14 May 2014
South Africa and Mozambique held a follow-up meeting in Pretoria on Wednesday after the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on combating rhino poaching and other wildlife crime last month.
A draft implementation plan was discussed at the meeting, which includes initiatives such as anti-poaching measures, fundraising, wildlife trafficking, community development, and raising awareness about the plight of the rhino.
The implementation of the MoU in the field of Biodiversity Conservation and Management is expected to be finalised by the end of July.
The two countries also agreed that the ministers responsible for the implementation of the MoU, South African Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Mozambican Tourism Minister Carvalho Muaria, would meet annually to discuss progress and identify areas for further cooperation.
The steps being taken by the two countries since June 2013 on the matter of cross-border conservation of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area to address rhino poaching include:
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- Maintenance and erection of fencing along the eastern boundary of Kruger National Park with Mozambique;
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- Strengthening of a buffer zone in Mozambique through the establishment of the Greater Lubombo Conservancy;
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- Creation of an intensive protection zone in the Limpopo National Park;
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- Deployment of a well-trained and armed anti-poaching unit for joint collaboration with the Kruger National Park team; and
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- Synchronisation of operational plans between the Limpopo and Kruger National Parks.
A total of 106 people have been arrested for rhino poaching-related offences since January this year.
The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa, having lost 245 rhino so far this year. The only province not affected by poaching this year has been the Northern Cape. A total of 39 rhino have been poached in Limpopo, 37 in KwaZulu-Natal and 26 in North West province.
South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 0860 010 111 or Crime-Line on 32211.
Source: SAnews.gov.za
