Question NW2386 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs
31 August 2017 - NW2386
Purdon, Mr RK to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
(1)With reference to her media release on 24 July 2017 (details furnished), wherein it is stated that 15 out of 35 rhinos that were translocated were poached, (a) where were the 35 rhinos translocated from and (b) which facility were they translocated to; (2) have there been any successful arrests regarding this specific incident; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what steps have been taken by her department to protect the remaining 20 rhinos in the affected facility; (4) what is the size, translated in quantity in tonnes, of the rhino horn stockpile currently held by (a) her department and/or (b) other government agencies?
Reply:
(1) (a) The rhinos were translocated from the Kruger National Park; and
(b) were translocated to Langgeluk Beleggings property in Kroonstad which comprises several farms across the Kroonstad district.
(2) The 20 rhinos are in private ownership and management.
(3) Private rhino owners authorised to possess rhinos are responsible for the security of their rhinos. Government supports such rhino owners, either upon request or through the overall national and provincial programs like the Intergrated Strategic Management Approach.
(4) (a) and (b)
The size and the whereabouts of the stockpile cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
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