WWF - Conservation and environmental news & publications: South Africa

Uganda unveils the world's first Earth Hour forest

2013-03-14

Kampala, Uganda / Singapore: Preparations across the globe kick off for Earth Hour 2013 with the creation of the world's first Earth Hour Forest in the East African nation of Uganda, to fight against the 6,000 hectares of deforestation that occurs in the country every month.

WWF Uganda identified close to 2,700 hectares of degraded land, and set a goal to fill it with at least 500,000 indigenous trees as part of their Earth Hour 2013 campaign. Earth Hour 2013 will take place at 8.30pm on Saturday 23 March.

"We cannot afford to ignore this critical environmental threat we are facing today. So, we are calling upon every individual, business, government agency, friends and family members to join us in planting this new landmark for Uganda's environment," said David Duli, Country Director, WWF Uganda Country Office.

Businesses, government officials and individuals are quickly heeding the call and taking up the challenge set by WWF Uganda to reach their 2013 goal. Leading the way is Standard Chartered Bank - Uganda, which has already committed to plant close to 250,000 trees, and the Ugandan Minister of State for Water and Environment who has personally pledged to plant 1,000 trees.

"Earth Hour 2013 is the rallying point for millions of people in 152 countries and territories across the world to address the climate change challenge. It illustrates that it's within our reach and power to work together for a sustainable future," said Andy Ridley, CEO and co-founder of Earth Hour.

This tree planting initiative is one of thousands of Earth Hour's I Will If You Will challenges taking place worldwide. I Will If You Will is a campaign that encourages everyone to take a positive action for the environment, beyond the Earth Hour hour. In 2012, nearly 10,000 challenges were posted on YouTube.com/EarthHour driving more than 4.6 million people to interact with the challenges and 200,000 to accept challenges on the platform alone.

The action might be a simple lifestyle change or something that leads to political change. It might require 10 people to do something, or 10,000. I Will If You Will allows anybody – from a kid in a classroom to a President of a nation - to become the inspiration to their friends, family, colleagues and communities by sharing what they're willing to do to protect the planet.

Uganda's Earth Hour Forest is the second huge environmental outcome of the I Will If You Will campaign. In December, the Russian Parliament passed a strengthened law to better protect the country's seas from oil pollution after a petition carrying the voices of 122,000 people was successfully presented to the State Duma.

Join the Earth Hour global community and help save the planet at www.earthhour.org/signup.

Earth Hour 2013 will take place at 8.30pm – 9.30pm on Saturday 23 March

-ends-

For further information please contact:

Benjamin Vozzo, Earth Hour Global E:benjamin@earthhour.org Ph: +65 8223 1728

Mai Tatoy, Earth Hour Global, E: mai@earthhour.org Ph: +65 8223 1654

To join the global community head to:

Earth Hour www.earthhour.org

Facebook www.facebook.com/earthhour

Twitter www.twitter.com/earthhour

YouTube www.YouTube.com/EarthHour

Google+ plus.google.com/+EarthHour

Governments fall short on immediate efforts to curb illegal ivory trade at wildlife trade meeting

2013-03-12

Bangkok, Thailand - World governments at the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) on Tuesday opted against immediate trade sanctions against several countries that have repeatedly failed to tackle the trade in ivory.

"We're disappointed by the lack of urgency from governments to speed up the sanctions process against countries that have failed to act for years to curb the illegal ivory trade in their countries, while the slaughter of thousands of elephants continues in Africa," said Carlos Drews, head of WWF's CITES delegation.

"However we will be watching to see that CITES holds these governments to account in the coming year."

Despite an early discussion in CITES on potential trade sanctions against countries failing to regulate their ivory markets, governments did not enact those rules against offenders including Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.

Governments instead directed those countries to identify actions and deadlines to ensure progress in controlling illegal ivory trade before summer 2014, with the potential threat that they could face trade sanctions then if there was no significant improvement in the situation. The nine countries were given just over a year to show improvements in their performance.

"Governments have been aware for years about the lack of compliance by several countries. Forest elephants in Central Africa are declining rapidly and running out of time," Drews said. "We hope governments will speed up compliance measures against countries flouting restrictions on the ivory trade."

The worst offenders, including top demand countries China and Thailand, the host country for the meeting, as well as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malaysia, Philippines and Viet Nam, are expected to be discussed in a separate session on Thursday.

"We hope that governments will take a stronger stance against these countries considered the biggest problems when it comes to the illegal ivory trade, and that should include much more urgency than we saw today," Drews said.

Under treaty rules, CITES member states can recommend that parties stop trading with non-compliant countries in the 35,000 species covered under the convention, from orchids to crocodile skins.

Tuesday's decisions came as poaching of elephants has reached crisis levels. Up to 30,000 elephants are slaughtered every year to feed the illegal ivory trade. The ivory trade has been regulated under CITES since the early 1970s.

There were, however, several other measures adopted by governments to help curb the illegal ivory trade, including:

The creation of an Ivory Enforcement Task Force, which will allow for better law enforcement collaboration between countries
Better DNA-based forensic techniques to identify the origin of confiscated ivory
An acknowledgement of the need for demand reduction campaigns on ivory

For further information please contact:
Ian Morrison, ian.morrison@wwfus.org, +1 202 372 6373, +66 90 414 3853
Chris Chaplin, cchaplin@wwf.sg, +65 9826 3802

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Additional CITES media materials are available at www.panda.org/citesmedia . For updates from the conference follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.

WWF statement on rhinos at CITES

2013-03-12

Carlos Drews, head of WWF's delegation at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) issued the following statement today in response to decisions from world governments to offer better protection for rhinos:

"Governments today made a clear choice at CITES to offer more protection to rhinos by agreeing on timelines that will help two of the worst offenders in the rhino horn trade, Viet Nam and Mozambique, clean up their act.

"This is a big step forward for the protection of rhinos, a prehistoric animal that are being butchered for their horns at alarming rates to feed demand primarily in Viet Nam.

"A record 668 South African rhinos were killed by poachers last year, and close to 150 have died so far in 2013 - we're already moving at a pace that could see even more rhinos killed for their horns than last year.

"The challenge now is to ensure that Viet Nam and Mozambique make progress on their CITES commitments within the agreed time frame to avoid trade sanctions in the summer of 2014."

Viet Nam is the main destination for rhino horn and is now required to implement a strategy to reduce demand in the country and ensure horn traffickers are prosecuted and strongly punished.

Today's success also means that Mozambique, a major transit country for rhino horn, must strengthen legislation and enforcement to reduce trade flows exiting the African continent. It is currently only a misdemeanour to smuggle rhino horns through Mozambique. The country shares a border with South Africa's Kruger National Park, home to most of the world's rhinos and also the epicentre of illegal killing.

Rhino poaching has hit record highs and is currently exacerbated by increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. There is also a marked increase in consumption in Vietnam, fuelled by claims that rhino horn cures cancer and hangovers.

For further information:
Ian Morrison, ian.morrison@wwfus.org, (US) +1 202 372 6373, (Bangkok) +66 904 143 853
Chris Chaplin, cchaplin@wwf.sg, +65 9826 3802

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

www.panda.org/news for latest news and media resources

All eyes on countries fuelling illegal ivory trade

2013-02-21

The international body that regulates wildlife trade should begin proceedings to impose sanctions on the countries most complicit in the illegal trade of ivory, which causes the deaths of up to 30,000 African elephants each year.

WWF and TRAFFIC are urging the 177 governments gathering in Bangkok early next month under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to begin a formal procedure that would lead to strict trade restrictions against the worst offenders in the illicit ivory trade.

Evidence shows that Thailand, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have failed repeatedly to address their rampant domestic ivory markets despite CITES rules that outlaw the unregulated sale of ivory. Under treaty rules, CITES member states can recommend that parties stop trading with non-compliant countries in the 35,000 species covered under the convention, from timbers to crocodile skins.

"These countries have been identified in every ivory trade analysis for the past decade as those most implicated in the illicit ivory trade," said Steven Broad, Executive Director of TRAFFIC. "With the demand for ivory driving a widespread poaching crisis, CITES member countries must demand compliance with international law."

In Thailand, the host country for the CITES conference and one of the world's largest unregulated ivory markets, criminals are taking advantage of Thai laws allowing the sale of ivory from domestic elephants to launder massive quantities of illegal African ivory through Thai shops. Much of this ivory is purchased by foreign tourists.

"Thailand can easily fix this situation by banning all ivory sales in the country, and in doing so would eliminate the need for trade sanctions," said Carlos Drews, Director of WWF's Global Species Programme. "WWF is petitioning the Thai prime minister for an immediate ban on ivory trade. Nearly 400,000 people from Thailand and across the world who want a future for wild elephants have joined this call."

"Elephants are disappearing from more and more places in Africa because the ivory trade has exploded out of control. Every country that has signed the CITES treaty has a responsibility to protect elephants by holding member governments accountable for their involvement in this deadly trade," Drews said.

TAKE ACTION NOW! TELL THE THAI PRIME MINISTER TO BAN IVORY

WWF and TRAFFIC are also urging China to rectify serious issues with enforcement of its legal domestic ivory markets. CITES should require that improvements be made in China, and should consider imposing trade restrictions next year if significant progress is not made.

There are also some measures that all countries could take to help address elephant poaching, say WWF and TRAFFIC. They include the establishment of a mechanism to track global ivory stockpiles, the compulsory registration of all large scale ivory seizures, and routine forensic examination and follow-up investigative collaboration by enforcement officers across continents.

"Currently, vital information from large-scale ivory seizures is being lost or not acted upon. Investigations into who was behind each shipment, how it got onto the transportation used, and who was going to benefit from its arrival is not being sought or acted upon. It's little wonder there's been an escalation in ivory trafficking," Broad said.

The plight of Africa's rhinos is also cause for concern to WWF and TRAFFIC. A record 668 South African rhinos were killed for their horns last year. Viet Nam has been identified as the primary consumer country for rhino horn yet has done little to stop traffickers.

Both Viet Nam and rhino horn smuggling hub Mozambique should be pressed at the CITES meeting to demonstrate progress over the coming months or face future actions.

Rhino poaching toll reaches new high

2013-01-10

Rhino poaching statistics released today by the South African government reveal that a record 668 rhinos were killed across the country in 2012, an increase of nearly 50 per cent from the 448 rhinos lost to poachers in 2011. An additional five rhinos have been killed since the beginning of this year.

A majority of the rhino deaths, 425, occurred in Kruger National Park, South Africa's premier safari destination. Poaching incidents in Kruger rose sharply from 252 in 2011.

Arrests of suspected poachers and smugglers also increased in 2012, with 267 people now facing rhino-related charges. In November, a Thai man was sentenced to a record 40 years in prison for conspiring to smuggle rhino horns to Asia.

A recent TRAFFIC report found that rhino horns are believed to have medicinal properties and are seen as highly desirable status symbols in some Asian countries, notably Viet Nam. The increased value of rhino horn has enticed well-organized, well-financed and highly-mobile criminal groups to become involved in rhino poaching.

"Viet Nam must curtail the nation's rhino horn habit, which is fuelling a poaching crisis in South Africa," said Sabri Zain, TRAFFIC's Director of Advocacy.

"Rhinos are being illegally killed, their horns hacked off and the animals left to bleed to death, all for the frivolous use of their horns as a hangover cure."

In December, Viet Nam and South Africa signed an agreement aimed at bolstering law enforcement and tackling illegal wildlife trade including rhino horn trafficking. The agreement paves the way for improved intelligence information sharing and joint efforts by the two nations to crack down on the criminal syndicates behind the smuggling networks.

"Whilst we commend South Africa and Viet Nam for signing a Memorandum of Understanding regarding biodiversity conservation, we now need to see a joint Rhino Plan of Action being implemented, leading to more of these rhino horn seizures," said Dr Jo Shaw, WWF-SA's Rhino Co-ordinator. "There is also an urgent need to work closely with countries which are transit routes for illicit rhino horn, specifically Mozambique."

Two Vietnamese men were detained in separate incidents earlier this month in Viet Nam and Thailand for smuggling rhino horns, which were believed to have been exported from Mozambique.

Both Mozambique and Viet Nam have been given failing grades by WWF's Wildlife Crime Scorecard for failing to enforce laws meant to protect rhinos. The study also outlines important actions needed by South Africa, such as ensuring those arrested for rhino crimes are prosecuted and punished.

แอฟริกาใต้และเวียดนามลงนามข้อตกลงใหม่ จุดเปลี่ยนวิกฤตลักลอบล่าแรด

2012-12-13

ฮานอย เวียดนาม 10 ธันวาคม - ช่วงเวลาที่สำคัญยิ่งสำหรับความพยายามต่อสู้กับวิกฤตลักลอบล่าแรดในปัจจุบัน เกิดขึ้นในวันนี้ เมื่อรัฐบาลแอฟริกาใต้และเวียดนาม ลงนามในบันทึกความเข้าใจเพื่อพัฒนาความร่วมมือระหว่างสองประเทศ ด้านการอนุรักษ์และปกป้องความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพ ซึ่งรวมไปถึงการจัดการกับปัญหาลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่า

บันทึกความเข้าใจ (MoU) ฉบับนี้ มีการลงนามโดย ฯพณฯ เอ็ดนา โมลีวา รัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงน้ำและสิ่งแวดล้อมแห่งแอฟริกาใต้ และ ฯพณฯ กาว ดึก ฟ๊าต รัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงการพัฒนาการเกษตรและชนบท ประเทศเวียดนาม ในช่วงที่รัฐมนตรีโมลีวา เดินทางเยือนเวียดนาม ใจความหลักของความร่วมมือที่ร่างไว้ในบันทึกความเข้าใจฉบับนี้ มีทั้งเรื่อง การบริหารจัดการความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพ การอนุรักษ์ การปกป้อง การบังคับใช้กฏหมาย และการปฏิบัติตามอนุสัญญา CITES รวมไปถึงกฏหมายและอนุสัญญาอื่นๆที่เกี่ยวข้อง และเพื่อความเท่าเทียมรวมทั้งเพื่อประโยชน์ของทั้งสองฝ่าย บันทึกความเข้าใจฉบับนี้ จึงมีผลบังคับใช้ในวันที่ลงนาม รวมทั้งมีการบันทึกช่วยจำโดยเจาะจง ว่าปัญหาการลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่ายังคง เป็นปัญหาในระดับโลก ฯพณฯ โมลีวากล่าวถ้อยแถลงระหว่างพิธีลงนามว่า "แอฟริกาใต้ หวังที่จะได้รับความร่วมมืออย่างใกล้ชิดจากเวียดนาม เพื่อช่วยกันหยุดยั้งการลักลอบค้านอแรดจากแอฟริกาที่มาขายในเวียดนาม"

ทางด้าน ฯพณฯ กาว ดึก ฟ๊าต รัฐมนตรีกระทรวงการพัฒนาการเกษตรและชนบทของเวียดนาม ก็ยอมรับถึงความสำคัญในการ ร่วมมือระหว่างสองประเทศ โดยระบุว่า "ข้อกำหนดด้านการการต่อสู้กับอาชญากรรมสัตว์ป่า โดยเฉพาะต่อสายพันธุ์ที่หายาก ทรงคุณค่า และเสี่ยงที่จะสูญพันธุ์ ซึ่งรวมไปถึงแรดและสัตว์ในตระกูลเดียวกันนั้น เป็นสิ่งที่รัฐบาลเวียดนามให้ความสนใจมา โดยตลอด" เขากล่าวเน้นย้ำ "กระทรวงการพัฒนาการเกษตรและชนบท ร่วมมือกับกระทรวงและหน่วยงานที่เกี่ยวข้อง ได้ยื่น เสนอต่อนายกรัฐมนตรี เพื่อออกข้อกำหนดเพื่อห้ามการนำเข้าสินค้าทุกชนิดที่เกี่ยวข้องกับแรดมาสู่เวียดนาม ในปี 2555"

แม้บันทึกความเข้าใจระหว่างแอฟริกาใต้กับเวียดนาม จะมีการกล่าวเพียงประเด็นกว้างๆ ในการแก้ไขปัญหาการลักลอบเคลื่อน ย้ายสัตว์ป่า แต่ก็มีข้อบ่งชี้ที่ชัดเจน ว่าการลักลอบค้านอแรด จะเป็นประเด็นหลักของความร่วมมือระหว่างทั้งสองประเทศ

"WWF และ TRAFFIC ขอตอบรับข้อตกลงใหม่นี้ ซึ่งเปรียบได้กับจุดเปลี่ยนในความพยายามเพื่อปกป้องแรดแอฟริกา และหวัง อย่างยิ่งว่าจะได้เห็นการปฏิบัติจริงของทั้งสองประเทศในภายภาคหน้า เพื่อยุติวิกฤตลักลอบล่าแรดในขณะนี้" สจ๊วต แชฟแมน ผู้อำนวยการโครงการอนุรักษ์ภูมิภาคลุ่มน้ำโขง WWF กล่าว"แอฟริกาใต้และเวียดนาม ต่างส่งสัญญาณต่อสาธารณะถึงความตั้งใจที่จะเอาจริงกับเครือข่ายอาชญากรรมที่อยู่เบื้องหลังการ ลักลอบล่าแรดอย่างได้ใจเหล่านี้" แชปแมน กล่าวต่อ ปัจจุบันมีแรดในแอฟริการใต้ถูกล่าปีละหลายร้อยตัว พวกมันถูกตัดนอ และลักลอบขนส่งมายังเวียดนาม เพื่อรองรับความต้อง การที่พุ่งสูง เพราะที่นี่ต้องการนอแรดมาทำ "ยาวิเศษ" ตามความเชื่อ แม้จะไม่มีหลักฐานทางการแพทย์มารองรับ

ว่ากันว่าเครือข่ายอาชญากรรมในเอเชีย อยู่เบื้องหลังการก่อเหตุเหล่านี้เป็นส่วนใหญ่ โดยมีการจ่ายเงินให้คนส่งของลักลอบนำ นอแรดจากแอฟริกามายังเอเชีย และตกอยู่ในมือของชาวเวียดนามที่มีฐานะร่ำรวย ซึ่งในรายงานของ TRAFFIC ที่เพิ่งเผยแพร่ เมื่อเดือนสิงหาคมปีนี้ ชี้ให้เห็นว่าเวียดนามเป็นจุดหมายปลายทางสำคัญสำหรับนอแรดผิดกฏหมายเหล่านี้

จำนวนแรดที่ถูกล่าในแอฟริการใต้ พุ่งสูงขึ้นจาก 13 ตัวในปี 2550 เป็นกว่า 600 ตัวในปี 2555 นอกจากนี้ ในปี 2555 เพียงปี เดียว มีรายงานผู้ที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการลักลอบล่าแรดและการลักลอบขายนอแรดในแอฟริกาใต้ถูกจับกุมถึง 246 คน

ในปี 2553 TRAFFIC ประสานจัดการประชุมระหว่างเจ้าหน้าที่รักษากฏหมายของแอฟริกาใต้ และเพื่อนร่วมสายงานใน เวียดนาม เพื่อสร้างความเชื่อมโยงระหว่างสองประเทศ ในความพยายามครั้งสำคัญเพื่อแก้วิกฤตนอแรด การประชุมในครั้งนั้น และการเดินทางเยือนแอฟริกาใต้โดยคณะเจ้าหน้าที่เวียดนามในภายหลัง กลายเป็นรากฐานของการจัดทำข้อตกลงระหว่าง รัฐบาลของทั้งสองประเทศในวันนี้

"การลักลอบล่าแรด เป็นประเด็นร้อนด้านการอนุรักษ์ และการให้คำมั่นต่อสาธารณะของรัฐบาลทั้งสองประเทศ ผ่านพิธีลงนาม ในวันนี้ เราได้เห็นจุดเริ่มต้นที่สดใสในการปฏิบัติงานร่วมกัน และขณะนี้ก็จำเป็นจะต้องทำข้อตกลงให้เป็นการปฏิบัติอย่างเร่ง ด่วน เพื่อหยุดยั้งวิกฤตการณ์นี้" ดร.นาโอมิ โดค ผู้ประสานงานโครงการ TRAFFIC เอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ - ลุ่มน้ำโขงกล่าว"ตอนนี้ประชากรแรดของโลกกำลังแขวนอยู่บนเส้นด้าย และวันนี้ก็สบโอกาสที่จะขีดเส้นชีวิตใหม่ไปให้พวกมันแล้ว" ดร.โดค กล่าวปิดท้าย

###

WWF และพันธมิตร TRAFFIC เครือข่ายสังเกตการณ์สัตว์ป่า ร่วมกันรณรงค์เพื่อให้มีการปกป้องสัตว์ที่เสี่ยงจะสูญพันธุ์ เช่น แรด เสือและช้าง ให้มากยิ่งขึ้น และเพื่อเป็นการรักษาสัตว์ที่ใกล้จะสูญพันธุ์นี้ ประเทศต่างๆที่เป็นต้นทาง ทางผ่าน และปลาย ทาง จะต้องปรับปรุงเรื่องความร่วมมือ การบังคับใช้กฏหมาย การตรวจศุลกากร และระบบยุติธรรม WWF และ TRAFFIC ยัง เรียกร้องให้รัฐบาลประเทศต่างๆ ใช้ความพยายามเพื่อลดความต้องการบริโภค เพื่อจำกัดการใช้สินค้าที่ได้จากสัตว์ที่เสี่ยงต่อการสูญพันธุ์

New agreement between South Africa and Vietnam - A turning point in tackling rhino poaching crisis, say WWF, TRAFFIC

2012-12-10

New agreement between South Africa and Viet Nam - A turning point in tackling rhino poaching crisis, say WWF, TRAFFIC

2012-12-10

Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 10th December — A pivotal moment in efforts to tackle the current rhino poaching crisis took place today as the governments of South Africa and Viet Nam signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve co-operation between the two states on biodiversity conservation and protection including tackling illegal wildlife trafficking.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by H.E. Edna Molewa, Minister for the South African Department of Water and Environmental Affairs and H.E. Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam during a visit by Minister Molewa to Viet Nam. The main elements of co-operation outlined in the MoU include the field of biodiversity management, conservation, protection, law enforcement, compliance with CITES and other relevant legislation and Conventions. Based on equality and mutual benefit it comes into force on the date of signature and notes specifically that illegal wildlife trafficking remains a global challenge.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Edna Molewa said: "South Africa is looking forward to receiving the close co-operation from Vietnamese partners to stop the illegal trade of rhino horns from South Africa to Vietnam."

H.E. Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam also recognised the importance of co-operation between the two countries, stating that: "Fighting against crime on wildlife regulations especially on the rare, precious and endangered species including rhinos and its derivatives are always of concern to the Vietnam government."

He stressed: "The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in co-operation with related ministries and agencies, are submitting the Prime Minister to issue a Decision on banning the import of all rhino specimens to Vietnam in 2012."

Although the MoU between South Africa and Viet Nam refers only in general terms to addressing illegal wildlife smuggling, there are clear indications that rhino horn trafficking will be top of the new agenda on co-operation between the two nations.

"WWF and TRAFFIC welcome the new agreement, which marks a turning point in efforts to protect Africa's rhinos and look forward to seeing action being undertaken by both countries to end the current rhino poaching crisis," said Stuart Chapman, WWF-Greater Mekong Conservation Director.

"South Africa and Viet Nam have publicly signalled their intention to get tough on the criminal syndicates behind the rhino poaching spree," said Chapman.

Currently hundreds of rhinos are being poached each year in South Africa, their horns hacked off and smuggled to meet the soaring demand in Viet Nam, where rhino horn is in demand as a supposed "miracle medicine", despite a lack of supporting medical evidence.

Asian-run criminal syndicates are believed to be behind much of the crime, with couriers paid to smuggle poached horns from Africa to Asia, where they end up in the hands of wealthy Vietnamese. TRAFFIC's report released in August 2012 identified Viet Nam as the prime destination for much of the illegal rhino horn.

Rhino poaching numbers in South Africa have surged from 13 in 2007, to over 600 in 2012. In addition, there have been 246 people arrested in connection with the poaching of rhinos and the illegal trade of rhino horn in South Africa in 2012 alone.

In 2010, TRAFFIC convened a meeting between South African enforcement officials and their counterparts in Viet Nam to establish links between the two as part of a major effort to address the rhino horn crisis. This meeting and a subsequent return visit by Vietnamese officials to South Africa, laid the foundation for today's intergovernmental agreement.

"Rhino poaching is a key burning conservation issue, and through the public commitments of the two governments at this signing ceremony today, we have seen promising beginnings of collaborative action. This commitment now needs to be turned into urgent action to turn the crisis around," said Dr. Naomi Doak, Coordinator of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia–Greater Mekong Programme.

"The world's rhino populations are hanging by a thread, and today the opportunity was taken to throw them another lifeline," said Dr. Doak.

###

WWF and its partner TRAFFIC, the wildlife monitoring network, are campaigning for greater protection of threatened species such as rhinos, tigers and elephants. In order to save endangered animals, source, transit and demand countries must all improve co-operation, law enforcement, customs controls and judicial systems. WWF and TRAFFIC are also urging governments to undertake demand reduction efforts to curb the use of endangered species products.

For further information or to schedule an interview with WWF or TRAFFIC, please contact:

WWF-Viet Nam and TRAFFIC in Viet Nam:
Tu, Nguyen Thi
WWF-Viet Nam
Email: tu.nguyenthi@wwfgreatermekong.org, Mob: +84 914419174

Brett Tolman
TRAFFIC Southeast Asia – Greater Mekong Programme
Email: brett.tolman@traffic.org, Mob: +84 1678020765

WWF International and TRAFFIC International:

Elisabeth McLellan
WWF International
Email: LMcLellan@wwfint.org,
Tel.: Mob : +41 79 212 9312

Richard Thomas
TRAFFIC International
Email: richard.thomas@traffic.org
Tel.: +44 752 6646 216

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with more than 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

About TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

To learn more about WWF and TRAFFIC's campaign visit panda.org/killthetrade and follow us on Twitter @WWF_media, and www.facebook.com/vietnamWWF

Major rhino horn trader sentenced to 40 years behind bars

2012-11-09

A Thai national, Chumlong Lemtongthai, has been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for his involvement in the illegal trade of rhino horns from South Africa.

This is the harshest sentence given for a wildlife crime in the country to-date. Lemongthai pleaded guilty to charges relating to the illegal export of rhino horns in Johannesburg's Kempton Park Magistrate's Court earlier this week. WWF-South Africa (WWF-SA) applauds the efforts of the South African Revenue Services and other law enforcement agencies for the successful arrest, prosecution and sentencing of the highest-ranking rhino syndicate member to be brought to book in South Africa.

"It is so important that all those involved in rhino crimes receive sentences which match the severity of their actions to form an effective deterrent to others", says Dr Jo Shaw, Rhino Co-ordinator for WWF-SA. "These higher-level arrests and convictions are critical to disrupting the illegal trade chains used to move rhino horns into illicit markets in Asia".

Lemtongthai played a principal role in a syndicate which used white rhino trophy hunts in South Africa to obtain horns to trade in the Asian black markets, a practice known as "pseudo-hunting". During court proceedings, Lemtongthai confessed that the hunters were a front for exporting rhino horn for commercial trade and not for trophies. His syndicate enlisted people from Asia to pose as hunters and participate in white rhino trophy hunts on game farms in the North West province. In response, the South African government updated legislation to clamp down on such loopholes, including a ban on rhino hunting by Vietnamese Nationals since April 2012.

In a statement to the court, Lemtongthai said, "I humbly apologise to the court and to the people of South Africa for my role in this matter. I appreciate that the emotions of all animal lovers in South Africa are running very high and that I was part of the problem."

However, it is of concern that all charges against Lemtongthai's co-accused (three South African and two other Asian nationals) were withdrawn without explanation. Sadly, this does not send a similarly strong message regarding South Africa's attitude to the ongoing involvement of its own citizens in rhino crimes.

This case and recent rhino poaching incidents in the North West Province highlight the ways in which criminal elements are abusing the permit system in their quest for rhino horn. There remains an urgent need for the South African government to implement a national electronic permit system to centralise and better monitor this information. WWF also calls for greater collaboration between South Africa and Asia in monitoring rhino horn trophy exports to prevent them being drawn into illegal trade.

A record 528 rhinos have been killed in South Africa so far this year.

Record poaching drives rhinos toward tipping point

2012-10-16

Cape Town – Rhino poaching statistics released today by South African authorities show that a record 455 rhinos have been lost to poaching already in 2012. The number exceeds the 448 rhinos killed for their horns during the whole of 2011.

"The most recent figure is disappointing as last year's total has already been exceeded by mid-October. World-famous safari destination Kruger National Park continues to be the hardest hit by poachers with 272 rhinos killed to-date," said Dr Jo Shaw, WWF-South Africa's Rhino Co-ordinator.

Rhino poaching rates have increased rapidly since 2007 as new markets for rhino horn have emerged in Asia, primarily in Viet Nam. Rhino horn has recently been touted as a hangover cure and treatment for terminal illnesses, according to a report by WWF's partner TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.

"It is critical for the South African government to engage with consumer countries and to fight against international syndicates involved in illegal rhino horn trade. WWF is concerned that the Memorandum of Understanding with Viet Nam for collaborative action against illegal rhino horn trade remains unsigned. There is also an urgent need for law enforcement actions by neighbouring countries which are implicated as transit routes for illegal trade in rhino horn, specifically Mozambique," Shaw said.

The number of arrests for rhino crimes has increased this year in South Africa, with 207 poachers, middlemen and couriers taken into police custody. WWF commends the South African government and law enforcement authorities for their continued efforts to help curb illegal wildlife trade, but believes there is no room for complacency.

A major alleged rhino poaching syndicate, the so-called 'Groenewald Gang', is due to appear in a South African court Friday. The group, consisting of a safari tour operator, veterinarians, professional hunters and a helicopter pilot, is facing charges related to the killing of 20 rhinos who were found without their horns.

"The world is watching to see that South Africa is prepared to prosecute rhino crimes to the fullest extent of the law and take these crimes seriously as an affront to South Africa's national heritage," Shaw said.

WWF is calling on governments implicated in the illegal trade of wildlife products such as rhino horn to increase law enforcement, impose strong deterrents and conduct widespread demand reduction campaigns to discourage the consumption of endangered species products.

WWF is also helping to ensure that existing rhino populations grow as quickly as possible. Earlier this month, WWF flew 13 rhinos to new homes as part of a range expansion project that has established eight new black rhino populations in South Africa. There are fewer than 5,000 of the critically endangered animals remaining.

"To-date, rhino numbers continue to grow in South Africa as more rhinos are being born than are dying, even when poaching mortalities are taken into account," Shaw said. "However, we are approaching the critical tipping point where rhino numbers go into decline and would undermine conservation efforts."

WWF takes extreme measures to save rhinos

2012-10-14

To secure critically endangered black rhinos from poaching and encourage rapid breeding, WWF has flown 13 to new homes this month.

Since 2003, WWF's Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) has helped create eight new populations in an effort to increase the number of rhinos in South Africa. These populations reside in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo on land totalling over 160,000 hectares.

Dr Jacques Flamand, the head of BRREP, says, "More than 130 black rhino have been moved to new homes, while over 40 calves have been born on project sites."

Translocating rhinos requires dedicated, skilled teams, who constantly work to improve their translocation methods in an effort to reduce the stress caused to the animals. Flamand explains that during the latest translocation blood samples were taken for testing to ensure that airlifting sedated rhinos for short distances by their ankles does not stress the animals at all.

"We believe this is the best way to move rhinos as it does not compromise their breathing and reduces the distance and time they have to travel by truck over difficult terrain. While indications are that it does not harm the animals, we want to be absolutely sure," adds Flamand.

Flamand has dedicated the last ten years to creating new populations to help boost black rhino numbers. He explains, "People have caused the decline in rhino numbers and, as people, it is up to us to reverse the trend. If we do nothing, they will disappear and I'd hate for that tragedy to happen in my lifetime."

Already this year 430 South African rhinos have been killed by poachers. Rhino horns are in demand in Asia, particularly Viet Nam. The country lost its last rhino to poaching in 2010.

WWF supporters visit the frontline with interactive Africam.com snapshot experience

2012-10-02

Poaching and illegal wildlife trade are an extremely dangerous threats to rhinos, elephants and tigers and to combat this crisis WWF has launched a global campaign to bring awareness to the issue. During the month of October, WWF will be partnering with Africam to spread the #killthetrade message through an interactive online wildlife photo sharing experience on the Africam.com website.

WWF's campaign is mobilizing millions of voices against wildlife crime and Africam is allowing the online community to be virtually transported to those front lines by means of their LIVE safari channels.

Once there, a viewer can take a snapshot of an elephant or other animals that they see on the LIVE cameras, and then share those photos via social networks or email. Each image is stamped with the WWF #killthetrade Twitter hashtag and links to more information about the dangers facing these creatures. Users can also sign up for wildlife alerts, which will send them a message on Facebook or Twitter as soon as animals appear on one of the LIVE channels.

The goal of the project is to allow almost anyone to participate in bringing awareness to the cause. All you need is an internet connection to make the trip to the African bush. Once there you'll have the means to capture your own wildlife photograph and share it with the rest of the world. With only a few clicks you will have joined the million voices against illegal wildlife trade and truly taken action to make a difference.

WWF contact: Alona Rivord, arivord@wwfint.org, +41 79 959 1963

Africam.com contact: Paul Penzhorn paulp@africam.com +27 825598478

Viet Nam acknowledges severity of rhino trade

2012-09-20

Hanoi – WWF and TRAFFIC, in advance of World Rhino Day Saturday, are calling on Viet Nam to increase efforts to address the illegal trade of rhino horn, which is threatening rhino populations in both Africa and Asia. Already this year, 381 South African rhinos have been poached to meet demand in Asian consumer markets, particularly Viet Nam.

"Viet Nam used to be a range country of rhinos. The extinction of the presumably last Javan rhino in Cat Tien National Park in 2010 was a big lesson for protecting endangered wildlife," said Dr. Nguyen Ba Ngai, Deputy Director General of Viet Nam's Administration of Forestry, Agriculture and Rural Development.

"The demand for rhino horn is the main reason for the fact that rhinos are being poached all days and nights and illegally cross-border traded with the involvement of international crime organizations. To join hands with global efforts Viet Nam has been closely working with related agencies to strengthen the law enforcement and enhance awareness of the whole society to combat against illegal trade in wildlife," he said.

WWF-Viet Nam and officials of Viet Nam's CITES management authority today are bringing together government representatives from Viet Nam, South Africa and the United States, as well as traditional medicine experts, to examine global efforts to conserve rhinos.

"Rhino horns don't belong in a wall or in a misguided pharmacy. They belong on a healthy rhino living in its natural habitat," said Laura Stone, Economic Counsellor at the United States embassy in Hanoi. "World Rhino Day is a great opportunity to dispel the myths related to rhino horn."

"We hope today's meeting will explore effective ways to tackle the difficult issue of rising demand for rhino horn in Viet Nam," said Sabri Zain, TRAFFIC's Advocacy Director.

This August, WWF and TRAFFIC launched a global campaign calling governments worldwide to combat illegal wildlife trade and reduce demand for rhino horns, elephant ivory and tiger parts. In Viet Nam, WWF and TRAFFIC are working with government agencies on strategies to reduce rhino horn consumption and are calling for stronger law enforcement to tackle illegal horn trade.

"WWF urges Viet Nam and South Africa to formalize their joint commitment to stopping rhino horn trade by signing a memorandum of understanding at the highest political level," said Elisabeth McLellan, Species Programme Manager for WWF. "Words are not enough to end the killing of rhinos and trafficking of their horns. Both countries need to do more by putting promises into action."

South Africa is home to most of the world's rhinos, and Thursday WWF-South Africa unveiled new plans for tackling the biggest challenges to their survival. The strategy will focus largely on supporting efforts to reduce demand for rhino horn in Asia, bolstering the ability of investigators to gather forensic evidence for trials, and encouraging community participation in conservation.

"The rhino is of tremendous value to South Africa because it is part of what we call the Big Five, which comprise the buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino," Political Counsellor Nontatu Skolo of the South African embassy in Hanoi said at Thursday's meeting. "Our tourism depends on our wildlife and in particular on the Big Five. Rhino poaching is therefore also doing great harm to our tourism."

World Rhino Day was initiated by WWF-South Africa in 2010 with an aim to raise awareness of the plight of the animals. Some rhino species are facing the threat of extinction due to poaching of their horns to meet increasing demand in the Asian market.

TRAFFIC: "Loose horns", surging demand and easy money create "perfect storm" for rhino poaching

2012-08-21

Johannesburg, South Africa— A comprehensive new TRAFFIC report into the rhino poaching crisis in South Africa documents how poor compliance over rhino horn stockpile management, loopholes in sport hunting policy, and surging demand for horn in Viet Nam created ideal conditions for the involvement of sophisticated criminal networks, leading to a dramatic escalation in poaching in southern Africa.

Fake trophy hunts

According to the 176-page study, The South Africa—Viet Nam Rhino Horn Trade Nexus: A deadly combination of institutional lapses, corrupt wildlife industry professionals and Asian crime syndicates, as early as 2003, visitors from Viet Nam were regularly taking part in "pseudo hunts" for white rhino trophies in South Africa, interested not in the hunt itself but only in the horn; some of those participating in the hunting reportedly did not even know how to shoot a gun.

"A decade ago the first signs were on the horizon of the forthcoming rhino poaching crisis, but few then could have foreseen the magnitude and ramifications of what we face today," said Dr Jo Shaw, a Programme Officer with TRAFFIC and a co-author of the report.

"However, with the surging demand from Asia, people willing to pay high prices to get their hands on rhino horn, and little fear of capture by those smuggling horn, it was perhaps inevitable that this 'commodity' would catch the attention of the hardened criminal fraternity, creating a 'perfect storm' for rhino poaching and horn trade."

Although South Africa soon enacted a range of regulations to stamp out "pseudo hunting", in response resourceful horn traders began recruiting others, including Thai sex-workers as "hunters", to circumvent the new rules.

Meanwhile, criminals increasingly turned to other sources for horns: in recent years at least 65 rhino horns have been stolen from public display within South Africa with similar thefts carried out in the US and in Europe.

In 2009, the government of South Africa placed a moratorium on national sales of rhino horns to prevent unregistered stocks, so-called "loose horns", from leaking into trade—all international commercial trade in rhino products is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Law-breaking wildlife industry individuals have since been convicted, with harsh prison sentences handed out for illegally dehorning live rhinos and the subsequent sale of the horns to Asian buyers. In April 2012, South Africa suspended the issuance of hunting licences to all Vietnamese nationals while also introducing other changes to tighten the loopholes allowing "pseudo hunts".

"The web of complicity has even drawn in a small number of rogue game ranch owners, professional hunters and wildlife veterinarians, adding a new and challenging dimension to the rhino poaching crisis," said Shaw.

Record poaching rates

Rangers in South Africa are putting their lives in jeopardy protecting the continent's rhinos. Although more and more resources are being expended to protect the nation's rhinos, South Africa has witnessed a rapid escalation in poaching of live animals, rising from 13 in 2007 to 83 (2008); 122 (2009); 333 (2010) to a record 448 rhinos in 2011. In early 2012, almost two rhinos were being poached every day. By 17th July this year, the total stood at 281 rhinos, with a predicted loss of 515 by year end if current poaching rates continue.

South Africa has witnessed a rising spiral of organized, violent rhino-related criminal activity, with hard-pressed authorities hitting back with increased enforcement efforts.

By 17th July this year, there had been more arrests (176) in South Africa for rhino-related crime than in all of 2010 (165), with middlemen and those higher up the trade chain increasingly being collared, including a number of high-level arrests of Vietnamese nationals since May 2012. Rhino crime syndicates in South Africa have been linked to other criminal activities such as drug and diamond smuggling, human trafficking and illegal trade in other wildlife products such as elephant ivory and abalone.

Of 43 documented arrests of Asian nationals for rhino crimes in South Africa, 24 have been Vietnamese (56%) and 13 Chinese (28%), with the remainder from Thailand and Malaysia. Furthermore, at least three officials based at Viet Nam's embassy in Pretoria have been documented as participants in the illegal rhino horn trade, although the last such case was in late 2008.

New user groups in Viet Nam

At the other end of the illicit trade chain, the report identifies Viet Nam as the main market, where demand for rhino horn continues to rise and serrated rhino horn grinding bowls are widely available for sale.

Four main user groups have been identified in Viet Nam: the principal one being those who believe in rhino horn's detoxification properties, especially following excessive intake of alcohol, rich food and "the good life". Affluent users routinely grind up rhino horn and mix the powder with water or alcohol as a hangover-cure and general health tonic.

Horn is also used as a supposed cancer cure by terminally ill patients, who are sometimes deliberately targeted by rhino horn "touts" as part of a cynical marketing ploy to increase the profitability of the illicit trade.

"The surge in rhino horn demand from Viet Nam has nothing to do with meeting traditional medicine needs, it's to supply a recreational drug to party goers or to con dying cancer patients out of their cash for a miracle rhino horn cure that will never happen," said Tom Milliken, TRAFFIC rhino expert, and a co-author of the new report.

"Ultimately the only long-term solution to stamping out rhino poaching in Africa and Asia lies in curbing demand for horn. The fact that the Vietnamese Government has not played a greater role in ensuring such an outcome is problematic, but presents an opportunity for decisive action beginning now."

Last month, a Rhino Working Group under CITES was tasked with developing a demand reduction strategy for rhino horn and called upon the government of Viet Nam to table a report on measures it is taking to address the illegal trade.

"The only people benefitting from the current rhino poaching crisis are those running the criminal networks, who are making huge profits with little fear of prosecution in Asian markets," said Milliken.

"This trade leaves a trail of carnage and hapless victims—both animal and human—from source to end-use market."

Action needed from governments

The new report calls for a number of measures to be taken to address the current crisis, including for Viet Nam to "review and strengthen legislation and penalties concerning illegal rhino horn trade," and to "employ effective law enforcement strategies in the market place."

Ironically, the fate of South Africa's rhinos is now inextricably linked with market forces in Viet Nam, a country that recently saw its own Javan rhino population slip into ignominious extinction, when the last individual in Cat Tien National Park was shot and had its horn removed in early 2010. The Javan rhino is the most critically endangered rhino species in the world with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in Java.

"South Africa has progressively scaled up its response to rhino crime and there are indications it can win this battle," says Mavuso Msimang, Rhino Issue Manager for the South African Department of Environmental Affairs.

"But we can only end the poaching and smuggling if it is addressed along the entire trade chain. We hope South Africa and Viet Nam can actively collaborate to stop the illegal trade in rhino horn."

Countries fail to protect endangered species from illegal trade

2012-07-23

Geneva – Poor performances by key countries are threatening the survival of wild rhinos, tigers and elephants, a new WWF report has found. The analysis, released as governments gather in Geneva this week to discuss a range of issues related to wildlife trade, rates 23 of the top African and Asian nations facing high levels of poaching and trafficking in ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts.

The report, entitled Wildlife Crime Scorecard: Assessing Compliance with and Enforcement of CITES Commitments for Tigers, Rhinos and Elephants, examines of the many countries considered as range, transit or consumer countries for these species. It gives countries scores of green, yellow or red for each animal, as applicable, as an indicator of recent progress. WWF has found that illegal trade persists in virtually all 23 countries reviewed, but the scorecard seeks to differentiate between countries where it is actively being countered from those where current efforts are entirely inadequate.

Asian demand drives poaching

Among the worst performers is Viet Nam that received two red scores, for rhinos and tigers. Viet Nam is identified in the report as the top destination country for rhino horn, which has fuelled a poaching crisis in South Africa. A record 448 South African rhinos were killed for their horns in 2011 and the country, which itself receives a yellow for rhinos, has lost an additional 262 already this year. According to the report, many Vietnamese have been arrested or implicated in South Africa for acquiring rhino horns illegally, including Vietnamese diplomats.

"It is time for Viet Nam to face the fact that its illegal consumption of rhino horn is driving the widespread poaching of endangered rhinos in Africa, and that it must crack down on the illegal rhino horn trade. Viet Nam should review its penalties and immediately curtail retail markets, including Internet advertising for horn," said Elisabeth McLellan, Global Species Programme manager at WWF.

Inadequate enforcement of domestic ivory markets in China is also highlighted in the report. China receives a yellow score for elephants indicating a failure by the country to effectively police its legal ivory markets. "The ongoing flow of large volumes of illegal ivory to China suggests that such ivory may be moving into legal ivory trade channels," the report says.

China is urged to dramatically and consistently improve its enforcement controls for ivory and to communicate to Chinese nationals in Africa that anyone caught importing illegal wildlife products into China would be prosecuted, and if convicted, severely penalized.

Poaching crisis across Africa

Tens of thousands of African elephants are being killed by poachers each year for their tusks and China and Thailand are top destinations for illegal African ivory. Thailand receives a red score for its failure to close a legal loophole that makes it easy for retailers to sell ivory from poached African elephants.

"In Thailand, illegal African ivory is being openly sold in up-scale boutiques that cater to unsuspecting tourists. Governments will be taking up this troubling issue this week. So far Thailand has not responded adequately to concerns and, with the amount of ivory of uncertain origin in circulation, the only credible option at this stage is a ban on ivory trade," McLellan said.

Elephant poaching is at crisis levels in Central Africa, where rhinos were likely poached to extinction. Last year witnessed the elephant highest poaching rates across the continent since records began. Early this year hundreds of elephants were killed in a single incident in a Cameroon national park. "Given the escalation of elephant poaching in Africa and the increased levels of organized crime involved in the trade, it is clear that the situation is now critical," the report found.

Wildlife crime not only poses a threat to animals, but is a risk to people, territorial integrity, stability and rule of law. Regional cooperation is needed in Central Africa to counter the flows of illegal ivory and arms spilling across borders. WWF commends Central African governments for signing a regional wildlife law enforcement plan and urges them to make its implementation a top priority, allocating resources to the plan and improving the efficacy of prosecutions for those implicated in poaching or illegal trade.

"Although most Central African countries receive yellow or red scores for elephants, there are some encouraging signals. Last month Gabon burned its entire ivory stockpile, to ensure that no tusks would leak into illegal trade, and President Ali Bongo committed to both increasing protections in the country's parks and to ensuring that those committing wildlife crimes are prosecuted and sent to prison," said WWF Global Species Programme manager Wendy Elliott.

Best performers

Other bright spots from the report are green scores for India and Nepal for each of the three species groups. In 2011, Nepal celebrated a year without any rhino poaching incidents, which was largely attributed to improvements to anti-poaching and other law enforcement efforts.

WWF's Wildlife Crime Scorecard is being released as member countries of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) hold their annual Standing Committee meeting. The conservation organization is set to launch a global campaign to fight illegal wildlife trade, which is putting the future of elephants, rhinos and tigers at risk. Learn more at panda.org/wildlifecrime.

Gabon set to burn thousands of ivory tusks and carvings

2012-06-27

Libreville, Gabon, 27th June 2012 – In a bold move against poaching and illegal wildlife trade, Gabon is expected to burn its government-held ivory stockpile today. The decision comes at a time of intense poaching pressure in Central Africa, where the illegal killing of elephants for ivory is at record levels. Gabon's President Ali Bongo will ignite the ivory pyre later today in Cite de Democratie.

WWF and TRAFFIC have worked with Gabon to independently audit its government-owned ivory stockpile before any is destroyed, to ensure that all tusks are accounted for and none has leaked into illegal trade.

"Gabon has a policy of zero tolerance for wildlife crime and we are putting in place the institutions and laws, to ensure this policy is enforced," said President Ali Bongo.

The audited ivory stock totals 4,825 kilograms, including 1,293 piece of rough ivory mainly composed of tusks and 17,730 pieces of worked ivory. The overall quantity of stockpiled ivory corresponds to roughly 850 dead elephants.

"WWF supports Gabon's decision and sees the move as an indication of the country's commitment to curbing elephant poaching and the illegal ivory trade," said Stefanie Conrad, WWF Central Africa Regional Programme Office Representative. "Ivory of illegal or unknown origin cannot be sold legally internationally for commercial purposes. Gabon has acted commendably in deciding to put such ivory beyond use," she said.

Gabon will be the first country in Central Africa to publicly destroy its ivory, and the burning of the government's stockpile is intended to be a strong signal demonstrating the nation's commitment to tackling the illegal wildlife trade.

A report issued last week by the UN body that regulates the international wildlife trade found that 2011 was the worst year on record for elephant poaching in Africa. It is estimated that tens of thousands of elephants are being killed across Africa each year for their tusks, which are in demand in Asia.

"This is an international problem and Gabon is coming under siege by criminal gangs of hunters and crime syndicates that smuggle ivory to Asia. Unless there is a strong international reaction to stop wildlife crime, and ivory smuggling in particular, the forests of Gabon will no longer vibrate with the rumble of the forest elephant," said Professor Lee White, Executive Secretary of Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (Gabon's National Parks Agency).

"We need to break the illegal ivory trade chain," said Suparna Biswas, Country Director of WWF-Gabon. "This time the decision has come from the top and should be an example to others. Many Central Africa ministries still proudly display pieces of worked ivory in their offices. Many government officials are implicated in illicit ivory trafficking. This must end."

TRAFFIC's data on ivory seizures show that record levels of illicit ivory were seized in 2011.

"If not managed properly, ivory stockpiles in the hands of government suddenly 'get legs' and move into illegal trade. Zambia lost 3 tonnes of ivory from the government's strong room just last week and Mozambique lost 1.1 tonnes in February," said Tom Milliken, TRAFFIC's ivory trade expert. "Gabon's actions effectively keep the ivory out of the way of temptation."

Central Africa governments have joined together in search of ways to overcome this crisis by signing a regional plan to strengthen law enforcement and better combat poaching of elephants and other species at risk from illegal wildlife trade.

WWF joins Rio launch of Rhino Under Threat film

2012-06-18

WWF today joined United Nations TV (UNTV), and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at the launch of the film Rhino Under Threat at Rio+20.

From the massive parks in South Africa and Swaziland, to the crowded streets of Hanoi in Vietnam, the film shows the brutality of the current spike in illegal killing of rhino and the impact it is having on local communities. The film investigates what is driving the demand for rhino horn in Asia and the powerful measures being taken by national authorities to fight this crime.

In 2007, poachers killed 13 rhino in South Africa. This number rose to 448 in 2011 – with poaching levels reaching 245 so far this year, with 161 arrests. The film shows the role of organized syndicates in wildlife crime, and the need for a tough coordinated enforcement response - from work in the field, to the use of DNA technology, to effective prosecutions, and the need for severe penalties.

"If the current trends in illegal killing continue, we will drive the rhino, this iconic species, to extinction in the wild," said Mr John E. Scanlon, CITES Secretary-General. "We need to work together at national and international levels to stop the poaching, stop the smuggling and stop the consuming. It will be tough, but if we manage to work together, we will win this fight", he added.

"The recent increase in rhino poaching can be reversed if governments in both Africa and Asia prioritise law enforcement, prosecutions and demand reduction. Illegal wildlife trade is a serious crime that compromises national security and people's safety. To secure a future for rhinos, leadership is needed from Vietnam, the biggest current destination for rhino horn," said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International.

New DNA technology

A project was recently approved to strengthen law enforcement capacity in South Africa's protected area system through forensic-based technologies focused on the rhinoceros. The funding will be used by the government of South Africa for a dedicated forensic laboratory facility to provide timely DNA analysis of forensic evidence for the prosecution of wildlife crimes, and enhance the existing coordination and information sharing among all actors involved in the law enforcement and anti-poaching efforts in the country and the region.

Increasing demand in Vietnam

Rhinoceroses are poached to supply an extremely profitable but poorly understood market. Based upon available information, the demand for rhino horn comes principally from Asia, with the major destination appearing to be Vietnam.

There, according to a report commissioned by the CITES Secretariat, increasing levels of demand have been fueled by rumours of rhino horn being a cure for cancer, and being increasingly used in a manner akin to a recreational drug, such as 'rhino wine,' to improve male sexual performance, and to treat hangovers and other ill-effects of the over-consumption of food, drugs or alcohol. None of these uses is recognized in traditional medicine.

Rhino crime spreads to Europe and the US

In addition, theft of rhino horns from museums, auction houses or at antique or taxidermist shops has occurred in the European Union. Since 2011, EUROPOL has recorded 56 successful and 10 attempted thefts. Criminals stole horns from museums and private collections in 15 countries, with many of the thefts believed to be linked to an organized criminal group, who are known to use intimidation and violence to achieve their ends. The group is believed to be active in Asia, North and South America and Europe.

In the United States, seven people were arrested on charges of trafficking in endangered black rhinoceros horn in February 2012, as part of "Operation Crash," a multi-agency effort to investigate and prosecute those involved in the black market trade of endangered rhinoceros horn.

Prosecutions to deter

In South Africa, persons from Mozambique and Vietnam caught trying to smuggle rhinoceros horn out of the country were given long custodial sentences – sending out a powerful message to those who seek to engage in illegal wildlife trade. These convictions reflect the combined efforts of enforcement officials, prosecutors and the judiciary in South Africa where the whole system worked to bring these criminals to justice.

It is clear that the increased levels of rhino poaching and rhino horn thefts has an impact on several continents and that a well coordinated law enforcement response, as well as high-level political responses, will be required to addresses this problem effectively.

Background on rhinoceroses

There are five species of rhino, all included in the CITES Appendices. The Javan, Sumatran and Indian rhinos are found in Asia and are listed in Appendix I. The first two are considered to be as critically endangered and Indian rhinos as vulnerable by IUCN's Red List. The Javan rhino subspecies in Vietnam was declared extinct by WWF on 25 October 2011. A small population of Javan rhinos still exists in Indonesia, which has prompted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia to declare 5 June 2012 as the start of the International Year of the Rhino.

The number of black rhinos in the wild is estimated at 5,000 individuals and that of white rhinos at 20,000. Both are found in Africa and their range and numbers declined very significantly in the past. Populations then recovered, particularly in Southern Africa which has its recovered white rhino population listed in CITES Appendix II. A fresh wave of poaching in the past few years, however, is posing a significant threat to this recovery. The western black rhino was also declared extinct in November 2011.

Javan rhinos in critical state as International Year of the Rhino begins

2012-06-05

Increasing alarm for the fate of the two rarest rhinoceros species, and growing concern over the increased illegal hunting of rhinos and demand for rhino horn affecting all five species, has prompted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia to declare 5 June 2012 as the start of the International Year of the Rhino.

President Yudhoyono took this step at the request of conservation organisations, because the future survival of both the Javan and Sumatran rhinos depends on effective conservation action in Indonesia.

"WWF offers its full support for the commitment made by Indonesia's president to secure a future for the country's critically endangered rhinos," says Dr Efransjah, CEO of WWF-Indonesia.

"There is an urgent need to decrease pressures on habitats and to establish a second Javan rhino population in a safer and suitable location. This will be a big endeavour that will require true leadership from government and critical partnerships among scientists, conservation organizations and local communities."

The government of Indonesia has also made commitments to establish a high-level rhino task force of national and international experts; allocate sufficient resources to enforce protection of remaining rhino populations, and ensure that there is regular and intensive monitoring of all rhino populations in Indonesia.

In the last decade, two rhino subspecies, the western black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis longipes) in Cameroon and the Indochinese Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) in Vietnam have gone extinct.

Today, the populations of two more subspecies, the northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and the mainland population of the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis lasiotus), both listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, are perilously close to extinction because of an increase in illegal hunting and non-traditional use of rhino horn.

During this International Year of the Rhino, it is hoped that all rhino range states in Africa and Asia will join Indonesia and give priority to securing their rhino populations.

There are ambitions to bring illegal hunting and trade, especially the illegal trade of rhino horn, under control by ensuring that effective deterrents are in place and enforced. It is also hoped that measures that encourage a rapid growth in rhino numbers will be taken. In Indonesia, extra action will be taken to translocate isolated individuals to actively managed protected areas and improve rhino habitats by removing invasive plant species and providing additional sources of water.

"Strong and clear political messages from the highest possible levels are required to combat the illegal killing and trade in rhino and the message coming from the president is loud and clear," said John E. Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES.

"We hope that this bold initiative by Indonesia will serve as a catalyst for further high-level political support and commitments to protect the rhino in the wild across all concerned states"

Effective conservation by governments in Africa and Asia, in some cases with the support of WWF, has been successful in bringing back the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum), black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) from the brink of extinction.

It is clear that highly-focused management and improved conservation measures can lead to increases in the populations of rhinos, and it is now urgent that this is also implemented for the Javan and Sumatran rhinos, as the Indonesian president has stated.

AfDB and WWF to launch Africa Ecological Footprint Report

2012-05-31

Arusha, Tanzania: The African Development Bank (AfDB) and global conservation group WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) have launched today a joint report on the state of Africa's environment.

The Africa Ecological Footprint Report: Green Infrastructure for Africa's Ecological Security takes stock of the health of Africa's ecosystems, as well as trends in resources use patterns. It also lays out recommendations on implementing green development pathways for Africa.

This report is intended to stoke up thinking on greener development in Africa and to rally action by policy-makers and investors in the lead-up to Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development taking place later this month in Brazil.

"Africa has choices", underlines AfDB President, Donald Kaberuka. "Embracing a more sustainable approach to development can generate benefits in terms of environmental security, human wellbeing, and increased competitiveness."

The Africa Ecological Footprint Report 2012 outlines two alarming trends, which if not addressed by policy-makers and investors are likely to lead to important social and economic impacts. First, by tracking the changes in wildlife populations as a proxy for ecosystem health, the Africa Living Planet Index shows a decline of nearly 40% in biodiversity in the last four decades. This decline reflects a degradation of the natural systems upon which Africa's current and future prosperity depends.

Second, rapid population growth and increasing prosperity are changing consumption patterns, with the result that Africa's ecological footprint – the area needed to generate the resources consumed by the people who live here – has been growing steadily. While Africa's total ecological footprint is set to double by 2040 in a business-as-usual scenario, the good news is that Africa is in an advantageous position to act. It is endowed with tremendous natural resources, which, if managed properly, will be able to meet the needs of a growing population. And its relatively low footprint may be maintained if forward-looking and large-scale solutions can be mobilised in the areas of renewable energy, urban planning, and sound management of forests, water and marine resources.

The opportunity and urgency to act to ensure adequate and equitable access to water, fuel and food in the coming decades is highlighted by Jim Leape, WWF Director General.

"Our ecological infrastructure – terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems – is as essential to human development as are industrial and social infrastructures such as roads, schools, hospitals and energy provision," said WWF's Jim Leape. "The Africa Ecological Footprint Report showcases successful and scalable initiatives across Africa in renewable energy, integrated water resource management, ecotourism and forest conservation. The report offers concrete recommendations for maintaining Africa's natural capital as the foundation for sustainable and inclusive development and I urge decision-makers to act on them."

Donald Kaberuka and Jim Leape launched the report together on 1 June as part of the AfDB's Annual Meetings in Arusha. The event, attended by AfDB senior staff, government ministers, NGO representatives, African business and financial leaders, and the African and international media, is intended to inspire interest and action from these key decision-makers. The report will also be featured at a side event of the Rio+20 conference in June.

AfDB and WWF formally entered into a partnership last July, agreeing to initially focus on three areas of cooperation: developing win-win partnerships with emerging economies and strengthening South-South cooperation; catalysing knowledge sharing and knowledge products for green growth and sustainable development; collaborating on energy and water resource management; and climate change. This report is the first joint product of this partnership.

With a recent tripling of its capitalisation to USD 100 billion, the AfDB is the most important multilateral institution financing development in Africa. As the continent faces rapid economic and population growth, and growing resource and climate pressures, the AfDB plays an essential role in ensuring sustainable and equitable development.

WWF is the world's largest environmental non-governmental organisation and has been active in Africa since its foundation more than 50 years ago. WWF works together with governments, businesses and local communities to deliver conservation and sustainable development worldwide.

To download the report, and to find out more, go to: www.panda.org/lpr/africa2012 or www.afdb.org.

South Africa uses DNA to fight rhino poaching

2012-04-30

By Dr. Joseph Okori, leader of WWF's African Rhino Programme

Forensic science is the practice of gathering and analysing of evidence in a prescribed procedure in order to establish facts that can be presented in a legal proceeding. In the earlier days, forensic analysts investigated crimes using physical items found on, in, or around a body at crime scene. Thus, many people still equate forensic science to autopsies only.

However, the field of forensic science is vast and requires many specialists at every point of investigation; from tire track experts, to pathologists, to entomologists, to soil scientists, to ballistic experts, and recently to molecular genetics experts. Similarly various tools are used; from saws, to axes, to blades, to microscopy, and recently to polymer chain reaction machines and gene sequence and fragment size readers.

Poaching of wildlife in Africa is accelerating at alarming rates. Species such as rhinoceros and elephants bear the biggest poaching burdens for various reasons; including having valued organs such as horns or tusks. Effective prosecution of wildlife crimes is hindered by lack of strong expert evidence linking suspects to poaching crime scenes. In addition, in the event of recovery of trophies, it's hard to link a particular recovery to a particular country. Without an ownership claim laid to the trophy by a particular country or owner, the prosecution case is usually weak.

In 2009, the University of Pretoria Veterinary Genetics Laboratory identified this gap and developed and patented a Rhinoceros DNA Indexing System (RhODISTM) using microsatellites to build a DNA fingerprint for all rhinoceros in Africa. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) was thinking of similar idea, thus it became apparent that it would be more beneficial for the two institutions to build synergy and work together. This is ideal because besides the rhinoceros, JKUAT is also developing microsatellite markers to fingerprint genetically ivory; thus linkage between the two institutions is very useful.

A PhD student is doing this work. Two MSc students are also optimizing techniques to identify species commonly poached for bush meat trade. Thus bilateral linkages between University of Pretoria and JKUAT are very useful to the institutions. The mandate of the bilateral linkage in DNA forensic sciences will involve peer to peer quality assurance, further research and development of novel single tandem repeat markers or any other method to enhance the reliability of the database to minimize the probability of sentencing an innocent person or releasing a culprit and capacity development including student and staff exchange.

In a recently concluded bilateral capacity building programme organized by Pretoria University and supported by WWF, three Kenyans participated in the initial training on forensic sciences and methods comparison sessions in the veternary lab from 2nd February to 19th March 2012. They included one staff from JKUAT; Dr Shadrack Muya and two staffs from Kenya Wildlife Service; Mr Moses Otiende Yongo and Linus Kariuki.

The Kenyans worked on rhinoceros samples and created a tablet for Kenya's rhinoceros DNA profiles in the RhODIS database. KWS will continue with populating the database while JKUAT and the lab will continue supporting the database in different technical and developmental capacities while contributing towards the goal of building an African rhino database under the RhODIS system supported by WWF.