29 January 2013 - The
Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs,
Ms Edna Molewa on Friday (25 January 2013)
published the Biodiversity Management Plan
for black rhinoceros (Diceros icornis) in
Government Gazette No. 36096 for implementation.
The gazetting of the
Management Plan is in terms of the National
Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act
(NEMBA), 2004 and was developed in accordance
with the National Norms and Standards for
the Development of Biodiversity Management
Plans for Species (BMP-S) published in 2009.
The BMP-S allows for
the monitoring and review of actions taken
to preserve species in the wild amidst a
changing environment. It also requires that,
in terms of the NEMBA, all management plans
compiled by conservation authorities are
approved by the Minister.
The newly-published
Plan also forms part of government’s continued
efforts to ensure the survival of South
Africa’s rhino population. It will contribute
significantly to the management and conservation
of black rhino, presently under threat from
poachers.
The Conservation Plan
for the Black Rhino, which forms the basis
of the BMP for this species in South Africa,
was jointly developed by South African members
of the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) Rhino Management Group to promote
the development and long-term maintenance
of viable populations of the various sub-species
of African rhino in the wild. It was published
for public comment in 2011.
The South African Rhino
Management Group, which functions under
the auspices of the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature’s Rhino Specialist
Group, is to manage the implementation of
the Plan, including the legally required
approval of management plans submitted by
rhino conservation bodies for adoption by
the government.
The Plan was developed
essentially to ensure coordinated action
in the identification of goals, the mechanisms
to reach those goals, and evaluation of
their success.
The BMP for Black Rhino
includes a long-term vision which envisages
the continued existence of the global black
rhino population through the continuation
of viable populations of the indigenous
rhino subspecies in natural habitats throughout
South Africa.
The 10-year or short-term
conservation goal is to achieve an average
South African meta-population growth rate
for the two indigenous subspecies of black
rhino of at least 5% per annum. The aim
is also to achieve meta-population sizes
for the two subspecies of 3 060.
In terms of the BMP
for Black Rhino, published on Friday, among
the mechanisms required to successfully
manage these iconic animals are biological
management, monitoring for management, security
and protection, coordination, capacity,
sustainable use and economic and social
sustainability.
Besides the achievement
of a minimum 5% growth rate in the meta-population
as part of biological management, the Plan
states that protection remains a key activity
to minimise rhino losses from illegal activities
through effective law enforcement, improved
neighbour relations, effective criminal
investigations and prosecuting, and securing
and monitoring rhino horn stockpiles. In
addition, human resources should be developed
so that there are sufficient skills available
to protect and manage black rhinos, and
the encouragement of sustainable political
and social support for rhino conservation
efforts.
The anticipated outcomes
of the BMP for Black Rhino also include:
•to maintain optimum
levels of genetic diversity;
•to obtain accurate and precise information
on black rhino population performance to
inform decision making;
•to minimise the loss of rhino through illegal
activity, particularly poaching;
•to ensure that sufficient and appropriate
human resources and skills are available
and deployed efficiently;
•to have effectively coordinated black rhino
conservation management; and
•to ensure that support (political and public)
for black rhino conservation in South Africa
is in place and fostered through multiple
and innovative initiatives to improve the
actual and perceived value of the species.
Strict rhino hunting guidelines have also
been included to ensure proper control over
the removal of animals from breeding populations,
and to combat any incidence of illegal hunting.
The BMP for Black Rhino
focuses on specific conservation measures
to ensure the survival of black rhino in
the wild and is not aimed at managing current
poaching activities. For this there are
separate processes underway, among them
the National Rhino Management Strategy.
To access the Biodiversity
Management Plan for Black Rhinoceros, click
on the link below:
>>> National
Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act,
2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) Biodiversity Management
Plan for the Black Rhinoceros (Diceros Bicornis)
in South Africa 2011 - 2020 (GN49 - no.36096)
NOTE:
1.The African black
rhino (diceros bicornis) is listed by the
IUCN as Critically Endangered, and is included
in Appendix I of the Convention on the International
Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and
Flora (Cites). The black rhino is listed
as an endangered species in the Threatened
and Protected Species Regulations (TOPS).
Primarily as a result of heavy commercial
poaching of the animals for its horn, and
habitat loss, the continental population
dropped from around 65 000 in 1970 to 2410
in 1995. By the beginning of 2011 that population
had increased to almost 2000 animals. The
national population of black rhino was reduced
to 110 animals in 1935. Through strict conservation
programmes, black rhino in South Africa
now number around 2 000. The black rhino
population includes four sub-species, two
of which are indigenous to South Africa.
