Conservation News
July 2024
Biodiversity Bill 2024
SA Hunters submitted comments on the Draft National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Bill 2024, published by DFFE in the Government Gazette 50706 on 24 May 2024. The Association is particularly concerned that DFFE left most of the core aspects to be addressed in regulations, lists, notices, and norms and standards for publication at a later stage. The inherent limitations in the DFFE’s public participation processes are worrying.
Read our comments here
Management plan for rhinoceros
The conservation manager, Lizanne Nel, participated in a work session on the Draft White and Black Rhino Biodiversity Management Plan (DRBMP) She stressed the important role of the private sector in the recovery of rhinos in South Africa. She also raised concern that the DRBMP does not sufficiently highlight this aspect and build on its successes while addressing the challenges. Mechanisms are needed to incentivise rhino owners who conserve free-ranging populations in their natural habitat and contribute the most to the species’ long-term survival and conservation status. Private rhino owners cannot harness any value from keeping rhinos, including their commercial value. This impedes their ability to finance business and conservation operations. Reference to hunting in particular is lacking.
Read the Draft White and Black Rhino Biodiversity Management Plan (DRBMP) here
The Importance of Snakes
Snakes are important in the ecology. They control rodent populations and are a valuable food source for predators. Snakes can survive months without food but can increase their food intake up to 20-fold during a rodent population explosion. A large snake can easily devour an entire rodent family in a single feeding session. Read more here.
Shark Awareness Day
The oceans around South Africa’s coast are home to 98 shark species. Most of them are harmless and rarely seen. Only a few species have been implicated in bites on humans. Sharks are apex or top predators that play a vital role in maintaining marine biodiversity. By catching or incidental capture in fishing nets poses the biggest threat to sharks, dolphins, and turtles. Read more here.
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