South Africa continues to be the epicenter of the global rhino crisis, with 128 rhinos massacred in the first 58 days of 2013.
92 of the rhinos were killed in world-famous Kruger National Park. Authorities in South Africa have arrested 46 suspects for rhino crimes since the start of the year; however, none are at the “kingpin” level.
South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs reports that the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, plans to “engage with China, Thailand, the European Union, the United States and Southern African representatives on the issues of rhino conservation, rhino economics or international trade in rhino horn and possible legislative interventions” during the CITES CoP16 which takes place March 3rd — March 16th in Bangkok, Thailand.
Regarding trade in rhino horn, the Environmental Investigation Agency notes that “the wealthy owners of private rhino farms seeking to cash in on their stockpiled rhino horn” are part of the problem.
All this kind of public debate and speculation does is lead interested parties to anticipate a legalised trade and, ultimately, serve to confuse consumers and so stimulate demand and drive poaching.
Although there is no doubt that the demand for rhino horn is mainly from Vietnam and China, the repeated involvement of South Africa’s game industry insiders continues to evade public scrutiny.
See also:
- South Africa’s Rhino Horn Dealers [Podcast]
- Report: Rhino Killings Driven by Private Stockpiling and Trade Speculation
- ‘Legal’ Trade in Rhino Horn is an Old Agenda, Not a New Solution
Source: environment.gov.za
Rhishja Cota
I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.