JANIS KINNEAR
Staff Reporter
THE WORLD Wildlife Fund has called for stricter prosecution for rhino poaching, as the practice continues to surge with nearly 200 rhinos killed since the start of the year.
The alarming statistics were revealed by the national parks department.
During the first six months of this year, the country lost 193 rhinos and the Kruger National Park was reported to be the biggest target.
The WWF says if poaching syndicates are not curbed, the number of rhinos killed could exceed last year’s record of 333.
According to the WWF, the rhinos’ horns are used in parts of Asia and are highly valued for the use in traditional medicine.
But it says there has been no scientific proof that rhino horns carry healing properties.
The WWF’s African Rhino Programme Co-ordinator, Dr Joseph Okori, said poachers operated in organised syndicates, using “sophisticated” tactics such as hunting from helicopters and using automated weapons.
“South Africa is fighting a war against organised crime that risks reversing the outstanding conservation gains it made over the past century,” Okori said.
The country is home to some of the largest populations of African rhinos, including white rhinos and critically endangered black rhinos.
As the rate of rhino poaching rapidly increases, more stringent law enforcement measures have seen the arrest of 123 poachers and six convictions this year.
Last year, 165 suspects were nabbed, of whom four were convicted.
WWF South Africa chief operating officer Dr Morné du Plessis said the fund was pleased to see more convictions of poachers.
“Applying strict penalties for wildlife crimes, such as rhino poaching, will demonstrate the South African government’s commitment to maintaining this important part of the country’s heritage,” he said.
The conservation group’s fear grew even more when, in June, Swaziland had its first rhino killed by poachers in nearly 20 years.
In May, the WWF boosted patrolling measures in KwaZulu-Natal by buying an ultralight aircraft for use by rangers.
The WWF has strongly opposed the granting of bail to poaching suspects and believes swifter court proceedings and stricter sentences will serve as a “deterrent”.
Tom Milliken, the Elephant and Rhino Programme co-ordinator of wildlife trade and monitoring group Traffic, said the poaching surge showed no sign of abating.
Together with the WWF, Traffic provides technical assistance to wildlife management authorities and supports greater inter-agency law enforcement co-operation.
He said that only an international “pincer movement”, could nip the crisis in the bud.