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

situation at the source: south africa
Rhino cRimeS in South AfRicA
Rhino horn seizures
Previous work by TRAFFIC identified early indicators of a resurgent illegal trade in rhino horns. One of
the important patterns in rhino-related crimes within South Africa has been the overall decline in the
proportion of enforcement-related horn recoveries. The proportion of recovered horn (including both
recoveries in the field and seizures) decreased from 64% during 2000–02 to 49% during 2003–05 in
South Africa (Milledge, 2007a; 2007b). Most recent figures show that 162 horns were seized during
2009–12 (Appendix 2), yet 1152 rhinos were illegally killed in the same period, meaning 2304 horns
potentially entered the black market but only 7% were recovered from this source if all horns seized
represented poached animals.
According to enforcement personnel working in four different wildlife management authorities
(SANParks and three provincial authorities), this trend is most closely linked to the enforcement challenges
following increased organization within the criminal networks behind rhino poaching and horn trading.
Horns entering illegal trade derive from multiple sources, including poached rhinos, legal trophy
hunts, illegal dehornings, thefts and registered and unregistered horns in private hands. The legal acquisition
of horns has created special difficulties for enforcement officials as legal documentation issued for
legitimate horns can be used to provide a means for laundering illegally-sourced horns; further, some
legally-acquired horns have subsequently been laundered into illegal trade (Milledge 2007a; 2007b).
To date, the greatest number of rhino horn seizures in South Africa (24 out of 64 seizures) have
occurred in Gauteng province, with at least 12 seizures at O.R. Tambo International Airport involving
56 horns, from individuals attempting to export them out of the country illegally (Appendix 2). The
relatively high number of seizures made in the province suggests that horns sourced elsewhere in the
country make their way towards Johannesburg for export. This highlights the role of the airport as a
significant trade route. Significant seizures were also made in KNP (11 seizures) and Limpopo province
(12 seizures), both of which experience high rates of rhino poaching (Appendix 2).
No. arrests
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Predicted total for 2012
Number of arrests
Rate of arrests
2010 2011 2012
Figure 31 Total number of arrests and the daily rate of arrests of those involved in rhino crime in South Africa from
2010–20 June 2012 (data from SANParks and DEA)
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Rate of arrests
Arrests
Successful arrests are the first, and thus perhaps the most critical, step in the judicial process. The increase
in the rate of arrests of those involved in rhino crime in 2012, which appears to be nearly twice that of
the two previous years, is to be lauded as a very positive development (Figure 31). The high rate of successful
arrests seen to date in 2012 is generally attributed to increased intelligence activities, as well as better
communication and collaboration between different government departments and an indication that
networks developed between law-enforcement bodies are starting to show results.
To 20 June 2012, 170 arrests have been made, including 10 receivers or couriers (Level 2), six couriers or
buyers (Level 3) and seven exporters (Level 4). The marked increases in the number of very recent
arrests in the higher echelons of the illegal rhino horn trade chain are particularly encouraging (Figure
32). As the most numerous group involved in rhino crime (Figure 28), it is understandable that poachers
typically make up the majority of arrests. However, whilst all arrests are to be commended, experience
shows that the impact of arrests at this level on rhino crime or other illegal wildlife trade activities
is generally relatively short-lived. There are vast numbers of potential poachers available to fill this role
as long as the perceived benefits outweigh the costs. To seriously disrupt the illegal rhino horn trade
chain in the longer term, law-enforcement bodies must identify and remove the dealers, the middlemen
and those in the international organized crime gangs working at higher levels. The challenge is to
find those who are directing the crime, not just those pulling the trigger and acting as local couriers.
Since May 2012, there have been a number of high-level arrests of Vietnamese nationals believed to be
operating as international exporters at Level 4 in the trade chain (Figure 32). Some observers have
linked the recent apparent decline in the rate of rhino poaching (Figure 23) with the arrest of key individuals
in the rhino trade chain. Preventing any such gaps from being filled by new players will require
ongoing co-ordinated law-enforcement investigations and intelligence at an international level. It is
believed there will soon be further substantive arrests as active poaching and illegal trade syndicates
have been identified by investigators.
The provincial spread of arrests in South Africa in recent years clearly shows that a high proportion of
apprehensions are associated with KNP, which is not surprising given that this park remains the epicentre
Figure 32 Proportion of arrests at different levels in the illegal rhino horn trade chain from 2010 – 20 June 2012
(data from SANParks and DEA)
94 the south africa – viet nam rhino horn trade nexus TRAFFIC 95
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2010 2011 2012
Exporters
Couriers
Receivers
Poachers