KZN RHINO SECURITY

REPORT AND

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE

PORTFOLIO COMMITTE (DEA)

JANUARY 2012

EZEMVELO KZN WILDLIFE

Conservation, Partnerships & Ecotourism

1.	Introduction
 
In your letter dated (11 December 2011) for recommendations to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs in the Parliament of RSA on how to address the escalating rhino poaching crisis in South Africa. One need to look back where we come from, how far we have gone and lessons learned over a number of decades. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spear headed rhino conservation in the late 1800’s.
 It was in the year 1895 that the last remaining White Rhino were found between the White and Black iMfolozi Rivers in KwaZulu-Natal. In 1953, as a result of conservationists preserving and protecting, the White Rhino population was estimated to be around 437 in Southern Africa after the first official aerial count was done by the world renowned conservationist, Dr Ian Player, under the wing of former Natal Parks Board which evolve to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife today. KZN today holds a population of Black & White rhino that was regarded as one of the six key populations in the world by IUCN.
KZN has a proud track record of successful rhino conservation. The rhino population in South Africa was on the brink of extinction in the early 1960’s, but at the end of 2009 South Africa had conserved 35% of Africa’s black rhino and 93% of Africa’s white rhino respectively. To date, rhino population have grown at a healthy annual growth rate, with the total rhino population for the country estimated to be above 20 000 in 2010. However, the successes are undermined by the illegal wildlife trafficking, which is worth billions annually and is considered to be the third most lucrative criminal trade in the world, ranking closely behind drugs and human trafficking and leading the arms smuggling trade. Comparatively, illicit products including rhinoceros horns which are believed to be worth more than gold, diamonds or cocaine and other drugs in monetary terms. While the rate of poaching is below the levels that threatening to the survival of the species, it is however acknowledged that if the current rate continues unabated, the situation could reach a stage where numbers could start declining to a point where the mortality rate will exceed the natality rate. The scourge of rhino poaching was thought to be at its worst in the year 2010 with 333 rhinos illegally hunted in the country, but in 2011 we have lost 448 animals nationally and 34 of these from KZN. As a result KZN Wildlife Board approved the rhino security intervention plan to be implemented with immediate effect.

2.	KZN Rhino Security Intervention Plan – Objectives and Outputs

•	 To assess the risk and threat in all 13 rhino reserve’s and 5 Black Rhino Range Expansion Projects sites 
•	To ensure all Standard Operating Procedures are in place and being implemented
•	To secure adequate funding, manpower and re-focus resources 
•	To develop a proactive strategy to curb rhino poaching through good intelligence, rather than reactive.
•	To ensure that staff are adequately trained and empowered to combat the rhino poaching threat.
•	To rapidly reduce the decline of rhino being illegally hunted in KZN. 
•	 To ensure there is cooperation for all rhino cases from the SAPS and the NPA  

Programme outputs

3.	Programme outputs

1. It is anticipated that a decline in rhino poaching will be achieved over the next five years through the KZN Rhino security intervention plan.
2. The successful conservation of the species will contribute positively to the GDP of the province through tourism.
4. Some of the programme’s achievements

The achievements of the KZN Rhino Security Intervention Plan include:
•	13% reduction of rhino’s being illegally hunted in KZN Province when compared to 2010 and profiling the Province to the top three in the country.
•	A risk assessment have been done to all 13 rhino reserves
•	Standard Operating Procedures have been implemented to all rhino reserves.
•	Effective informer networks and intelligence network was established in the Province.
•	Obtain a 20 year successful conviction which is the highest in history in SA.
•	A total number of 13 different firearms confisticated during contact situations or planned operations.
•	An ability to link a DNA test for a rhino horn and a carcass in the field hence getting a heaviest sentence ever in the country.
•	Purchase of a bantam and securing a helicopter for law enforcement operations.
•	An ability to penetrate the syndicate vicious circle through informer networks and intelligence hence forcing the syndicate to go somewhere else.
•	Being influential in prioritising all law enforcement positions across the spectrum
•	Deployment of SANDF in Mozambique and Swaziland border
•	Mobilising and forcing partnership with the private sector through a shared vision of Project Rhino.

5.	Current structure and reporting

The institutional framework for Ezemvelo’s Rhino Security Intervention Plan Unit, structure and reporting for the unit are as follows:-

KZN Rhino Security Programme Components

CEO

EDBC

Interim Rhino Security Co-ordinator

Implementation of rhino security interventions

Strategic Liaison and Information

Investigations

Intelligence

6.	Table 1: Provincial Comparison Between 2010 & 2011 

                     

              Table 2: Poaching curve since 2000 to end 2011 (RSA vs KZN)

The red line indicate a national trend while a blue line indicate a decline in KZN 

7.	Recommendations
7.1	Rhino Management
i.	Protection of in situ rhino populations:

Effective management and protection of the rhino breeding stock remains critical to the survival of the species both on state and private land. Improving the number and quality of trained rhino protection  staff remains essential, especially since the poachers are notably violent and in some cases well trained and well armed.  In addition, improvements in rhino monitoring are also important because without reliable information on animal numbers and their demographics, as well as information on patrol effort one cannot assess the efficiency of the rhino protection effort and the response of the population to the poaching threat. Great strides have been made in Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves . Providing rhino protection is a costly activity. Means should be explored to maximize efficiencies without losing effectiveness. In the private sector that could be addressed via greater cohesion & cooperation on local farmer groups such as Project rhino in KZN (Knight 2012).  

i.	Intelligence gathering & informer networks:
It is widely accepted that one good information equals hundred patrols. Good intelligence gathering and database management and analysis is an essential tool in proactively stopping illegal activities before they occur, thus saving rhino lives. In this regard the NWCRU should be granted greater powers to encourage cooperation and information sharing from all conservation bodies and other required law enforcement bodies. This would be greater enhanced by making the NWCRU a permanent unit within DEA. Through combined resources and intelligence more can be delivered. In addition inclusion of the private rhino owners into the intelligence sphere would greatly facilitate the law enforcement process. The use of sophisticated intelligence database and analytical programmes will go a long way in putting the puzzles together. 

ii.	Prosecutions:  While there have been many arrests the low number of successful prosecutions of rhino related cases is a matter of great concern not only to South Africa, but also to our neighboring countries, as it increases the risk to their own rhino populations. This issue was raised on numerous occasions. Greater effort in the investigative capabilities of our law enforcement agencies are required as many cases are thrown out given poor management of the scene of the crime and evidence trail.  In addition there is an urgent  need for more efficient and dedicated court processes, such as  through the reestablishment of environmental courts or court – this may a require a revision of the policy determining the number of cases required before such a court could be established.  Greater prosecution successes are required, especially of the national and international courier, buyer and exporter. Sentences need be increased to match the priority crime rating. This can come about through the provision of reliable and comprehensive evidence in mitigation of sentences as has been used in getting the current maximum sentences for both poachers and couriers. The need for greater awareness amongst the judiciary would be of immense value, as would the use of dedicated specialized wildlife crime prosecutors, judges and magistrates in rhino related cases. Such expertise should be encouraged to help other poorly staffed & experienced districts on such matters. This matter needs to be brought to the urgent attention of the NPA. We would also like to adopt a good strategy of Swaziland where you are sentenced with no option of a fine.The absconding of accused that have been granted bail has in some cases been problematic and for this reason prosecutors should routinely oppose bail on any serious rhino case. 

iii.	National DNA Database

The use of DNA fingerprinting to match confiscated horns with carcasses has become an essential tool in providing unequivocal evidence in court cases. Collection of samples and the entry into the national database should become a standard protocol not only with all dead horn, and samples from carcasses but all animals captured and translocated.  The country can be rightly proud for the rapid progress it has made in this regard. This facility need be granted further financial support to expand their services to accommodate the expected increase in samples and requests nationally and internationally ( Knight 2012). 

iv.	Legalising the trade in rhino horn

There is no single silver bullet to solve the complex issue of saving the rhino in our country. No party can claim to have the solution. No organization can claim to have the high ground in this treacherous terrain. South African Breweries (SAB) CEO Norman Adami has a favorite saying: “Make reality your friend.” That means we must plan for the future as it is likely to be, not the way we would like it to be. Looking at the rhino situation in South Africa, it seems that there are too many voices arguing for the future they would like to see, rather than facing up to the terrible threats of a new record year of rhino poaching. 
There is a need for all those concerned about the situation to be unified around an agreed and bold strategy, and then to focus on a co-ordinated execution of the plan. If there was one hope, it was the sense of the country pull-ing together to combat the killing. The fact that the white rhino came within an inch of extinction within our lifetime seemed to drive a collective consciousness and willingness to act. 
A closer look at what is happening does not bear out the perceptions of some that government and conservation agencies are not doing enough. There are hundreds of dedicated and competent people engaged in this fight on a daily basis. Government and private reserves are investing millions of rands in protecting a key national asset. 
There are debates on the best solution. Maybe a good start is to provide an honest business perspective on the issue. Clearly the value of the rhino and environmental assets can never be measured in monetary values alone. Those who believe in a complete ban of trade in rhino horn often question the motives of those arguing for managed trade. Providers of different technologies compete with each other. In the meantime, the rhino poachers demonstrate a singular purpose in killing rhinos and removing their horns. We are in a war and the power of a unified system will allow us to do things we did not think were possible, and which we could not do individually. 
Secondly, it is important to understand the market dynamics within which you operate. The most striking reality of the rhino market is that a rhino is worth more dead than alive. Today, you can buy a rhino on auction for about R300 000. Tomorrow you can sell the horn of that animal for R1.5 million. 
It doesn’t take an actuary to work out the economics of the rhino trade. Rhino ranchers fear their assets will be slaughtered, so the price of live rhino is decreasing. Factor in the cost of security and the emotional trauma of the situation and it is not surprising that owning the animal can become a liability rather than an asset. 
The horns from animals who die of natural causes are locked up in vaults because it is illegal to trade in rhino horn, following a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) ban. With the growing demand for rhino horn primarily based on emerging middle class consumers in the East, it is easy to understand why a constrained supply of horn would drive the price sky-high. This imbalance between supply and demand is at the heart of the contention of those arguing for legal, managed trade of rhino horn. 
It is best to keep sentimentality out of this argument but it is hard not to notice that the bulk of those screaming against legal trading of rhino horn are from countries that no longer possess a single rhino. It is critically important that South Africa works out a national solution, but keep in mind the global concerns. 
From a conservation perspective, the key issue is the protection and survival of the species, rather than the vagaries of the market economy. One cannot ignore the important contribution made to the growth in number of white rhinos by the game ranching industry. In 1961 Operation Rhino was launched to save the white rhino, with only 437 left in the wild. By 1970 the white rhino was added to the hunting list, leading to an expansion in the number of ranchers buying rhino and land on which to ranch. Today the total white rhino population in the country is estimated at more than 18 700, with about 25 percent in private hands. The self-interest of these ranchers made a massive contribution to the common interest of saving this animal from extinction. What would happen if we legalised the rhino horn trade? The risk of keeping a rhino would diminish and game ranchers would increasingly seek to keep rhino, with the increased demand likely to raise the price of live rhino, while promoting their growth and conservation. 
The supply of rhino horn would be guaranteed as the horns regrow and can be reharvested. This would result in a significant reduction in the current price. In addition, releasing the stockpile of rhino horn held by authorities and the private sector would result in an immediate reduction in the price of rhino horn, all of which would make poaching less attractive for criminal syndicates. And if the revenue was dedicated to more effective policing, it would be possible to substantially raise the risk to poachers. Together with effective standards, rules and enforcement, this could be the beginnings of a sustainable model to secure the future of the species. 
The third business lesson is that every strategy contains risks that must be managed. Wildlife Ranching South Africa and the SA Hunters and Game Association (have called) for the ban on rhino horn sales to be lifted and with every transaction of selling a rhino or buying a horn being subjected to a valid DNA certificate. In the way the Kimberly Protocol aimed to sideline blood diamonds by being able to verify their origin, it would be essential to establish the origin of horn. 
Fortunately the technology exists at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at Onderste-poort, where a substantial database is being built up of the DNA profiles of rhinos in the country and even neighbouring countries. For transparency purposes. Clearly there are risks. No one really knows what the ultimate demand for rhino horn could be, or if legal trade would satisfy such demand, or whether burning all the horns would achieve anything except make the Asian rhino farmer a great deal richer and the poachers more bold. 
Finally, there is the importance of educating the customer. Applying this to the rhino trade seems to point to a global campaign on the lack of physical or nutritional value of rhino horn. 
It is important to remember that using rhino horn for traditional medicine is a custom that is thousands of years old, and it won’t be changed overnight, if ever. But a systematic campaign in partnership with authorities in those countries can hopefully make a positive difference over time. It does not mean that the situation is not hugely complicated. When dealing with complexity in the market, the approach of SAB, or Simplicity, Action and Boldness, is really effective. We need a clear strategic plan that the public and private sectors agree with. Of course the plan can’t be simplistic, but it will have to be simple and crisp, with clear objectives. 
This will require leadership and co-ordinated, bold action from expect in rhino Conservation like EKZN Wildlife,  National Parks and DEA and other major conservation agencies and environmental NGOs as well as the key private sector agencies (Ian Player and Andre Fourie 2011).

8.	Conclusion
It is a known fact that in conservation you never win an outright war – conservationists will always be involved in ongoing guerrilla warfare spanning the entire lifetime of that which you wish to conserve. It’s through that courage, sacrifice and lifelong commitment that rhino poaching will be defeated at the end.

Jabulani Ngubane
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
P.O Box 1329
Eshowe
3815
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Tel: 0354730700
Fax: 0865043465
ngubanej@kznwildlife.com