No decision made over legal rhino-horn trade discussions
The minister of environmental affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, has confirmed that no decision has been made over the legal trade in rhino horn.
MALALANE – The minister of environmental affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, has confirmed that no decision has been made over the legal trade in rhino horn.
“If we come up with measures that completely eradicate poaching, we may not need to look at trade. We are not looking for money, we are looking at war. This is a war we must win. If there is a solution we may not have to look at trade,” Molewa told delegates at the sixth World Parks Congress in Sydney, Australia, on November 13.
The minister, supported by deputy minister Ms Barbara Thomson and senior Department of Environmental Affairs, SANParks and KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife officials, hosted a successful rhino conservation side event as part of this year’s International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Parks Congress.
It is regarded as a landmark global forum on protected areas, where the next decade’s agenda for conservation is be set for the next decade.
Outlining the interventions by the government and conservation bodies, to combat rhino poaching, Molewa said actions at international level would further strengthen efforts to not only address rhino poaching, but the illegal wildlife trade in general. South Africa recognised that the work being done required continued adaptability to meet changing dynamics.
“Unfortunately the threat of poaching has continued to escalate while various multifaceted interventions are being implemented by South Africa. We are concerned that poaching is part of a multibillion dollar worldwide illicit wildlife trade. Addressing the scourge is not simple,” she said.
The multi-disciplinary responses included the creation of intensive protection zones, translocation of rhino to safe havens within range states, the introduction of new technology, and investigating the possibility of a feasible rhino trade, or not. The Molewa emphasised that no final proposal has been compiled, or decision made, regarding the future legal trade in rhino horn as an additional intervention to reduce the levels of poaching. This means no final proposal has been compiled regarding the future legal trade in rhino horn as an additional intervention to reduce the levels of poaching.
