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)

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INTEGRATED STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

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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

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• 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


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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.


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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


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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


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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.


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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


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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



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

Documents

Wildlife Crime in South Africa Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs 03 March 2015