Frankfurt, 12 June 2012: An International press conference was held in Frankfurt Germany yesterday to discuss progress and the way forward for South African based projects aimed at stemming the rhino poaching tide. Local Wildlands CEO, Dr Andrew Venter was invited to comment on Rhino, poaching and strategies to curb the poaching statistics, along with Professor Manfred Niekisch and the Frankfurt Zoological Society. The conference was co-ordinated by the Global Nature Fund (GNF -
www.globalnature.org) and aimed to voice international concern around the rapid decline in our rhino populations.
The Global Nature Fund (GNF) is a non-profit organisation with the goal of protecting the environment and nature. The foundation is actively engaged in African countries, including South Africa, where they are partnered with the Wildlands Conservation Trust in an attempt to curb rhino poaching statistics. "We have already lost 235 rhino in 2012. To save the rhino population we need to improve surveillance measures in our national and private reserves," comments Venter. "Through our partnership with GNF we will be able to fit tracking and monitoring devices to all the rhino in the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve."
The GPS transmitters are either inserted into the horns of living rhino or attached through foot collars, enabling active surveillance of the animals. The hope is that this will not only prevent an animal being killed, it will also scare off other potential poachers, whose chances of being caught now increase.
Director of Frankfurt Zoo, Professor Manfred Niekisch recognises the need to educate the East, "We have to stamp out the belief that ground rhino horn heals cancer or increases virility." Trading of the much desired horn is a lucrative business for gangs worldwide. "On the black market one kilo of ground rhino-horn is worth around $ 40,000, almost as much as gold," reported Venter.
People have suggested controlled trade of rhino horn or legalising the trade is the answer, with the potential to lower prices and reduce poaching incidents. "The surveillance systems and measures taken to protect the rhino have to be explicitly improved before we can think of legally trading rhino-horns," mentions Venter. "These standards have to be met, so that a watertight system of tracking and surveillance of the trade flows can be guaranteed. Even if it works in South Africa, it will be much more challenging to implement a system for a regulated and controlled trade in other countries."
Besides technical measures, Wildlands, GNF and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Developmentp have started a new project aimed at developing Somkhanda Community game Reserve into a benchmark example of how Africa’s communities can conserve its unique and seriously threatened wildlife. This reserve is owned by the Gumbi Community and situated in one of the most poverty stricken areas in South Africa.
Through this project displaced African wild dogs will be reintroduced while the White and Black Rhinos that have already been introduced will receive increased protection. The project will also support the development of a diversity of community based eco-tourism initiatives, aimed at improving the sustainability for the reserve.
"The project connects the economic concerns of the Gumbi Community and nature conservation. The introduction of Wild Dog and protection of the Rhino will improve the areas tourism appeal, and the community will benefit from the increasing tourist visits on site," commented Stefan Hörmann, program manager at GNF. International partnerships are critical in order to leverage environmental concerns, as well as improve funding for projects such as Wildlands’ Project Rhino Tracker (GPS tracking and monitoring) and Project Rhino Aerial Support (helicopter and fixed wing surveillance) projects, which both involve significant upfront capital outlay.
Further information:
Wildlands Conservation Trust:
kevinm@wildlands.co.za; Phone: 033 343 6380 / 083 447 0657
Frankfurt Zoo, Dr. Caroline Liefke, mobile: +49 151 12217759
Global Nature Fund, Stefan Hörmann, mobile: +49 160 5321052