The South Africa – Viet Nam Rhino Horn Trade Nexus (PDF ... - WWF

situation at the source: south africa
diScuSSion And RecommendAtionS
White Rhino calf resting with mother.
© BRENT STIRTON/REPORTAGE By GETTy IMAGES FOR WWF-Uk
Rhino conservation in South Africa has reached a pivotal point where the unequivocal successes of
decades and the life work of many notable rhino champions are in serious jeopardy of unravelling.
Without any doubt, in global terms, rhinos are emblematic of South Africa’s greatest conservation
achievement: saving the southern subspecies of White Rhinoceros from certain extinction more than
100 years ago and then painstakingly building up numbers from a handful of survivors into the world’s
most numerous rhino species. Indeed, the country remains the African stronghold of both Black and
White Rhinos, holding around 83% of all rhinos in Africa and nearly three-quarters of all rhinos alive
in the wild today in both Africa and Asia. But should the escalating poaching in South Africa continue
unabated, these magnificent and ancient creatures could begin an inexorable decline towards low numbers
and limited range, the very antithesis of the country’s remarkable conservation history for rhinos
to date. Drastic and concerted action is urgently required along the entire trade chain to counter the
threats posed by a resurgent illegal rhino horn trade and to ensure the ongoing growth of rhino numbers
in the world’s premier rhino range State. The international repercussions of large-scale rhino losses
in South Africa should not be underestimated; by its very nature, the recurrent and virulent rhino horn
trade (even if it remains confined to demand in Viet Nam) inherently holds the potential to become
an all-encompassing conflagration, producing devastating effects and consequences on a worldwide
scale throughout the distribution of extant rhino. The situation currently facing South Africa remains a
global challenge.
With the best conservation record for rhinos in the entire world, why is South Africa now gripped by a
rhino crisis of unthinkable dimensions? In fact, a unique set of circumstances and a criminal coalescence
of players that is not found in any other rhino range State at the present time fuels the carnage
in South Africa. A mix of some greedy wildlife professionals, some corrupt government officials and
hardened Asian criminal syndicates have converged in South Africa to create the “perfect storm” for
wreaking havoc on the country’s rhino populations. The annual rate of rhino poaching increases
unchecked despite unprecedented media attention, a flurry of government responses and the best
efforts of those on the ground. Organized criminal syndicates seemingly remain one step ahead of
those fighting the rhino war, and these gangs are frequently better funded and better equipped than
those risking their lives to protect Africa’s rhinos. As government enhances the stringency of policies
designed to prevent unnecessary rhino deaths, ever more loopholes seem to be identified and exploited
by those relentlessly pursuing “easy money”. As anti-poaching and security efforts are heightened, so is
the level of aggression and sophistication displayed by poaching gangs. As the public outcry against
rhino poaching intensifies, the insidious reach of clandestine illegal trade networks extends ever more
broadly and into unexpected quarters across the country. The enticement of potential income to be
generated from the illegal trade in rhino horn has corrupted wildlife professionals within both the private
and State sectors, who view the life of a rhino as inconsequential in comparison to the value of its
horns. Depressingly, this sorry tale plays out against the implicit background knowledge that under
current circumstances, the increased security and protection of specific rhino herds will simply shift
the poaching threat to less protected animals elsewhere.
The valiant efforts of many in the South African government, both national and provincial, must receive
due praise, as well as those within the private sector who are doggedly protecting their animals and fighting
the illegal trade in rhino horn, both within their communities and at higher levels. However, the worrying
fact remains that the rate of rhino poaching continues to increase year on year and there is no clear
indication that this critically dangerous situation is starting to come under control. This scenario is being
played out most clearly in KNP, where the majority of rhinos currently live and are being killed and
where the rate of deaths continues to increase, despite unprecedented security activities. Kruger holds the
largest population of White Rhinos and the second largest population of Black Rhinos in Africa and it is
critically important that these populations are not severely depleted in number or lost altogether. Despite
being the main focus of media attention, rhino poaching is not the only method used to source rhino
horns. The actions of those involved in the “pseudo-hunting” of trophy rhinos, selling off unregistered
rhino horns in their possession and thefts from horn stockpiles, as well as those couriers responsible for
transporting horns out of the country, should be viewed and penalized with equal severity. Valid concerns
have also been raised regarding live exports of White Rhinos to Asia.
There are some hopeful signs. So far in 2012, there has been a rise in the rate of arrests in South Africa
and an increase in the severity of punishments for those accused and convicted of rhino crimes. Many
law enforcement insiders believe that further high-profile arrests are imminent and that continued
harshness in sentencing of those already convicted will prevail. Such a development holds the promise
of starting to bring illegal activities under control. In addition to these actions, the following recommendations
are offered to combat the illegal trade of rhino horn from South Africa and associated
threat to rhino populations:
Concerning political will
• The need for strong political will to make addressing rhino crime a non-negotiable, high-profile national
priority: Whilst the many important initiatives and efforts that have served to elevate rhino conservation
to be a top-level concern of the South African government are to be applauded, it is essential that government
institutions and high-ranking political figures, including the President, continue to see the rhino
crisis as one that negatively impacts on the country’s international image and reputation; undermines
economic development, especially in the tourism sector; poses a serious national security threat, including
armed incursions of poachers operating from bases in neighbouring countries; entrenches the presence
of international organized crime syndicates in the nation; and concerns an ecological, biological
and conservation issue of global significance. Furthermore, the rhino poaching crisis has been identified
as a critical problem in South Africa by CITES and other international biodiversity conservation forums.
The eyes of the world are clearly upon South Africa now, creating a unique opportunity to demonstrate
leadership in ensuring the conservation of rhinos globally. Failure in this regard will certainly seriously
damage South Africa’s conservation reputation and prestige as an ecotourism destination. It is further
recommended that rhino issues be raised to a higher political level in the international dialogue between
South Africa and consumer countries such as China and, particularly, Viet Nam.
• The requirement to address capacity and resource constraints affecting South Africa’s conservation authorities
at national, provincial and site levels: The challenge of preventing rhino poaching and illegal horn
trade is shared between several government entities operating at different scales, but a common thread
in almost all arenas is the lack of resources available to address the issue. Shortfalls in training, staff
capacity, manpower, vehicles, equipment and, in some cases, sufficient operational budgets to cover
expenditure for basic things like cell phones and fuel, hamper the activities of many, if not all, government
operatives. To combat this problem, South Africa needs to rapidly address the constraints upon
resources through governmental and institutional budgeting procedures so that conservation officials
in all departments are empowered to take on the criminals behind rhino crime without the impediment
of capacity and resource limitations.
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