“Relocating KNP rhinos could help save them”

Hundreds of rhinos could soon be relocated from the Kruger National Park (KNP) to new homes.

On Tuesday, the Minister of Environmental Affairs (DoE), Edna Molewa, announced her department's integrated strategy plan in attempting to deal with the escalating number of poached rhinos. The plan to have rhinos relocated to “safer strongholds outside of the park” was one of many solutions proposed by the DoE. “Relocations from the KNP and the creation of rhino strongholds could allow the total rhino population of South Africa to continue to grow,” she said.

Rhino killings have spiked from 13 in 2007 to 1 004 last year, and are still continuing to increase, despite the deployment of soldiers in the vast nature reserve.

In implementing the relocation of park rhinos, it is expected that about 500 rhinos will be moved. Of these, 260 will allegedly be sold to private buyers, while the rest will be taken to a safe location.

According to the DoE, a survey conducted in 2013 showed the rhino population in the KNP to be about 8 400 black rhinos and 9 600 white rhinos. “Poaching, natural deaths and the translocation of rhino from the KNP presently match rhino births. This means that the rhino population in the KNP has stabilised,” said Minister Molewa.

Despite this, the Minister said that her department was compelled to implement a pro-active anti-poaching initiative. Other interventions include continued efforts to increase rhino numbers through, for example, translocation to low-risk areas, range and population expansion.

New interventions include steps to disrupt crime syndicates by means of better cooperation between the different security departments and organisations, as well as continuous joint operations with key neighbouring countries such as Botswana and Mozambique.

Molewa also added that her department was authorised by the national cabinet, during July 2013, to explore the feasibility of possibly trading in rhino horn as part of a long-term solution. “There is no final decision on this matter … an inter-ministerial committee and panel of experts have been established to consider all possibilities,” said Molewa.

In the meantime, 400 rhinos have been poached in the KNP since the beginning of the year up until 31 July.

News - Date: 15 August 2014

Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

Email: [email protected]