The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa published under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) the norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros horn, and for the hunting of rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes in Gazette No. 35248 of 10 April 2012 for immediate implementation.
The proposed norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros horn and the hunting of white rhino for trophy hunting purposes were published for public comment on 30 September 2011 in Gazette No. 34650. Comments received included amongst others, recommendations to take samples for DNA analysis of the live animal when translocated and not only of the horn, confirming the bona fide status of the hunting client and specifications for the micro-chips used for marking.
To address these and other comments, additional provisions have been included in the final norms and standards. Minister Molewa is retracting the previous norms and standards in terms of Notice 756 in Gazette No. 32426 of 20 July 2009.
“The gazetting of the new norms and standards is another significant step that the department is taking in the fight against rhino poaching. We once again make a call to members of the public to also help us in the fight against rhino poaching. We are specifically calling on you to bring any rhino poaching information to our urgent attention,” said Minister Molewa.
According to the new norms and standards, all live rhinos sold and transported after the commencement of these norms and standards that have not been micro-chipped before, or where the micro-chip is no longer detectable must be micro-chipped on the left shoulder of the rhino and on each of its horns. All rhino horns, whether acquired by a legal dehorning procedure, natural mortality or where the rhino has lost its horn in a natural manner must be micro-chipped within five days of acquiring the horn.
In addition to micro-chips, if the horn or part of it is more than 5cm in length, the issuing authority will mark the horn with indelible ink or by means of punch dye, using the formula: ZA/serial number/year/weight. This information will be kept and updated in a national database. The owner of the horn is responsible for the costs incurred by the issuing authority to purchase the micro-chips.
With regard to the collection of samples for DNA profiling, the norms and standards state that when live rhinoceros are darted for translocation, treatment or any other management purpose, samples of the horns and blood must be collected by using the DNA kits provided by the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Samples may only be collected by either a registered veterinarian responsible for the darting of live rhinoceros, an official from the issuing authority trained in the collection of samples or the official or environmental management inspector who attended the hunt and is trained in the collection of samples. As soon as possible after it has been collected, the samples must be sent to the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory of the Faculty of Science of the University of Pretoria at Onderstepoort for analysis for the purpose of DNA profiling.
The norms and standards further state that, with regard to the hunting of rhinoceros in addition to the application for a hunting permit, applicants must submit proof of membership to a hunting association recognised by the government of the country of residence of the applicant, a curriculum vitae which indicates the applicants’ hunting experience, proof of previous experience in the hunting of any African species and a copy of the applicant’s passport. Legislation further stipulates that a hunting client may hunt only one white rhinoceros for trophy purposes within a twelve month period.
Furthermore, rhinoceros hunts must take place in the presence of an environmental management inspector or an official of the issuing authority who is authorised to conduct compliance inspections. The horns, together with the rest of the trophy, must be transported by a duly authorised person from the address where the hunt took place directly to the taxidermy or similar facility to be processed and prepared for exportation. Upon receipt of the rhino horns, the taxidermist or owner of a similar facility must report to the Department of Environmental Affairs the date of receipt of the rhino horns, weight of the horns, micro-chip numbers, the numbers of the hunting and transporting permits and the professional hunting register.
The provisions of these norms and standards apply to all live rhinos and all individually detached horns whether in private or state possession and apply regardless of whether the hunt takes place on private or state land.
“The new norms and standards will strengthen the regulatory framework in terms of monitoring the legality of hunts and control over rhino horns. Stricter provisions relating to hunting were required to ensure processes are standardised and to reduce possible abuse of the system” said Minister Molewa.
The public can report any rhino poaching information to 0800 205 005.
Enquiries:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs gazettes the norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros and rhinoceros horn, and for the hunting of rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes
