27/01/2005: “The publication
of the draft norms and standards and regulations
will provide the opportunity to the South
African public to assist government to achieve
an acceptable national position regarding
the keeping and hunting of large predators”
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk will tomorrow,
Friday, 28 January 2005 publish norms and
standards for the sustainable utilization
of large predators as well as regulations
to the keeping and hunting of indigenous
predators in the government gazette.
Commenting on the release of this policy
for public comments, the Minister believes
that “the publication of the draft norms
and standards and regulations will provide
the opportunity to the South African public
to assist government to achieve an acceptable
national position regarding the keeping
and hunting of large predators”
He also said that government has since
1997 continuously condemned the practice
of canned hunting and that. the draft norms
and standards and regulations would support
the endeavors of government to stamp out
this abysmal practice.
The aims of the draft norms, standards
and draft regulations are:
(i) to provide a national approach and
minimum standards to all aspects relating
to the management of large predators;
(ii) to regulate the hunting of large predators;
(iii) to promote the ethical hunting of
large predators;
(iv) to regulate the control of damage-causing
animals;
(v) to protect the rights of owners of properties
neighbouring those on which large predators
are introduced;
(vi) to regulate the import and export of
large predators;
(vii) to protect the genetic integrity of
indigenous predator populations; and
(viii) to ensure sustainable use of large
predators.
‘” These norms and standards are the minimum
and do not prevent provincial policies from
being more restrictive”, said the Minister.
He added that these will be effective from
01 July 2005 and that they will be enforced
in terms of the provisions of the Biodiversity
Act.
The following species of large predators,
indigenous to South Africa are covered by
these norms and standards and these will
be listed as threatened and protected species
in terms of the Biodiversity Act.
1. Cheetah
2. Spotted hyena
3. Wild dog
4. Brown hyena
5. Lion
6. Leopard
The closing date for public comment is
15 March 2004
