Environmental Affairs calls for comments on National Rhino Strategy

Submissions on National Rhino Strategy close on 31 January 2014

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is reviewing the National Strategy for the Safety and Security of Rhinoceros Populations in South Africa, as part of a plethora of measures being undertaken to ensure all steps taken to address the scourge of rhino poaching in South Africa are relevant and effective.

The review of the strategy will assist in addressing emerging issues and potential gaps to further strengthen interventions being implemented to curb the poaching of rhino.

In addition, NGOs, non-profit organisations (NPO), fund raisers, rhino conservation and anti-poaching service providers, and donors involved in rhino-related projects were requested to provide the Department of Environmental Affairs with details relating to their initiatives by 7 February 2014 (link for the form below). The aims of this process are to:

  • Identify priority areas that require additional assistance and gaps that must be addressed;
  • Identify opportunities to collaborate, cooperate or consolidate projects / initiatives or parts thereof;
  • Develop criteria to assist in determining whether NPOs, NGOs or individuals involved in rhino related activities are making a positive contribution towards the fight against rhino poaching and the conservation of the species.

This comes as the total number of rhino poached in South Africa since the beginning of 2014 increased to 86.  A total of 21 poachers have been arrested in the past month.

The highest number of rhino poached – 63 – were killed for their horns in the Kruger National Park.  Since New Year, 8 rhino have been poached in KwaZulu-Natal, 6 in Limpopo, 4 in the Free State, 3 in Mpumalanga and 2 in North West.

South Africans and members of the international community are encouraged to report information regarding rhino poaching and related  tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

Rhino poaching statistics

SA

2010

2011

2012

2013

  2014

KNP (SANParks)

146

252

425

606

 63

MNP (SANParks)

0

6

3

3

 0

Gauteng (GP)

15

9

1

8

 0

Limpopo (LIM)

52

74

59

114

 6

Mpumalanga (MP)

17

31

28

92

 3

North West (NW)

57

21

77

87

 2

Eastern Cape (EC)

4

11

7

5

 0

Free State (FS)

3

4

0

4

 4

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)

38

34

66

85

 8

Western Cape (WC)

0

6

2

0

 0

Northern Cape (NC)

1

0

0

0

 0

Total

333

448

668

1 004

 86

 

Rhino poaching arrests statistics

South Africa - Arrests

   2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

KNP

   14

133

73

82

67

MNP

   0

0

0

0

0

Gauteng (GP)

   0

10

26

16

10

Mpumalanga (MP)

   0

34

66

73

16

Eastern Cape (EC)

   0

0

0

2

7

Limpopo (LP)

   0

70

43

34

36

North West (NW)

   4

26

32

21

2

Free State (FS)

   0

7

6

0

0

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)

   3

63

20

4

25

Western Cape (WC)

   0

0

0

0

2

Northern Cape (NC)

   0

0

1

0

0

Total

   21

343

267

232

165

 

 

For media inquiries contact
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871

More on

Share this page

Similar categories to explore