The revised Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for Black and White Rhino in South Africa was published for public comment on 18 Junie 2024. According to DFFE, the BMP aims to provide a strategic approach and detailed action plan to conserve rhinos in South Africa and engage with the relevant range States. It further consolidates previous work done at the policy and planning level on rhino management into a single integrated tool to usher in a whole-of-society approach in the interest of both the rhinos and the people of South Africa.
We encourage members and rhino owners to familiarise themselves with the revised BMP and to submit comments to conservationmanagement@dffe.gov.za within 30 days of publication. Comments can also be sent to Lizanne Nel, the conservation manager at Lizanne@sahunt.co.za who will prepare on behalf of the association.
The revised Biodiversity Management Plan for Black and White Rhino in South Africa is available here.
SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association’s views on rhino conservation
- An enabling legislative framework for government, private sector and communities is critical to improve the successful conservation of wild rhino populations.
- We should build on the Rhino Lab outcomes and identify specific policy interventions to improve opportunities and reduce risks.
- The Committee of Inquiry into Rhino Poaching (COI) and the Rhino Lab presented a clear path towards achieving the circumstances under which trade could become a realistic proposition. However, there should be measurable targets to monitor progress towards trade.
- Specific incentives should be developed to support custodians of wild rhino populations that contribute to our wildlife heritage. Rhino custodians should be incentivised to facilitate investment in extensive wildlife systems for white rhinoceros while providing for sustainable and responsible income streams that include responsible hunting; establishing mechanisms to enhance partnerships that expand and support extensive wildlife areas for rhino conservation; and providing rhinoceroses on a custodian basis to willing landowners, where appropriate.
- Although the goal should be to have stable and/or growing wild rhino populations, the private sector and communities should be supported in mitigating national and international threats. For as long as rhino poaching continues, rhinos are safer under innovative managed interventions where effective anti-poaching measures are cheaper. If semi-intensive systems are necessary to mitigate the poaching threat, management guidelines that can ensure the maintenance of evolutionary processes and improved potential for re-introduction into the wild when the risk situation changes, is a step in the right direction. This enables mitigation of risks while managing long-term evolutionary adaptability and survival.
