Anti-poaching education a priority: EWT

Education could be a potent tool against rhino poaching, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) said on Wednesday.

21 September 2011 | Sapa

JOHANNESBURG - Education could be a potent tool against rhino poaching, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) said on Wednesday.

Through education, government officials, citizens and rhino owners could equip themselves with information about poaching and how to fight it, rhino project manager Kirsty Brebner told reporters in Johannesburg.

For government officials, the trust was rolling out training courses at important rhino horn transportation hotspots like airports and borders. The course covered environmental legislation, species identification and legal procedures.

A fact sheet with accurate information on rhino poaching was available on the EWT's website. The information included detail on the various uses of rhino horn, the market drivers, current trends and various responses by environmental bodies.

For rhino owners and managers, the trust was distributing a guide on how to improve security of their properties to prevent poachers from entering. The guide also provides information on securing crime scenes to improve evidence retrieval and conviction rates.

Brebner said the trust supported debate and discussions around possible solutions to the poaching. People could only participate in the debate if they were educated with credible information and facts, she said.

A total of 287 rhino had been poached in South Africa so far this year. Last year, 333 rhino were illegally poached.

International Rhino Day will be celebrated on Thursday.