Download - Wildlife Crime in South Africa Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs 03 March 2015
Wildlife Crime in South Africa
Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs
03 March 2015
Overview of the presentation• Introduction• What is the Environmental Management Inspectorate• Capacity Building• Species of national concern
– Rhino– Reptiles– Birds– Cycads– Predators
• International Engagements• Regional Engagements
Introduction• Illegal wildlife trafficking is the fifth most profitable illicit trade
in the world, estimated at up to $10 billion annually;• Controlled by dangerous crime syndicates, wildlife is trafficked
much like drugs or weapons and these criminals often operate with impunity, making the trade a low-risk/high-profit business;
• Wildlife crime involves the Illegal killing, collecting and smuggling of a wide range of animal and plant species and
• Illegal killing and the subsequent illegal trade in wildlife has significant impact on the survival in the wild of some of South Africa’s most valuable animal and plants species (cycads, rhino, sungazers, cranes)
Introduction continues• DEA has a mandate to enforce the National
Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and Specific Environmental Management Acts (SEMA’s)
• Biodiversity Act NEMBA: (TOPS, CITES, BABS and AIS Regulations), Norms and Standards (Rhino and Elephant) and Biodiversity Management Plans (White rhino, Cycads, African Penguin)
What is the EMIEnvironmental Management Inspectorate
(EMI) Network of environmental enforcement officials across spheres of government, and across environmental media
Standardised powers and training:◦ compliance monitoring ◦ enforcement
Distinctive national identity with national profile
DEA (EI&P, B&C, O&C)
SANParks, Isimangalis
o
Provincial environme
nt departmen
ts (e.g. DEADP, GDARD)
Provincial parks boards
(e.g. Mpumalanga Parks Board,
KZN Ezemvelo)
Municipalities (e.g. Joburg, eThekwini, Cape Town)
Other national organs of state,
e.g. SANBI
Role of the Department• Co-ordinate through WG4 (National Biodiversity Investigators Forum)• SOP with SAPS-EMI (EMI’s carry criminal dockets) • National coordination of the Green Scorpions – strategy development• National Training Programme • Compliance and Enforcement Joint Operations• Building Partnerships • Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Lekgotla• National Hotline, Information collection and Reporting – NATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT REPORT• Development and facilitate implementation of Environmental
Compliance and Enforcement Strategy • International engagement and participation – eg CITES Rhino
Enforcement Task Force / Interpol / SADC and other networks
EMI Capacity per Institution
National Enforcement Statistics
MOST PREVALENT CRIMES REPORTED – 2013/14Province Institution Prevalent crimes
Number of incidents reported
National Institutions
SANParks Illegal hunting of rhino in a national park (NEM: PAA) 463DEA Waste related cases (NEM:WA) 76
Western Cape Western Cape DEADP Unlawful commencement of listed activities (NEMA) 197CapeNature Angling without an angling permit (MLRA) 29
Kwa-Zulu Natal KwaZulu-Natal DAEA Unlawful commencement of listed activities (NEMA) 245Ezemvelo Illegal entry / Poaching
Prohibited activity (Ordinance 15 of 1974) 1219
Isimangaliso Illegal hunting and snaring (NEMBA) 10Gauteng GDARD Import hunting trophies (CITES) 392Limpopo Limpopo DEDET Illegal cutting and collection of wood (LEMA) 256Eastern Cape Eastern Cape DEDEA Illegal activities (Ordinance 19 of 1974 Sec 63) 84
Eastern Cape Parks Illegal hunting inside protected area (NEM:PAA, MLRA and ECPTA Act) 17
Free State Free State DEDTEA Illegal possession of wild animals and import (NEMBA,TOPS & CITES) 34
Mpumalanga Mpumalanga DEDET Illegal commencement of listed activities (NEMA S24 F) 43Mpumalanga Parks Illegal rhino hunting (Mpumalanga Nature Conservation
Act 10/ 1998 sec 5) 74
Northern Cape Northern Cape DEANC Failure to comply with condition (NC Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009) 47
North West North West DEDECT Illegal hunting and netting (Transvaal Nature Conservation Ordinance Act 12 of 1883) 29
North West Parks Illegal hunting of rhino (NEMBA S57) 28
National Capacity Building Programme• EMI Basic Training – prerequisite for designation• EMI Specialised Training (Use of minimum force, AIS
bridging course and Biodiversity crime scene mng) • Prosecutor Training• Magistrates Awareness Raising Programme• External stakeholder training:
– Customs – roll-out to DDU and developing a training programme - Illicit International Cross Border Movement Of Endangered Species Training
– SAPS – incorporated into other training
21001
2274
1025708 194 127102 37 26 141 1Rhino numbers South Africa
NamibiaKenyaZimbabweBotswanaTanzaniaSwazilandZambiaMalawiUgandaMozambiqueAngola
RHINO CONSERVATION IN AFRICA
• South Africa is key
• Four range states– 96% of black rhinos– 99% of white
rhinos
THREAT TO RHINO: POACHING
Rhino poaching in ZA
PROVINCE 2014 2015
Gauteng 5 0
Limpopo 110 17
Mpumalanga 83 11
North West 65 3
Eastern Cape 15 5
Free State 4 0
KZN 99 14
Western Cape
1 0
Northern Cape
5 0
TOTAL: 387 239
Poaching (2015) (up to 25 February 2015):158 (108 in Kruger National Park)
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140
200400600800
100012001400
36 13 83182
333448
668
10041215
Rhino illegally killed in South Africa
Year
Num
ber o
f rhi
no p
oach
ed
Kruger National Park: 827
STATUS OF RHINOS IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 20200
3000
6000
9000
12000
15000
White rhino
Num
ber o
f rhi
nos
8968(8394-9564)
Stabilization is a combination of poaching, management and ecology
Management removals key to overall rhino population of South Africa
YEAR POPULATION SIZE
1960 350 (Rhino introduced from KZN)
1990s 1 000
2000s 2 000
2010 8 700 – 12 200 Predicted that by 2013 there should be 7 700 to 11 200
2013 8 600 – 9 400 (survey estimate)
15
INTEGRATED STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
17
August 2014, Cabinet approved an Integrated Strategic Management approach that enhances current interventions and introduces additional interventions
This approach includes the following: • Managing Rhino Populations (interventions to increase
numbers• Compulsory Interventions• International and national collaboration and cooperation• Long-term sustainability measures
MANAGING RHINO POPULATIONS
18
• Rhino translocation programme aimed at cost effectively protecting them and to create rhino strongholds in order to maximise rhino populations;
• Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) has been created in the Kruger, where additional resources are being deployed in order to ensure better protection for the rhino population;
• 56 rhinos moved out of poaching hotspots and trans-located from certain areas within the Kruger National Park (KNP) to an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) as well as to other more secure areas, inn the last three months of 2014;
• Approximately 100 rhino have been translocated to neighbouring States during 2014, through both private partnerships and government initiatives.
COMPULSORY INTERVENTIONS
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• Commendable effort to combat wildlife crime, however, it continues to be a growing problem worldwide, evidence of increased involvement of organized crime groups operating through well-developed criminal networks;
• A well-coordinated law enforcement response is also required to effectively combat transnational organized wildlife crime;
• Critical to continue with and strengthen the compulsory interventions, primarily focus on Safety and Security interventions that include new interventions and applying new methodologies as well as improve collaboration both at national and at international level;
NATIONAL COLLABORATION
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1. PRIORITY COMMITTEE ON WILDLIFE CRIME • Ensuring all provincial structures are co-ordinated, collaborated and functional in
the fight against Wildlife crime;• Meetings in Mpumalanga, Kwazulu Natal and North West;• National Rhino Operational Centre in the Kruger National Park;• Dedicated detective team in the Kruger National Park;• Continued engagement with the Private Rhino Owners
2. INTELLIGENCE WORKING GROUP ON ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING • Established through intervention of the Priority Committee on Wildlife Crimes of
the NATJOINTS • co-ordinated by the National Intelligence Coordination Committee (NICOC), • action the joint strategic interventions entailed in the National Rhino Strategy and
in the Integrated Management Strategy approach; • All affected departments are represented within the IWG
3. TRANSNATIONAL CRIME AND CORRUPTION CENTER (TRACCC) PROJECT • DEA, Parks Foundation (PPF), the World Wide Fund (WWF) and the Security Cluster. • George Mason University in the United States of America. • Crack syndicate enterprises through analyses of relevant information to detect and
trace funds and monies used in rhino poaching activities.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION MOUs
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1. Vietnam • A MOU signed in December 2012• Implementation plan signed - 8TH MAY 2013• Implementation of MOU on-going
2. People’s Democratic Republic of Laos • The MOU between South Africa and the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos is
awaiting signature. 3. Kingdom of Cambodia• A MoU finalized, will be signed on the 8th of April 2015 in South Africa
4. Mozambique• The MOU between South Africa and Mozambique was signed on 17 April 2014.• A first draft of implementation has been developed and will be circulated to
relevant authorities for comments. 5. People’s Republic of China• An MOU with the PRC was signed in March 2013• Implementation plan still in negotiation, inbound visit 21 – 24 March 2015
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
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1. DIALOGUE ON ILLEGAL TRADE IN RHINO HORN: 11 – 14 February 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland (Ministerial
dialogue: 14 February 2015)• Convened at the request of South Africa, by the CITES
Secretariat; • To bring together Key States concerned with the illegal
trade in rhino horn;• Discuss and identify priority areas for enhanced bilateral,
trilateral and multilateral cooperation • To address both the supply and demand for rhino horn, • To secure further political commitment to implement
appropriate activities and cooperation.• Outcomes include specific Ministerial commitments related
to improved communication, information sharing, enforcement and capacity building
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
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2. BEYOND ENFORCEMENT SYMPOSIUM (26 – 28 FEBRUARY 2015)IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Sustainable Use and
Livelihoods Specialist Group hosted a symposium ‘Beyond Enforcement: Communities, governance, incentives and sustainable use in combating wildlife crime’;3. AFRICAN MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
(AMCEN) (2 – 6 MARCH 2015 - EGYPT)• The AMCEN meeting’s Experts Group, includes an item on illegal
wildlife trade as an outcome of the first United Nations Environment Assembly and the engagement of Africa in the Assembly.
4. RHINO RANGE STATES MEETING & RHINO RANGE STATES ACTION PLAN (October 2015);• To share information relating to interventions implemented to
secure populations and ensure rhino’s long-term conservation;
• Engage on lessons learnt; priority actions to be implemented; and
• To identify key areas of cooperation; and develop a framework action plan for the conservation of rhino in Africa.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
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5. RHINO PROTECTION PROGRAMME (PEACE PARKS) • Peace Parks Foundation • Secured funding from the Dutch and Swedish Lottery to support
different streams of interventions - technology - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), - DNA analysis process, - funding to support information management
mechanisms to assist in deployments and enforcement initiatives
- Implementation of the MoU with Mozambique. • Development of a proposal to seek funding support for
implementation of interventions/ projects are aimed at the creation of alternative economic opportunities for vulnerable communities
LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY INTERVENTIONS
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A. COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY• Cabinet authorised the DEA to explore the possibility of legalizing trade in
rhino horn, or not;• 22 member committee established;• Preliminary screening completed, but full security vetting on these
members will commence soon, awaiting the submission of forms for processing;
• IMC - Ministers of Environmental Affairs, International Relations and Cooperation, Trade and Industry, Finance, Science and Technology, Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Rural Development and Land Reform, Economic Development, Tourism, South African Police Services, State Security Agency and Justice and Correctional Services;
• Committee of Inquiry will make recommendations to the Technical Advisory Committee, constituted of the Director-Generals of the Ministries on the IMC
• A report containing recommendations, to the Minister of Environmental Affairs, the Technical Advisory Committee and the Inter-Ministerial Committee by the end of September 2015
LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY INTERVENTIONS
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A. COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY – Work Streams
1. Understanding socio-economic conditions and impacts of conservation areas on adjacent communities, as a means to support rhino conservation
2. A shift in Relationships: From stakeholder engagement to developing reciprocal partnerships between conservation agencies and communities to benefit rhino conservation
3. Addressing wildlife crime and disrupting criminal networks
4. Regulatory regime and controls
5. Impact of management decisions on the conservation of the species
6. Implications for other range States, transit- and consumer States
7. Supply and demand and potential models for trade
8. Trade partners (currently no work being done – to commence later)
9. The Sustainable use approach to wildlife management
10. The current South African rhino conservation status
11. Rhino history
LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY INTERVENTIONS
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A. COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY – areas requiring research & information
Socio-economic impact study and community stakeholder engagement.
Details relating to supply and demand, as well as trade mechanisms.
Demand reduction successes and key components of strategies that have succeeded.
A survey of private rhino owners to obtain more information relating to among others investment and disinvestment in live rhino, security costs, and interventions from private rhino owners.
The impact of poaching on tourism and the role of rhino and other endangered species (as well as the Big Five) in terms of Tourism.
Wildlife crime, including the disruption of national and transnational criminal networks involved.
LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY INTERVENTIONS
29
B. COMMUNITIES• Emphasis on the role of local communities who live with and
alongside this same wildlife; • Without strong incentives for legal use, that in turn generate
alternative economic opportunities - the incentive to become involved in poaching will remain;
• Need to see how the value in a live rhino outweighs that of a dead one.
• Alternative incentives - encourage recognition of all the values of rhino,
• Uphold sustainable use principles:• creating incentives to promote / facilitate rhino ownership;
and • consolidation of rhino population across different land-uses
LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY INTERVENTIONS
30
B. COMMUNITIES• 2 land redistribution programme beneficiary
communities in Limpopo (Balepye and Selwane - both undertaken a project to utilize land for rhino conservation and sustainable game ranching).
• ‘Beyond Enforcement’ Symposium, examined the role of community-based interventions in combatting the illegal trade of wildlife;
• Community development and awareness creation• Understanding current survival mechanisms
Species of national concern continuesReptiles:• Trade mostly for pet trade and collectors• Extent of smuggling of indigenous species not
known • Operation Cold Blood – national joint
operation to ascertain compliance with provincial and national legislation
• Easy to smuggle – don’t need food and water for long periods
Smuggling - Import
Arboreal Alligator Lizards
Smuggling Export
Species of national concern continuesBirds:• Look alike species – identification issues• CITES App I and II• Wild birds traded as captive bred - Indigenous
seedeaters collected in the wild without permits
• Concealment of eggs
BIRDS: Look alike Species
Appendix II
Appendix I
Species of national concern continuesCycads:• Extinction in the wild due to illegal collection • Export of wild collected plants as artificially
propagated• Plants obtained illegally were “legalized” due
to legislation problems• Operation Cycad – SAPS and SANBI
(operations, marking of cycads, forensic capability)
Cycads
Species of national concern continuesPredators:• Legal exports by means of CITES permits• Lion bone exports – is it sustainable?• By-product of legal hunt/natural mortalities or
killed for export of bones• Captive bred specimens versus wild specimens• Large quantities of bones/carcasses exported• Cross border smuggling of predators (cubs)
LION CARCASSES FROM PERMITS ENDORSED AT ORTIA 2009 - 2014
2009 North West province – 80 carcasses Total 80
2010 North West province – 249 carcasses Total 273 Free State – 24 carcasses
2011 North West province – 449 carcasses Total 554 Free State – 105 carcasses
2012 North West province – 435 carcasses Total 605 Free State – 170 carcasses
2013 North West province – 349 carcasses Gauteng province – 186 carcasses Total 564
Free State – 29 carcasses
2014 Gauteng province – 37 carcasses Total 182 (incomplete permits outstanding)
Free State – 145 carcasses
CITES Export Data for lion bones2008 – 2013 Excluding trophies
2006 Few consignments of 2 floating bones part of trophy.
2007 Few consignments of 2 floating bones part of trophy.
2008 60 Bones, mainly to Vietnam
2009 266 Bones + 500 kg of bones + 169 Carcasses
2010 677 Bones + 287 carcasses
2011 1573 Bones + 574 Carcasses
2012 110 Carcasses + 1573 bones + 738.82 kg
2013 1094 Carcasses + 1097 Bones
Lion Bone ConsignmentORTIA 13 November 2014
1.4 Tonnes
Lion Bones: Packing
Skeletons not properly cleaned
International EngagementsINTERPOL• Member of Advisory Board of Environmental Compliance and
Enforcement Committee• Operations – Worthy, Waylay and Connexus• Three working groups lead projects in specific areas:
– Wildlife Crime WG; Pollution WG; Fisheries WGThe Wildlife Crime Working Group – project focussed on Rhino and Elephant
Regional EngagementsCITES:• Participate in CITES Enforcement activities• Part of Rhino Task Force• Member of the CITES Working Group on:
– Illegal trade in Cheetahs– Illegal trade in Pangolins
Regional EngagementsSouthern African Development Community (SADC)• SADC Anti-poaching Strategy • Wildlife Enforcement Network of Southern Africa:
– establishing a network of national wildlife law enforcement agencies for the SADC region;
– to operationalize existing international, continental, and regional wildlife protection commitments and initiatives, and implement relevant SADC protocols;
Challenges that need to be addressed Sharing of information and use of meaningful intelligence to
lead enforcement activities – central database Need for a national multi-discipline Task Force to fight wildlife
crime Build and retain compliance and enforcement experience to
fight wildlife crime Build an effective global network of compliance and
enforcement officials to fight wildlife crime on a global scale Enable growth and development while enforcing wildlife
compliance
THANK YOU