The department of Environment, Fisheries and Forestry has moved to clarify the legal status of wild animals. It is important to note that animals listed under the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No. 62 of 1998) (AIA) are still subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) (NEMBA) and provincial conservation legislation.
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Barbara Creecy, tables the Department of Environmental Affairs Budget Policy statement 2019/20, National Assembly, Parliament
11 JULY 2019
Honourable Chairperson of the Session;
Honourable Deputy Minister Ms Makhotso Sotyu
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
Honourable Fikile Xasa, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee,
Honourable Members of the Portfolio Committee;
Honourable Members of Parliament;
Members of the Executive Councils from Provinces present;
Director General Ms Nosipho Ngcaba
Chairpersons and Chief Executives of Public Entities;
Representatives of Business, organised labour and civil society;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Community statement submitted at the 2019 African Wildlife Economy Summit
DECLARATION
Voices of the Communities: A New Deal for rural communities and wildlife and natural resources
We, the over 40 community representatives of 12 countries across Africa have met prior to Africa’s Wildlife Economy Summit, to tell the stories of our experiences of living with and among Africa’s wonderful wildlife that our forebears watched over and cared for from time immemorial as an integral part of their societies’ culture, traditions and economies. We have discussed the role of communities in managing wildlife resources on their land – bearing the costs of living among them sustainably over centuries, despite the continuing legacy of dis-empowering colonial laws and policies. We are the front line of defence in protecting natural resources and combatting illegal wildlife trade.
Wild animal anthrax is a natural occurrence in many areas in southern Africa. Outbreaks for this year have for example been reported in Kenya, Botswana, Namibia and now in Lesotho. The latest outbreak in Lesotho is in the region of Maseru. A 10km radius has been quarantined. Animal movement between Free State and Lesotho are restricted.
In accordance with sections 61 and 62 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004) NEMBA, the Scientific Authority is required to advise the Minister of the Department of Environmental Affairs on the 2019 quota for leopard hunting trophies in South Africa, as well as the quota for lion bone exports for 2019.
Members of the public are invited to submit concise written scientific information or data on leopards for consideration by the Scientific Authority. Information must be submitted on or before 15 June 2019, to Ms Malepo Phoshoko at the following addresses:
At the end of 2018, hunters and their families from the Kameeldoring Branch of SA Hunters and Game Conservation decided to help clean up the Mafikeng Nature Reserve. While they were picking up rubbish, they saw several carcasses of young animals in the reserve.
Latest Update:
The newest press release on the control area for FMD is attached below and indicates that the area enclosed by the R81 road, the R36 Road, N1 and the R524 Road has been declared a disease management area for FMD. No movement of cloven hoofed animals are allowed within, into or out of this area. Products from cloven hoofed animals may however be allowed within and out of this area with a permit issues by the local state veterinarian.
VulPro, an NGO that works tirelessly to safeguard Africa’s vulture populations through rescue and rehabilitation, has experienced an alarming number of rehabilitation cases for the months of December 2018 and early January 2019. Most of these cases have coincided with the fledgling stages of our endemic Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) and African White-backed (Gyps africanus) vulture species.
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