“Poaching rates across Africa have decreased by more than 50% since the peak in 2015, but they remain high, at equivalent levels seen at the start of the crisis. Poached horns from South Africa continue to be a key source for the illicit supply chain. Investigations indicate the main consumer market is China where rhino horn is …
Consultation on Conservation and Sustainable Use – South Africa
Banner Image: Courtesy of Michelle Riley HSUS The Minster (Barbara Creecy), the Republic of South Africa, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) has released, for public consultation, a Draft White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biodiversity: Government Notice 2252 of 2022 “South Africa’s Biodiversity 2022: …
South Africa’s Draft Policy Position – Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhinoceros
After last year’s High-Level Panel (HLP) submission process in South Africa, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) released its HLP Report in May 2021. Among many proposals, the DFFE proposes to enhance the conservation of lion and rhino species in the wild by halting their commercially driven domestication/exploitation. …
South Africa’s High Level Panel Report
Banner Image courtesy of Mark Boulton – Elsa Trust and Elsamere The Republic of South Africa’s Cabinet approved the High Level Panel’s (HLP’s) report [High Level Panel Report_15 December 2020] last week, so a briefing for stakeholders was held today, Sunday, 2 May 2021. Minster Creecy (Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and …
World Wildlife Crime Report – Trafficking in Protected Species
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has issued a report, “World Wildlife Crime Report – Trafficking in Protected Species” 2020. “Lion, jaguar and leopard body parts are being increasingly sought as substitutes to tiger products by traffickers, a major UN report has found, but demand for ivory …
Submission to South Africa’s High-Level Panel – elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros
Banner Image courtesy of Mark Boulton – “Lewa Conservancy, Kenya” – Elsa Trust and Elsamere IWB’s Submission to the HLP, Dated 11 June 2020 IWB’s Response to HLP Questions Received, Dated 21 October 2020 The Republic of South Africa, Department: Environmental affairs has issued a “A general notice calling for submissions, …
Zoonotic Diseases of Mass Destruction
Banner image courtesy of artist Olaf Hajek and The New York Times Sunday Review The ‘true’ cost of wildlife abuse – Coronavirus and the viruses to follow…. “If we fail to understand and take care of the natural world, it can cause a breakdown of these systems and come back …
Animal Farm
Banner image courtesy of Mpora – “Rare white lions are considered particularly valuable among trophy hunters, and so are intensively bred – often with detrimental consequences for the gene pool. Photo: Anonymous“ The following article is written in conjunction with Voice4Lions. Why would South Africa’s game breeding industry (the “industry”) seek …
Stop The Slaughter – Close Down Domestic Rhino Horn Markets
Excellent evidence (science) gathered by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA): “Stop The Slaughter – Close Down Domestic Rhino Horn Markets,” EIA, August 2019 This EIA report’s recommendations include urging: “Parties [to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES)] to close all existing domestic markets …
Rhino Horn Trade – Public Consultation
Banner image – © JohanSwanepoel, licensed from Adobe i-stock Barbara Dallas Creecy, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has invited members of the public to submit to the Scientific Authority (South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)), within 30 days from the date of the publication of the notice in the …