Creecy calls for partnership on rhino recovery

WHEN Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy delivered her Budget vote for 2022/23 to the National Assembly this week, she did not leave out the conservation of rhinos.

Creecy said a year ago she released the High-Level Panel Report which reviewed policies, legislation and practices related to the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephants, lions, leopards and rhino.

“South Africa also needs a species recovery plan for white rhino which considers the poaching crisis, and the potential we have to breed white rhino in controlled environments for conservation purposes, in support of conserving rhino in extensive wildlife systems,” Creecy said.

“I believe that such a plan can be developed in partnership with private rhino owners, giving effect to the panel recommendations in a voluntary win-win scenario. I have requested SANParks to lead the development of such a recovery plan …”

She said Parliament approved an amendment to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, which would enable the development of legislation at the national level.

Moreover, they were in the process of establishing a wildlife welfare forum that would promote biodiversity conservation and the ecologically sustainable, responsible and humane use and management of wildlife.

On the poaching front, Creecy said that addressing the poaching of South Africa’s wildlife and plant species had been prioritised by the government with provinces and sectors hard hit by these crimes receiving extensive support from the department.

She said that in February they reflected on last year’s rhino poaching statistics, and while acknowledging a steady decline in rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park, poaching pressure had shifted across the country and KwaZulu-Natal has become a key target for syndicates. “As a result of the alarming rate of poaching in that province, key departmental resources have been deployed to actively support Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the SAPS.”

At the weekend, KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Ravi Pillay said: “A total of 93 rhinos were poached in KZN parks in 2020, and 102 were poached last year.

“Since January this year, 106 rhinos have been poached, indicating a syndicated operation and severe level of brazenness.”