Wildlife conservationists around the world heaved a collective sigh of relief upon hearing South Africa’s announcement that it will not put forth a rhino horn trade proposal at the upcoming Conference of the Parties to CITES.
The South African government stated on April 21 that its Committee of Inquiry on the feasibility of trading in rhino horns “recommends that the current mode of keeping the country’s stock levels be kept as opposed to the trading in rhino horns. The country’s strategic approach entails security; community empowerment; biological management; responsive legislative provisions that are effectively implemented and enforced; and demand management.”
Annamiticus welcomes this news as we have worked tirelessly with our international colleagues and partners to prevent the disaster that would have erupted across all rhino range states if a legal rhino horn trade had become a reality. The misinformation propagated by the pro-trade lobby has been a harmful and unnecessary distraction and we are pleased that the global community can now move forward with protecting all five rhino species throughout their range states in Africa and Asia.
However, South Africa’s decision to continue hoarding its rhino horn stockpile rather than disposing of it, and its choice of the phrase “demand management” rather than “demand reduction” are issues that will remain under scrutiny.
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.