More money needed to fight rhino poaching

Catherine Rice | 4 Day(s) Ago

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on Thursday called for more international collaboration in the fight against rhino poaching.

The problem has been growing since 2007 and has been described as a crisis by environmentalists and others.

Statistics suggest rhino are being killed at a rate of one per day.

On Thursday, Parliament held public hearings to examine solutions.

Dr Richard Emslie of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Rhino Management Group said rhino conservation was expensive and it was difficult to raise the funds for it.

“With declining government budgets, it’s difficult to raise funds for conservation,” he said.

Rhino Reality's Galeo Saintz said the issue of demand had to be addressed urgently.

The group is a collaboration of NGOs that aims to dismantle perceptions and beliefs in Asia.

Saintz said they planned to target one billion people.

“We are advocating a change in perception of the mind of the consumer, addressing belief systems, cultural traditions, extreme economics and public will in Asia,” he said.

Saintz said rhino horn in China was seen as an object of prestige and was also used as a fever-reducing medicine.

The Environmental Affairs Department said the illegal trade was worth about $20 billion (around R160 million) annually.

Environmental Affairs Deputy Director-General Fundisile Mketeni said more money needed to be pumped into fencing to protect rhino.

“There’s a discussion that is underway between our department and the Department of Public Works to maintain that fence. We believe if the fence is well maintained, the infrastructure is good, it can work better because we can electrify that fence,” he said.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)