KZN rhino poaching stats show increase

RHINO poaching figures in KZN show an alarming increase - from 162 incidents in 2016 to 222 last year.

The long-awaited release of rhino poaching statistics for 2017 was made by the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa last week.

Although she played around with figures and only emphasised the drop in numbers in the Kruger National Park, she did not reveal the actual death count in other areas.

But statistics released by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife confirmed the steep increase in the province.

Anti-poaching activities in Kruger have also given positive results and a slight decrease in deaths have been recorded, it is still too high and the problem has now moved to other provinces.

Another concern is that only one in 10 rhino poachings resulted in convictions.

Molewa reported that 1 028 rhinos were poached from 1 January to

31 December. This represents a decrease of 26 animals compared to 2016.

The increase in poaching in five provinces, namely KZN, the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State and North West is cause for concern.

Poaching syndicates are connected to cross-border wildlife trafficking networks and continue to redirect their efforts to where the risk is lower and the benefits greater.

It was also reported that 21 officials from within the anti-poaching authority were amongst the arrests for poaching-related offences.

More convictions

The DEA reported an increase in convictions from arrests made.

In 2017, 518 arrests linked to rhino poaching and horn trafficking were made, of which 111 criminals were successfully convicted.

This 21% conviction rate is an increase from 2016 which saw a 8.5% conviction rate following 680 arrests.

A number of heavy prison sentences were meted out to convicted poachers and middlemen, but they all received an option of a fine.

The government is yet to adopt the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking, or Regulations on Domestic Trade in Rhino Horn.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed with Mozambique in 2014 has also not been consolidated, with the Implementation Agreement yet to be confirmed.