South Africa and Vietnam discuss rhino poaching
Lowvelder visited the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Monday where it was indicated that 153 rhinos have been slaughtered here since 2014 commenced - 71 in January; 38 in February and 44 in March
NELSPRUIT – South Africa and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam concluded “fruitful discussions” in Pretoria last week on issues related to biodiversity conservation and management.
Rhino poaching took priority during the discussions, as the number of rhino poached since the beginning of the year has increased to 233. This was the latest figure supplied by the Department of Environmental Affairs last Wednesday.
Lowvelder visited the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Monday where it was indicated that 153 rhinos have been slaughtered here since 2014 commenced – 71 in January; 38 in February and 44 in March.
The 20-member delegation of Vietnam, which was headed by the vice-minister of natural resources and environment, Ass Prof Dr Bùi Cách Tuyen, also visited the iconic Kruger. They were briefed on rhino anti-poaching initiatives in the park and were provided an insight into the research and work being undertaken by the non-governmental sector in South Africa to curb the poaching.
Actions directed at specific areas of intervention were vigorously deliberated and agreed upon in order to address the issue.
These included:
• engagements and exchange of expertise on the optimisation of management of protected areas and monitoring systems
• the promotion and sharing of awareness raising efforts in both countries
• technology enhancement for improvement of communication exchange and investigation which include invasive species control and DNA detection of rhino horn;
• optimal natural resources management to sustain wildlife resources
• strengthening of joint research on market demands for illegal and legal wildlife productions.
Officials from the department, as well as that of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, SANParks and the police, also briefed the delegation on the following:
• The implementation of biodiversity management legislation in South Africa
• Curbing poaching and the illegal wildlife trade
• Biodiversity management and the sustainable utilisation of resources
• Lessons learnt on existing financing mechanisms and offsets in terms of biodiversity monitoring
• Wildlife and protected area management, biodiversity conservation and management experiences
• Forest management
• Enforcement-related matters.
