Question NW1189 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs

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21 May 2018 - NW1189

Profile picture: Purdon, Mr RK

Purdon, Mr RK to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

What is the government’s position on the relationship between captive-bred predators and the survival of wild predator populations in southern Africa?

Reply:

The Government of South Africa manages its species in line with the provisions of the provisions of Chapter 4 of of National Environment Act: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No.10 of 2004). NEMBA has its objectives framed in the context of conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources. The relationship between captive bred predators and the survival of wild populations is not simplistic or linear and therefore requires an understanding of interacting underlying factors as well as the potential risks. A precautionary approach which is evidence based and supported supported by regulatory tools and management systems constitute the government orientation.

The key wild predators that the South African government instituted additional protection measures on, include Lion, Leopard, Brown and Spotted Hyena, Cheetah and African Wild Dog. All of these are listed as threatened or protected species in line with the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations, 2007, and their trade is also regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  These regulatory tools accord additional conservation, hunting and trade restrictions to the use of these species. South Africa, cooperates with the SADC countries on approaches and conservation of predators in Southern Africa especially on areas of common interest. This is done despite the varying conservation philosophies of each country.  South Africa adopts an evidence-based approach which is anchored on the regular advisories that are presented in the form of Non-Detrimental Findings(NDFs) from the established National Scientific Authority. The Scientific Authority has to date developed the NDFs for Leopard and Lion. The determination of the Leopard Quota was evidence-based precautionary approach and such led to the allocation of zero quota for 2016 and 2017, as well as a proposal for a limited quota in 2018. The government further developed and is finalizing the Draft Norms and Standards(N&S) for the Management and Monitoring of the Hunting of Leopards in South Africa for Trophy Hunting Purposes. These N&S are aimed at managing the impact of trophy hunting on the wild Leopard population. This is a clear demonstration of the government commitment to facilitating sustainable use while ensuring adequate protection and the survival of leopard population in the wild.

The relationship between captive bred predators and survival of wild populations in southern Africa may be best analysed in the context of lions in South Africa. Lion, like any other predator is managed with the aim, of safeguarding the survival of lion population in the wild. The South African population of Panthera Leo (African lion) is included in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES).  In terms of Article IV of the Convention, an export permits shall only be granted for an Appendix II species when a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species. Government published the NDF for lion for implementation on 23 January 2018. The NDF analysed the threats to lions in South Africa in the wild and also presented a view on whether the hunting of captive bred lions in South Africa poses a threat to the survival of the wild lion population. The Scientific Authority determined that the trophy hunting of captive bred lions poses no threat to the survival of the wild lion population within South Africa. Furthermore, is the view that captive lions, may in fact serve as a buffer to potential threat to wild lions by being the primary source of hunting trophies and other associated derivatives.

The reference to the two species referred above may also be relevant to the other predators, however Government addresses each of the species and populations on their own merits. Government has since commissioned a research study to investigate how the international trade in products from the captive bred lions under an export quota system impacts on wild lion population. This will further assist in informing the policy orientation in the management of captive bred predators and ensuring the survival of lion population in the wild.

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