2021, 16:53), Sella (9. Dezember 2021, 15:54)
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Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the massacred Inverdoorn rhinos.
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A total of 451 rhino were poached in South Africa in 2021, 327 within government reserves and 124 on private property. While there is a 24 percent decrease in rhino poaching compared to the pre-Covid period in 2019, there has been an increase in poaching on private properties.
In 2021, 209 rhino were poached for their horns in South African National Parks - all in the Kruger National Park. This was in fact a decrease in comparison to 2020 when 247 rhino were poached within the national parks. It is important to note that none of SANParks' smaller rhino parks experienced any rhino losses from poaching in 2021, in comparison to the two rhino that were poached in 2020.
The steady decline in rhino poaching in Kruger Park is related to an increase in the intensity of anti-poaching activities in the Kruger National Park. A close working relationship between the police’s endangered species unit, the SANParks environmental crimes inspectorate has resulted in increased arrests and convictions.
One of the unintended consequences is that poaching syndicates are looking to other areas for easy prey and this has resulted in their targeting private reserves in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Over the last year, conservation and anti-poaching efforts have intensified countrywide as a joint effort is made by state-owned conservation areas, government and private landowners to reduce the poaching of rhino in South Africa. More targeted deployment of resources is being assisted by the rollout of a CSIR-developed situational awareness platform known as CMORE into the integrated wildlife zones. Through this single technology platform, all role players are able to collaborate, making use of real-time insights and analytical capability, linking, for example, camera traps and ranger patrols while integrating a range of other systems.
Information collected and communication flows through the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre (EEFC) which continues to support the teams at both a tactical level and strategic level. Our analysis capabilities have also improved, resulting in the increased identification of those involved in rhino poaching and trafficking and improved and expanded investigations by multi-disciplinary teams.
SANParks, provincial nature reserves and private rhino owners are dehorning rhino to deter poachers, while SANParks is investigating the feasibility of additional actions such as anti-poaching initiatives focused on apprehending poachers and establishing additional founder populations outside the Kruger National Park.
Government continues to work closely with the private sector and non-governmental organisations through the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach and the draft National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT) to address rhino poaching. In 2021 there were 189 arrests in connection with poaching activities: 77 within the Kruger National Park and 109 outside the Park. This compares with 156 people arrested countrywide in 2020. In the 38 verdicts handed down by the courts, 37 cases resulted in the conviction of 61 accused rhino poachers/traffickers.
The following are among some of the successful prosecutions during 2021:
- Project Python: Three persons were arrested and several properties seized. The 3 accused were charged with racketeering and money laundering relating to rhino horn trafficking. One of the accused Ping WU was convicted on two money laundering charges in the Tembisa regional court. The case was remanded to 9 February 2022 for sentencing. The racketeering trial against the other two accused, Huang and Chen, continues and was postponed to 3 March 2022 for the state to lead further evidence.
- S v Arlendo Mhlanga; Hlayisile Adam Hlongwane; Inancio Chauke were sentenced to 85 years of imprisonment, effective sentence of 35 years imprisonment after being convicted on 10 counts in relation to the killing of three rhinos in the Pilanesberg National Park, the possession, transportation, cutting of 6 rhino horns, theft and the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition and trespassing. In addition, the Ford Courier vehicle which was used during the commission of the offences was forfeited to the State.
- S v W Mhangani & and 2 others were convicted for killing 3 rhinos within the Kruger National Park, for being illegally in SA, trespassing, possession of unlicensed firearm and the possession of unlicensed ammunition. Accused 1 was sentenced to an effective 45 years imprisonment and accused 2 and 3 were sentenced to an effective 30 years imprisonment.
- S v GV Tibane and J Matshinga Sithole were sentenced to 19 years imprisonment following a conviction in relation to trespassing in the Kruger National Park, contravention of the Immigration Act, illegal killing of a rhino, possession of firearm with obliterated serial number, possession of silencer, possession of firearm with intent to commit crime, possession of ammunition and possession of an axe.
- S v Emmanuel Mdluli was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment after being convicted on charges of trespassing, possession of firearm with the intention to poach a rhino, possession of firearm with serial number obliterated, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of dangerous weapon, contravening Immigration Act.
On the international front, the following are examples of the important work that is taking place between South Africa and those countries implicated in wildlife crime:
- A Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) process was successfully finalised between SA and Poland, after receipt of a request from Poland relating to rhino horn trophy hunting in South Africa;
- Operation Golden Strike, which relates to the cooperative work done between Southern Africa and South East Asia, has set a platform for better cooperation between these countries with the aim to combat wildlife trafficking at international levels. Several successful operations, bilateral engagements and information sharing sessions were conducted during the reporting period;
- A controlled delivery between South Africa and Vietnam took place in July 2021, resulting from the work between the Hawks and the Vietnamese authorities on a consignment of rhino horns and suspected lion bones that were trafficked to Vietnam. The operation was successfully conducted and 138kg of rhino horns and an estimated 3 tons of suspected lion bones were seized at Da Nang Port in Vietnam. The investigation continues between the two countries;
- Cross border investigations between South Africa and the Peoples Republic of China are underway as a result of a joint integrated operation between the Hawks, assisted by DFFE and the transport sector at OR Tambo International Airport in December 2021. A total of 32 rhino horns were seized. The information obtained during this operation was shared with the Peoples Republic of China authorities, which resulted in the arrest of one suspect in South Africa and two suspects in China as well as the seizure of additional rhino horns.
South Africa remains committed to safeguarding the countrys rhino populations and will continue to work tirelessly, alongside the private sector, committed NGOs as well as authorities in transit and destination countries, to combat wildlife crime.
** Members of the public can report any suspicious activities around wildlife to its environmental crime hotline which is 0800 205 005 or the SAPS number 10111.
To access a recording of Minister Creecy's statement: (Der Link ist für Gäste ausgeblendet. Um ihn zu sehen, bitte registrieren!)
Issued by:
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Media enquiries:
Albi Modise on 083 490 2871
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urolly (11. Februar 2022, 12:35), Tutu (11. Februar 2022, 12:23), Phil_ (11. Februar 2022, 08:14), parabuthus (11. Februar 2022, 05:02), Blinki (10. Februar 2022, 22:58), Bär (10. Februar 2022, 22:45), sunny_r (10. Februar 2022, 22:13), corsa1968 (10. Februar 2022, 22:05)
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Thanks to funding support from IUCN Save Our Species*, co-funded by the European Union**, South African National Parks (SANParks) maintains crucial monitoring of black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) in three of its Frontier region parks. This critical work improves SANParks' knowledge about individual animals and helps protect them for future generations.
Black rhino, listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, saw an almost 96% reduction in their numbers between 1970 and 1992, reaching a minimum of only 2 600 individuals. By the end of 2017, black rhinos in Africa numbered around 5,500 individuals across all subspecies. Apart from Namibia, South Africa is the only other range state of the south-western black rhino sub-species, Diceros bicornis bicornis. SANParks is the custodian for the vast majority of these populations in Addo Elephant, Mountain Zebra and Karoo National Parks.
SANParks' Rhino Monitoring Technician, Christiaan Lochner, says "It is critically important to continuously monitor our rhinos individually to ensure the population's demographics and social dynamics are understood. Ultimately, monitoring aims to provide the best information possible to aid in the species' biological and security management." Thus, monitoring data inform biological management actions to improve population growth by addressing natural resource and rhino social constraints, which reduce birth rates and increase natural mortalities. In addition, this information informs complementary security approaches, which focus on park boundary integrity, anti-poaching, and wildlife crime disruption efforts.
Ideally, each rhino needs to be individually recognizable. For this reason, the ears of rhino are ethically notched with distinctive patterns - the combination and position of which represent a number. "While sedated, we also collect basic data on the individual rhino including sex, location, age, condition and several blood samples that are used for tests relating to the animals' health, blood parasite loads and genetic testing," says Lochner. In September 2021 six individuals were ear-notched and two biopsied in Addo with three individuals ear-notched in Karoo.
Black rhino are monitored in various ways, including by vehicle/foot patrols, aerial patrols and remote sensor cameras. Methods depend on the rhino's habitat and how accessible areas are, but a combination of methods is normally used.
In Addo Elephant National Park, rangers rely on 65 cameras placed throughout the park as vegetation is very dense and animals are not easily sighted. Cameras collect between 40,000 - 60,000 photos weekly which includes around 1,300 black rhino sightings monthly. Although vegetation in Karoo and Mountain Zebra National Parks is more open, camera traps are used in Karoo to supplement sightings from foot patrols.
IUCN Save Our Species funding has ensured that these cameras have remained deployed for 24 hours a day over the past six months. Specifically, it helped keep the monitoring teams vehicles running to service cameras, bought batteries for the cameras and purchased an additional 30 camera traps to be deployed across the three parks. Aerial monitoring also remains crucial across the three parks. In Addo alone, the funding has supported over 50 hours of aerial monitoring that has resulted in 300 sightings of individual black rhinos across the park.
* IUCN Save Our Species aims to improve the long-term survival prospects of threatened species. It also focuses on supporting the species habitats and working with the communities who share this habitat. It achieves success by funding and coordinating conservation projects into multiple initiatives across the globe.
**The Member States of the European Union have decided to link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.
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petersa (2. Juli 2022, 17:42), M@rie (12. Mai 2022, 13:47), Tutu (5. April 2022, 15:51), gatasa (2. April 2022, 21:42), Marc (31. März 2022, 13:18), kOa_Master (30. März 2022, 08:12), toetske (29. März 2022, 22:46), corsa1968 (29. März 2022, 21:33), Blinki (29. März 2022, 21:18), parabuthus (29. März 2022, 21:14), sunny_r (29. März 2022, 21:01), Sella (29. März 2022, 20:40), Anne (29. März 2022, 20:37)
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petersa (2. Juli 2022, 17:42), Tutu (30. Juni 2022, 14:02), toetske (12. Mai 2022, 23:06), Bär (12. Mai 2022, 22:10), Blinki (12. Mai 2022, 20:46), Pfadfinderin (12. Mai 2022, 13:54), corsa1968 (12. Mai 2022, 13:53), sunny_r (12. Mai 2022, 12:41), Phil_ (12. Mai 2022, 11:13)
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South African National Parks (SANParks) today confirmed that on the morning of 1 July 2022, a tourist reported to the Malelane Ranger hearing two gunshots when on the road between Malelane and Skukuza. The location was given as north of Afsaal. In response, a helicopter, K9 and rangers were immediately dispatched to investigate the report. The helicopter flew over the area and located one fresh Rhino carcass and an injured Rhino lying next to the carcass. Further investigations revealed a further two Rhino carcasses in the immediate area.
A second helicopter and Rangers were dispatched to collect the free-running hounds, while the first helicopter deployed Rangers and a K9 to locate the tracks exiting from the scene. The Rangers and K9 continued to follow the outgoing tracks for a few kilometres, after which the free-running hounds were released to continue with the follow up. The hounds indicated a specific area where three suspects were found and arrested. The suspects are all from Mozambique and were in the country illegally. They were found in possession of a high calibre hunting rifle, ammunition, horns from three rhinos, cell phones and other poaching equipment.
The three will face charges related to the incident in due course once the SA Police Services have finalised their investigation including establishing whether the alleged offenders have been involved in other similar or other crimes previously.
The KNP Managing Executive, Gareth Coleman congratulated all the anti-poaching teams on the success thanking the actions of the tourist which led to the arrests saying "being our ears and eyes is very important in this difficult anti-poaching campaign. The KNP is vast and Rangers can’t be everywhere therefore it is crucial for anyone who notices anything suspicious, to report it immediately to assist the Rangers in reacting swiftly. It is critical that such activities are reported directly to SANParks Ranger Services or management rather than reporting on social media" concluded Coleman.
The injured rhino had to be put down due to the serious bullet injuries it sustained.
Issued by:
South African National Parks - Kruger National Park
Media enquiries:
Ike Phaahla
Tel: 013 735 4363; Cell: 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org
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A total of 259 rhino have been poached for their horn in South Africa in the first six months of 2022.
"Recent trends in rhino poaching show a move away from the Kruger Park to private reserves and KwaZulu-Natal where the majority of rhinos have been killed this year. This makes it all the more important for the national government to shift its focus to supporting provincial authorities and private reserves in the war on rhino poaching" said the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy.
The number of rhino poached between January and June 2022 is 10 more than the 249 poached countrywide in the first six months of 2021. From January to the end of June 2022, 82 rhino were poached for their horns in the Kruger National Park.
2022 Poaching statistics show a loss of 210 rhino on state properties and 49 in privately-owned parks. As indicated, the hardest hit during this period is KwaZulu-Natal which recorded a loss of 133 rhino. This is more than triple the 33 rhino killed in the first six months of 2021.
The demand for rhino horn remains a constant threat to our rhino populations as crime syndicates continue to operate within our borders. The number of successful arrests and prosecutions recorded over the past six months can be attributed to the continued successful collaboration between the law enforcement agencies, including the SAPS, DPCI and the Green Scorpions, Customs officials and the National Prosecuting Authority. These efforts are supported by private security.
Partnerships between the public and private sectors remain key to combating wildlife trafficking. In addition to work being undertaken within the seven Integrated Wildlife Zones, the partnership now includes both the financial and transport sectors, as well as transit and end-user countries in Southeast Asia, especially with the People's Republic of China, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Between January and June, 69 people were arrested in connection with rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking. Of these, 13 alleged poachers were arrested in the Kruger National Park.
As a result of the ongoing work of integrated enforcement teams at OR Tambo International Airport, four alleged rhino horn traffickers were arrested between January and June this year for trying to smuggle 56 pieces of rhino horn out of the country. In one instance, cooperation between the Hawks, Malaysia and Qatar authorities led to the arrest of another alleged rhino horn trafficker and his haul of rhino horn pieces at Doha Airport in Qatar. This arrest demonstrates the success of country-to-country cooperation to combat wildlife trafficking at an international level.
The Hawks are also working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in an investigation arising from the discovery in June of a suspect parcel at FedEx that was destined for the USA. The parcel contained 8 kilograms of rhino horns pieces concealed as wooden art pieces.
A number of search and seizure operations took place countrywide, with the Hawks arresting one suspect and confiscating 29 rhino horn during an operation at storage and packing facilities in Bedfordview where rhino horns are prepared and packed for the illegal markets in Southeast Asia.
In combined law enforcement operations two suspects were arrested in June when they were stopped by the Highway Patrol in Bedfordview and found to be in possession of two fresh rhino horn. Two suspects, one an ex-Ezemvelo-KZN Parks ranger, were arrested earlier this month after their vehicle was searched and two fresh rhino horn were seized. One of the accused had previously been arrested for possession of rhino horn in the Kruger National Park.
On 23 April 2022 an integrated operation was conducted to address money laundering and corruption linked to rhino horn trafficking activities within the Kruger National Park. Various search and seizure warrants were authorised and executed at multiple premises in and around the Park with the aim of effectively dismantling the operations of some of the main targets. A multi-dimensional team led by the Hawks, with the support of the Kruger National Park and Stock Theft and Endangered Species in Skukuza was assembled and premises in Limpopo and Mpumalanga were searched during the operation.
Three suspects were arrested during the operation, which included two Kruger National Park field rangers. The arrests and the success of this operation had a significant impact on the rhino poaching activities within Kruger Park and have sent out a strong message that corrupt and illegal activities will not be tolerated. One of the rangers was dismissed during the departmental hearing on 21 July 2022. The other ranger's departmental hearing is ongoing pending the outcome of the court process.
In total 51 cases in which 51 people were convicted have been finalised. The heaviest sentence handed down was 34 years imprisonment, while two Mpumalanga men were sentenced to 28 years behind bars for killing rhino and being in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
In the Skukuza court, two Mozambican nationals were convicted for poaching a rhino in the Kruger National Park, possession of unlawful firearms and ammunition and being in the country illegally. They were sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. In another matter, two Mozambican citizens were convicted of poaching two rhino in Kruger National Park, possession of unlawful firearms and ammunition and sentenced to 19 years imprisonment. In addition, three South Africans were sentenced on charges of rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park and firearm-related charges, and sentenced to an effective 24 years in jail.
The global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), completed an assessment in 2019 of the threats posed to South Africa, and the effort being made to fight these crimes. During this process, the contribution of wildlife trafficking to the generation of proceeds of crime was found to pose a medium to high risk to the country.
Responding to the recommendations of FATF, earlier this year, the National Prosecuting Authority obtained its first conviction on stand-alone charges in terms of Section 6 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (money laundering). In this matter, the individual was accused of laundering the money earned from, amongst others the buying of rhino horn, through a casino. Ping Wu was sentenced to five years imprisonment. The success of this prosecution demonstrates the importance of the government's integrated approach to combat rhino horn trafficking, with an increased focus on targeting the financial crimes involved. We are expecting numerous similar successes in the near future.
To mark World Ranger Day, Minister Creecy last week paid special tribute to field and game rangers working in conservation areas countrywide for their continued commitment to protecting South Africa's iconic species from poaching.
"Following the murder earlier this week of well-known anti-poaching field Ranger, Anton Mzimba, at his home in the Timbavati, we are reminded of the threats that rangers face from poachers and their crime bosses on a daily basis. These are men and women that deserve our respect and support as we join hands to improve their safety," said the Minister.
In May, Kruger National Park field ranger and dog handler, Shando Mathebula, was killed by a buffalo while on patrol in the Shangoni Ranger Section. He has been remembered by his family and colleagues as a young man who was dedicated and who served with discipline and distinction.
In recent years, the work of rangers has changed from a general focus on the conservation of species to a more militant way of operating against well-armed criminal gangs entering national parks and private and state-owned conservation areas to poaching rhino, elephant and other species. Rangers often spend weeks away from home, living in the bush in an effort to protect the country's natural environment from plunder.
"Our rangers need all the support we can provide them. These are men and women who, despite numerous challenges, remain committed to the task at hand despite not knowing what a day will bring," said the Minister.
** Members of the public can report any suspicious activities around wildlife to its environmental crime hotline which is 0800 205 005 or the SAPS number 10111.
Links to the Minister's audio-visual recordings:
Audio: (Der Link ist für Gäste ausgeblendet. Um ihn zu sehen, bitte registrieren!)
Video: (Der Link ist für Gäste ausgeblendet. Um ihn zu sehen, bitte registrieren!)
For media inquiries contact Albi Modise on 083 490 2871.
Issued by The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
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Tutu (7. September 2022, 20:11), Marc (3. August 2022, 12:07), Bär (2. August 2022, 23:09), corsa1968 (2. August 2022, 17:59), sunny_r (2. August 2022, 14:09), urolly (2. August 2022, 13:05), Blinki (2. August 2022, 12:24), Phil_ (2. August 2022, 11:00)
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