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

SiTuATion AT THE SouRCE: SouTH AfRiCA
Dr Cindy Harper and the VGL have pioneered a new technique that enables analysis of nuclear DNA
taken from rhino horn samples to identify individual rhinos. The goal is to aid protection of rhinos in
Africa through the application of DNA-testing techniques that have been used for many years in
human forensic testing and investigations (Harper, 2011). The core component of RhODIS is a database
of DNA profiles of rhinos collected during routine interventions such as translocations and dehorning.
DNA profiles have also been obtained from illegally killed and hunted rhinos, as well as seized rhino
horns and those in registered stockpiles. One of the principal applications of the database is to match
recovered horns to poached rhino carcasses using forensics. To date, just over 5000 samples have been
collected, including samples from Namibia and Kenya. A key strength of the database is its size and its
potential global application. If recognized and used as the universal database for holding rhino DNA
samples, it could become a very powerful forensic tool for rhino horn management, monitoring and
law enforcement. The technology has already resulted in convictions where rhino horns have been
matched to specific rhino crime incidents (Harper, 2011).
Whilst the norms and standards are certainly comprehensive, they continue to raise questions of practicality
in terms of their implementation. In this regard, the regulations appear to form a considerable
source of tension amongst stakeholders at local, provincial and national levels. More fundamentally, the
economic priorities of some wildlife industry players conflict with the more purist conservation aims of
the policy (Cousins et al., 2010). Many in the wildlife industry are concerned about the impact the regulations
may have on their livelihoods, particularly with regard to a potential reduction in revenues caused
by restrictions on use and increased costs from numerous permitting requirements, noting:
these concerns should be taken seriously, as any regulations reducing or removing the incentive to ranch
wildlife may impair the relative competitiveness of wildlife as a land use, thus threatening the survival
of the industry (Cousins et al., 2010).
Industry insiders have indeed railed against the stringency of these measures, claiming they are unworkable.
Furthermore, unless compliance is strictly applied, many of these rules could still be circumvented,
especially if perverse incentives continue to persist. A document produced by a representative of a private
game farm owner in response to the TOPS regulations stated:
it is an unfortunate statistical fact that many rhino farmers have chosen the easy way out of conservation
and have resorted to killing their own rhinos. Some farmers go so far as buying [a] rhino for the sole
purpose of hunting it immediately thereafter [and that] legally it is much easier and much more profitable
to simply kill them all (Du Toit, 2012).
Further, in some instances, it has been reported that some private rhino owners are reluctant to communicate
with provincial authorities about permits for restricted activities with rhinos on their properties
due to concerns that passing on such information leads to increased security risks (R. Emslie,
pers. comm., 2012). Concerns remain about the lack of consistency at a national level around conservation
legislation and implementation thereof. Presently only seven provinces are implementing
NEMBA and TOPS regulations (with Western Cape and Mpumalanga provinces the two exceptions).
Yet, several provinces, such as the Northern Cape, have developed their own even more stringent measures
to try and regulate the sport hunting of White Rhinos.
42 the south africa – viet nam rhino horn trade nexus
White or “square-lipped” Rhino.
tim jacKSon/africa geographic