Issue 5 – The Trade Edition August - September 2017opus.sanbi.org/bitstream/20.500.12143/5589/1/Magazine... · 2018-02-01 · 3 Conservation Matters - Issue 5: The Trade Edition

Conservation Matters - Issue 5: The Trade Edition 1

Issue 5 – The Trade EditionAugust - September 2017

Conservation Matters - Issue 5: The Trade Edition1

FEATURES• Skeletonsinthecloset:Allyouneedtoknowaboutthecaptivelionbonequota• Unwittinggreenoffenders?• Rhinopoachingtrendsinthespotlight• Tacklingillegaltradeinmarinespecies• ShowcasingourSupporters:Ryobi

TAILS FROM THE FIELD• Theimportanceofanti-poachingfielddatacollectioninthefightagainstillegalwildlifetrade• TraditionalmedicinetradeandtheuseofSungazers

SCIENCE SNIPPETS• PuttingSouthAfricanmammalsonthemap:updatingtheNationalMammalRedList• ShowcasingourSupporters:DoppioZero

MEET THE PACK• AshleighDore• DrKellyMarnewick• NdifelaniMulaudzi• LesegoRammusi• MarilynThomas• KiyashaThambi• ShowcasingourSupporters:WildlifeCampus

Members’ Corner• RememberingNickHiltermann• Events

Pups’Place

In Closing:Mwitu’s Missive

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PhysicalAddress:BuildingK2,ArdeerRoad,PinelandsOfficePark,Modderfontein1609,Gauteng,SouthAfrica,PostalAddress:PrivateBagX11,Modderfontein1645,Gauteng,SouthAfrica

Tel:+27(0)113723600Fax:+27(0)116084682NPO


Inacountrythatisbesiegedbyslackeconomicgrowth,unemploymentandpoortolittleinvestmentoutlook,wouldn’titbegoodifItoldyouthatinthelasttwoquarters,tradeincommoditieswasupbysay,around10%?Thatwouldbegreat!Ifhowever,Itoldyouthatthose‘commodities’wereourwildlifeandtheirbodyparts,andthatthistradewaslargelyillegal?Thefigureof10%isfictitious,aswesimplycannotgetaccuratedataonthevolumeandscaleof the illegalwildlife tradedueto itsverynature.Butallindicationsarethat it is increasinggloballyaswellasbackhereinSouthAfrica.

Everyoneisfamiliarwiththetradeinrhinohornandelephantivorybutitmayamazeyoutohearthefullscaleofthissordid‘industry’.Every day a transnational network of criminal syndicates, andtheirlocalcounterparts,ismovingliterallythousandsofspeciesand/ortheirbodyparts,includingabalone,eels,alargevarietyoffishsuchasBlueFinTunaandsharks;marinemammalssuchasVaquitasandTotoabas;walruses;turtlesandpenguins;amassivevarietyofsnakes;iguanasandlizards;caterpillars;skinks;caimansandcrocodiles;toadsandfrogs;butterfliesandspiders;anendlesslistofbirdsincludingparrots,macawsandeagles;peacocksandowls;elephantsandpangolinsandofcourse,avarietyofprimates(gorillas, chimps, capuchins, gibbons andhowlers); otters; tigers,leopards and lions; bears, wolves and hippopotamuses; a varietyofantelope;rodentsandrecently,evendonkeys.ThesespeciesandmanymorearejustSOMEofthosetraffickedinternationallyinjustthepastTWOmonths.

Thisinsatiabletradenotonlythreatensthefutureexistenceofanumberof these species, but equally worrying is the torment, cruelty and abjecthorror towhich the individuals in this tradeareoftensubjected.Mothersoftradeableyoungstersaremoreoftenthannotkilledas they try toprotect theiryoung,andinmanycultures, it isthesufferingoftheanimalsthat infactenhancestheirmedicinalpowers.Transnationalcrimecannotthriveinacompassionate,ethicalandlegallycompliantsociety.Foreverycriminaltransaction,thereareestablishednetworksofcorruptofficials,unscrupulousdealersandwillingconsumers.Theseconsumersneednotalwayseattheanimal,butareoftenpetowners,collectorsandamusementparkenthusiaststhatareentertainedbywildlifesuchasdolphinsandelephants.

Aroundtheworld,thousandsofNGOsareattheforefrontofaddressingthistrade.Throughthesupportofparkrangers,enforcementofficers,prosecutorsandmagistrates,theseNGOsalsoundertaketransboundaryinvestigations.Theyprovideresourcessuchassnifferdogs,dronesandscouts.Criticallyimportant,theyprovidesafehavensandrehabilitationcentresforrescuedwildlifeandthesurvivors.Theyexposecorruptofficialsandkeepawatchfuleyeonsuspiciousactivities.Theyprovideimportantrecordsonthespeciesandnumbersbeingtradedandresearchintotheimpactonwildpopulations.Theyofferalternativelivelihoodoptionsforcommunitieswillingtoconserveinsteadofplunderwildliferesourcesandtheyworkwithtraderstoreformconductwherepossible.

InthistradeeditionoftheEWT’sConservation Matters,webringyousomestoriesfromthefieldonjustsomeofthethingsthattheEWTisdoingtocurbtheimpactoftheillegaltradeinwildlifeinourregion.Wemaynotalwayswin,butwithouttheworkoftheNGOsector,onehastowonderhowmuchworseoffwildanimalswouldbe.

Wildlifetraffickingisnotanevent.Itisaseriesofeventsinachainofcriminalactivities.Fromthemomentananimaloraplantentersthetraffickingchain,astringofparticipantsgetstheirshareofvalue,andoftenmembersofanunknowingpubliccanbedrawnintothisby justpayingtobeentertainedbyananimal,buying itasapetorpromotingtheactivitiesofwildlifetradersthroughsocialmediabecausethepicturesare‘cool’.Please,don’tparticipateinanyactivitiesthatmayformpartofthechainofillegalwildlifetrade.Supporttheorganisationsfightingtirelesslytobringanendtothishorrifictrade.Spreadthewordandexposethetravestythatshouldshameusallforbeingpartofaspeciesthatkillsforgreedandpower.Aboveall,betheonesthatdon’t.

Untilnexttime,Yolan


SkeletonS in the cloSet: All you need to know About the cAptive lion bone quotADr Kelly Marnewick, Wildlife in Trade Programme Senior Trade [email protected]

On 28 June 2017, the Minster of Environmental Affairs DrEdnaMolewaannouncedthatshehadapprovedanexportof800skeletonsperannumfromcaptivebred lions fromSouthAfrica.Hereweexploremorearoundthisstatementandwhatitmeans.

How the quota came aboutTheexportoflionbonesfromSouthAfricaisnotnew,withthefirst CITES (Convention on International Trade in EndangeredSpecies of Wild Fauna and Flora) recorded exports of lionbonesoccurring in2009whenfiveskeletons leftthecountry.This has escalated annually with as many as 939 and 1,158

skeletons exported in 2013 and 2014 respectively. This tradehasmostlybeenaby-productofthecaptivehuntingindustry.AttheCITESCoP(ConferenceoftheParties)in2016,aproposalwasmade to increase theprotectionof lionsbyup listingallAfricanLionpopulationstoCITESAppendixIfromAppendixII.Akeymotivatorforthiswasthatinmanycountries,especiallyinWestAfrica,lionsareatriskthroughthetradeintheirparts.However, lions inSouthAfricadonotqualifyforanAppendixI listing, because they have not shown “a marked observedongoingandprojecteddeclineinthepopulationsizeinthewild”andbecauseliontradedoesnot“haveadetrimentalimpactonthestatusofthespecies”inSouthAfrica.Assuch,themotionwasnotsupportedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairsinparticular. It is possible tohavea ‘split listing’where lionsfromdifferentcountieswouldbeondifferentCITESappendices,but this complicates regulationsandCITES tries toavoid this.Inanefforttogetanacceptableproposalonthetableandnotendupinasituationwheretheappendixlistingisdebatedformanyyears,itwasproposedthattheCITESAppendixIIlistingberetainedandthatanannotationbeadded.Thisannotationwouldprohibitall internationalcommercialtradeinlionpartsand derivatives. However, South Africa would only agree tothis if theSouthAfricancaptive lionpopulationwasexcludedfrom this annotation. Thus, the final annotation allowed for

theinternationalcommercialtradeinlionbonesoriginatingfromSouthAfrica,whichhavebeensourcedfromcaptivebred populations; through this, South Africa essentiallyformalised its lion bone trade and was directed toestablishaquotaforthistrade.

How the quota was determined and what it means on the groundThe Department of Environmental Affairs hasstatedthatthebonesfromcaptivebredlionscanbe legally sourced from captive lions that have:1) died of natural causes, 2) been hunted or 3)euthanised.Onlywholeskeletonscanbeexportedeitherwithorwithouttheskull.Thequotanumber

of 800was determined from a long-term averageof export volumes from the CITES trade database. InapublicmeetingheldbyDEAon18 January2017, theSouth African Predator Association (SAPA) stated that

theyrepresentabout51%ofthecaptivelionindustryandthattheyalonecouldsustainaquotaof1,600animalsperannum.There is no formal information available on allocation of thequota and regulation thereof. DEA has proposed a researchproject thatwill be linked to the quota thatwill: 1) Increasethe understanding of the captive industry, 2) Understandhowcaptivetradecanaffectwildpopulations,and3)Provideevidencetoreviewthequotaannually.

Captive lion population of SAThe exact size of the captive lion population in South Africais not accurately known. However, an estimate by TRAFFICin 2013 indicates approximately 5,800 lions, which is aboutdoublethenumberofcaptivelionsin2005.Theindustrywasinitiallydevelopedonthebackofthe‘cannedhunting’market,wherecaptivebredlionswereshotfortheirtrophies.Todaythis


industryalsoincludescubpetting,“walkingwith”experiencesandpayingvolunteeropportunitieswherevolunteerspayaboutUS$1,000perweektoworkatsomefacilities.

Wild lions in South AfricaThewild lionpopulationofSouthAfrica ismostlyconfinedtoprotected areas. Lions have recently been down listed fromVulnerablein2004toLeastConcernintheRedListofMammalsof South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho 2016. This is due toan increased population size at a national level. When theconservationstatusofaspeciesisdetermined,captiveanimalsarenottakenintoconsideration.ThelatestpopulationestimateforwildlionsisSouthAfricais3,490with1,775ofthesebeingmature individuals.Therearenomajor threats to these lionsbutinsomeareas,human-wildlifeconflictcouldbealocalisedthreatwhenlionsarenottoleratedoutsideprotectedareas.

Lion poaching and seizuresDespite the relatively easy access to captive bred lion parts,therehasbeenamarked increase in thepoachingof captivelionsoverthepasttwoyearswithatleast16lionsbeingkilledinsevenincidentsthisyearalone.Mostoftheselionsarekilledusingpoisonandhavetheirfeetandfaces,andoccasionallytheirtails,removed.Ithasalwaysbeenassumedthatthesepartsaretaken for localmuthi/traditional use, however, recently, lionsclawshavebeen foundduring several rhinohorn seizures. InJunethisyear,aChinesecitizenwasstoppedbyauthoritiesatMaputoInternationalAirporten routetoQatar,withlionclawsin his luggage. These incidents lead us to suspect that thesepartsmaybetradedinternationallytoo.Poachingofwildlionsisontheincreaseandthetrendisworrying.

What are lion bones used for?Tiger bones have been used in Traditional ChineseMedicine(TCM) and Tibetan culture for centuries. More recent usesinvolve bones being steeped in a wine to make Tiger Bone

Winethatisallegedlyusedtoaddressesrheumatoid,boneandcirculatory disorders, and for aphrodisiac purposes.However,with the increasing pressure on tiger populations and theirconservationstatusremaining inperil, therehasbeenastrictdomestictradebanontigerproductsinChinasince1993,withtigerbonealsobeingremovedfromtheTCMpharmacopoeia.Thismeans thattigerbonesareno longer legallyavailable inChina.

Intheearly1990s,wineslabelledas‘Pantheraleo’(AfricanLion)startedtoappearinmarkets,butthepackagingstillsuggestedthatthecontentsweretigerandthenamingwasverysimilar.Historically, lion bone has not been used in TCM and thissubstitution is new. Substitutionhas not been recommendedbyanytigerconservationexpertsandreducingthedemandalltogetherfortigerorlionbonesisthemostrecommendedcourseof action. There has been no proven benefit to consumingeithertigeror lionbonesandthere isnoevidencetosuggestthatconsumersoftigerboneproductswillacceptasubstituteproduct.

Is supplying captive origin bones going to solve the impact on wild populations?Tigershavebeencaptivebredtosupplythedemandforbonesand parts in TCM. However, wild tiger populations continueto decline at alarming rates. As a result, CITES has declaredthattigersshouldnotbebred for theirpartsandderivatives.However,traffickingintigerpartshascontinuedduetoseveralfactors, includingalackofenforcementability,thetradelinksto transnational criminal networks, and ongoing demand inChina.Consumersoftigerproductspreferwild-sourcedpartsto captive-bred ones. Thus, it has been shown that captivebreedingoftigersfortheirpartsdoesnotreducethepressureonwildpopulations.Thereisnoevidencetoshowthattheexactsame thing is not going to happen to lions in Africa, puttingpressureonwildlionpopulations.


How much are bones sold for?In research done byWilliams and colleagues, (Williams, V.L.,Newton,D.J.,Loveridge,A.J.andMacdonald,D.W.2015.Bonesof Contention: An Assessment of the South African Trade inAfricanLionPantheraleoBonesandOtherBodyParts.TRAFFIC,Cambridge,UK&WildCRU,Oxford,UK.https://www.wildcru.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Bones_of_contention.pdf), lion bone agents pay South African breeders betweenR12,000 - R15,000 per set of bones (from an individual lion)without the skull. If the skull is included then the price canincreasetoR18,000-R20,000.Withthequotanowbeingsetandthenumberofskeletonsavailablebeinglimited,andwithSAPAreportingadecreaseindemandforcaptivetrophies,itispossiblethatthesepricesaregoingtoincrease.

What the EWT would like to seeTheEWTsupportstheconservationofwildlions,intheirnaturalhabitat, where they contribute to biodiversity conservationaskeystoneandflagshipspecies,andwhere theirhealthandwelfare are not compromised. We maintain that economicactivities related to lions should directly benefit the speciesinthewild;upholdtheprinciplesofsustainableconservation;upholdwelfarebestpracticeandpromoteBrandSouthAfrica.Thereisnoevidencethatthepracticeoflionbonefarming,ortherelatedexportquota,doesanyoftheabove,andweremainconcernedthatitmayinfactimpactnegatively.

The role-playersSAPA: The South African Predator Association representssomeofthelionbreedersinSouthAfrica.Theirintentionistofurthertheaimsoftheirmembers,withnoconservationobjectives,through:• Coordinating and promoting the interests of

its members with the view of establishing andmaintaining a healthy and profitable predatorbreeding and hunting industry in congruencewith national and international conservationprinciples and current national and provinciallegislation.

• Representingtheinterestsofitsmembersatprovincialandnationallevel.

• Cooperatingwithprovincialandnationalauthorities in the formulating and execution ofregulations ensuring a healthy and sustainablepredatorbreedingandhuntingindustryinSouthAfrica.

• Liaisingwith other associations and institutionswith reconcilable aims to promote the aims oftheAssociationandtopromoteordefendjointlyincasesandmattersconcerningtheinterestsoftheseassociations.

• Promotingandmarketingapositiveimageofthepredatorbreedingandhuntingindustry.

www.sapredators.co.za

Department of Environmental AffairsAministerialdepartmentwhosevisionis“aprosperous

and equitable society living in harmonywith our naturalresources”. Their mission is “to provide leadership inenvironmentalmanagement,conservationandprotectiontowardssustainabilityforthebenefitofSouthAfricansandtheglobalcommunities”.DEAismandatedtogiveeffecttotherightofcitizenstoanenvironmentthatisnotharmfultotheirhealthorwellbeing,andtohavetheenvironmentprotectedforthebenefitofpresentandfuturegenerations.To this end, the department provides leadership inenvironmentalmanagement,conservationandprotectiontowardssustainabilityforthebenefitofSouthAfricansandtheglobalcommunity.www.environment.gov.za

citeSCITES,theConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpecies of Wild Fauna and Flora, is an internationalagreementbetweengovernments.Itsaimistoensurethatinternationaltradeinspecimensofwildanimalsandplantsdoesnot threatentheirsurvival.CITES isan internationalagreement to which States and regional economicintegration organizations adhere voluntarily. States thathaveagreedtobeboundbytheConvention(‘joined’CITES)areknownasParties.AlthoughCITESislegallybindingontheParties– inotherwords theyhave to implement theConvention– itdoesnot take theplaceofnational laws.Rather it provides a framework to be respected by eachParty,whichhas toadopt itsowndomestic legislation toensure that CITES is implemented at the national level.Formany years CITES has been among the conservationagreementswith the largestmembership, with now 183Parties. The parties to CITES meet every four years in aConferenceof theParties (CoP).The lastCoP,CoP17washeldinJohannesburg.www.cites.org

tRAFFicTRAFFICisthewildlifetrade-monitoringnetwork,workingglobally on trade in wild animals and plants in thecontextofbothbiodiversityconservationandsustainabledevelopment.TRAFFIC’smissionistoensurethattradeinwildplantsandanimalsisnotathreattotheconservationofnature.www.traffic.org


Further readingCITES CoP14 2007. Directive to parties to not captivebreeding of tigers Panthera tigris for their parts andderivativeshttps://cites.org/eng/dec/valid16/212

EnvironmentalInvestigationAgency2017.TheLion’sShare.SouthAfrica’stradeexacerbatesdemandfortigerpartsandderivatives. https://eia-international.org/report/the-lions-shareIUCNmotionnumber09:Terminating thehuntingofcaptive-bredlions(Panthera leo)andotherpredatorsand captive breeding for commercial, non-conserva-tion purposes https://portals.iucn.org/congress/mo-tion/009

Lion export quota for 2017 communicated to the CITESSecretariat in line with CITES requirements. https://www.environment.gov.za/mediarelease/lionexportquota_communicatedtocitessecretariat

Miller, S., Riggio, J., Funston, P., Power, R.J., Williams, V.,Child, M.F. 2016. A conservation assessment of Pantheraleo. InChildMF,Roxburgh L,Do Linh SanE,RaimondoD,Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of Mammals ofSouthAfrica,SwazilandandLesotho.SouthAfricanNationalBiodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust,South Africa. https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/pdf/RLA_Panthera%20leo_LC.pdf

Nowell,K.,Xu,L.,Compton,J.,Xu,H.F.,andBroad,S.2010.Getting off the Tiger: How China can reduce demand forTiger parts and products and deliver on its trade relatedNational Tiger Recovery Priorities. TRAFFIC International,Cambridge, United Kingdom. http://www.felidae.org/KNOWELLPUBL/2010%20TRAFFIC%20report.pdf


unwitting gReen oFFEnDErS?Ashleigh Dore, Wildlife in Trade Programme Attorney (non-practising) and Training [email protected]

WehaveallheardabouttherhinocrisisandwhilemanySouthAfricansfeelasenseofrageatthethoughtoflosingrhinostoextinctionessentiallyduetogreed,fewstopandthinkaboutalltheothergreenoffencescommittedinSouthAfricaeveryday.The question that you, and that every South African, shouldstopandaskis:amIinadvertentlycommittinggreenoffences?

To answer this question, we need to understand whatgreen offences are. It’s easy enough formost of us to quitecomfortablydistanceourselvesfromrhinopoachers,buthaveyourecentlyboughtanindigenousplantorauniquepetlikeahedgehog?Haveyourecentlyinheritedivoryorfurskinsfromafamilymember?Didyouconfirmwhetheryouneededapermitin these instances? If not, youmay have committed a greenoffence! Green offences generally occur when activities areundertaken in respectof listed speciesofwildlifeandplants,withoutthenecessarypermit.

InSouthAfricatherearethreeimportantlistsrelatingtowildlifeandplants,theseare:• ThelistsofCriticallyEndangered,Endangered,

Vulnerable and protected species which were publishedinGovernmentGazetteNo. 29657on23 February2007,more commonly known as the Threatened or ProtectedSpeciesListorTOPSList.

• TheAlienandInvasiveSpeciesListpublishedinGovernmentGazetteNo.37886on1August2014.

• TheCITESAppendices.

Green offences and South Africa’s threatened or protected species South Africa’s biodiversity legislation makes provision forlistingspeciesthatareeitherthreatenedorinneedofnationalprotection.Suchspeciesarelistedinthefollowingcategories:• CriticallyEndangeredspeciesareanyindigenous

speciesfacinganextremelyhighriskofextinctioninthewildintheimmediatefuture.

• Endangeredspeciesareanyindigenousspeciesfacingahighriskofextinctioninthewildinthenearfuture.

• Vulnerablespeciesareanyindigenousspeciesfacinganextremelyhighriskofextinctioninthewildinthemedium-termfuture.

• Protectedspeciesareanyspecieswhichareofsuchhighconservationvalueornationalimportancethattheyrequireregulationinordertoensurethatthespeciesaremanagedinanecologicallysuitablemanner.

The TOPS List is important becausenoonemayundertake arestrictedactivityinvolvinganylistedspecieswithoutapermit.

Restrictedactivitiesrequiringapermitare:• Hunting,catching,capturingorkillinganylivingspecimen

ofalistedthreatenedorprotectedspeciesbyanymeans,methodordevicewhatsoever,includingsearching,

pursuing,driving,lyinginwait,luring,alluring,dischargingamissileorinjuringwithintenttohunt,catch,captureorkillanysuchspecimen.

• Gathering,collectingorpluckinganyspecimenofalistedthreatenedorprotectedspecies.

• Pickingpartsof,orcutting,choppingoff,uprooting,damagingordestroying,anyspecimenofalistedthreat-enedorprotectedspecies.

• ImportingintotheRepublic,includingintroducingfromthesea,anyspecimenofalistedthreatenedorprotectedspecies.

• ExportingfromtheRepublic,includingre-exportingfromtheRepublicanyspecimenofalistedthreatenedorprotectedspecies.

• Havinginpossessionorexercisingphysicalcontroloveranyspecimenofalistedthreatenedorprotectedspecies.

• Growing,breedingorinanyotherwaypropagatinganyspecimenofalistedthreatenedorprotectedspecies,orcausingittomultiply.

• Conveying,movingorotherwisetranslocatinganyspecimenofalistedthreatenedorprotectedspecies.

• Sellingorotherwisetradingin,buying,receiving,giving,donatingoracceptingasagift,orinanywayacquiringordisposingofanyspecimenofalistedthreatenedorprotectedspecies.

• Anyotherprescribedactivity,whichinvolvesaspecimenofalistedthreatenedorprotectedspecies.

Itisanoffencetocommitanyoftheaboveactivitieswithoutapermit.Thesepermitscanbeappliedforineachofthenineprovinces,atdesignatedoffices.Importantly,youcanonlyundertaketherestrictedactivitiesthatareonyourpermit–thereforeifyouonlyhaveapermittopossessbutwanttobreedorsellyouwillhavetoamendyourpermit.Youalsohavetocomplywiththepermitconditionsattached


to thepermit. If youact inviolationofyourpermit,ordon’thaveoneatall,youhavecommittedanoffence.

If you are found guilty of an offence, the penalties at theirmaximumcanbetenyearsimprisonment,afinenotexceedingR10million,orboth.

Green offences and Alien and Invasive Species in South Africa Thenextgreenoffences tobeconsideredare those in termsofAlien and Invasive Species (“AIS”). In order to prevent theintroductionofAISandtocontrolthemwheretheyhavebeenintroduced,certainAIShavebeenlistedandcontrolmeasureshavebeenputinplacetoregulatethem.Importantly,youcannotundertakearestrictedactivityintermsoflistedAISwithoutapermit.SomeAISareexemptandsomehaveflatoutbans.

TherestrictedactivitiesintermsofAISare:• ImportingintotheRepublic,includingintroducingfrom

thesea,anyspecimenofanalienorlistedinvasivespecies.

• Havinginpossessionorexercisingphysicalcontroloveranyspecimenofanalienorlistedinvasivespecies.

• Growing,breedingorinanyotherwaypropagatinganyspecimenofanalienorlistedinvasivespecies,orcausingittomultiply.

• Conveying,movingorotherwisetranslocatinganyspecimenofanalienorlistedinvasivespecies;

• Sellingorotherwisetradingin,buying,receiving,giving,donatingoracceptingasagift,orinanywayacquiringordisposingofanyspecimenofanalienorlistedinvasivespecies.

• Anyotherprescribedactivity,whichinvolvesaspecimenofanalienorlistedinvasivespecies.

The offences and penalties are the same as undertakingrestrictedactivitiesintermsofthreatenedorprotectedspecies.

Green offences and CITESThe last category of green offences to be considered involvecontravening the Convention on International Trade inEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFloraRegulations,(the“CITES Regulations”) which incorporates CITES into nationallaw. The CITES Regulations control the export, re-export,import, introduction from the sea, transit and transhipmentof specimens listed in one of the three CITES Annexures. Ifyou import, export, re--export, or introduce from the sea, orattempt todo the samewith any species listedon theCITESappendices(andtherearesome35,000specieslisted),withoutavalidpermitorcertificate,youhavecommittedanoffence.

ThepenaltiesfortheseoffencesincludeafinenotexceedingR5million,orimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingfiveyears,and in the caseof a secondor subsequent conviction, a finenot exceeding R10million or imprisonment for a period notexceedingtenyears.

What can you do about green offences?Afterreadingalloftheserulesandregulations,youmightfindyourselfwondering, is thereanythingwecandoaboutgreenoffences?Theredefinitelyis!

Herearethreeoptionsavailabletothegeneralpublictohelpcombatgreenoffences:• Ensureyoudon’tcontributetogreenoffences:

Know We sometimes have a blinkered approach to greenoffences, we point fingers at other countries or peoplein different social settings and blame them, however alittle introspection is vitally important.Would you buy acar without paperwork? You would ask for the servicehistory and proof of ownership – essentially, you ask fordocumentationtoensurethecaryouarebuyingisaboveboardandlegallyallowedtobesold.Yetthesamestandardis not applied to our biodiversity – those checks andbalanceswe place on ourselves to ensurewe are lawfulcitizensfallbythewaysidewhenitcomestowildlife.Thefirststepistoknowandunderstandthelawasitappliestospeciesoffaunaandflora.Ask Onceyouknow,youcanaskwhetherthatspecificactionislawful–askthisquestionofyourselfandofthedealer/owner/trader.Forexample,whoaskswhetherthenurserieswebuyourplants from have a permit to sell the plants?Who askswhetherthepettingzooswhereyoucanplaywithlioncubshave permits? Who asks questions at curio shops or atseafoodrestaurantstofindoutwherethefishissourced?Weneedtobefarmoreactiveinensuringaccountability,sothatwearenotinadvertentlydrawnintoillegalactivities.


reportOffencescanbereportedtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairshotline:0800205005ortoanypolicestation.

• Awarenessraising:Nowthatyouhaveanideaofwhatgreenoffencesare,wechallengeyoutobecomegreenactivistsandspreadtheword;discussthefullscopeofgreenoffencesaroundthebraai,haveyourkidsdoschoolpresentationsongreenoffences,raisetheissueofgreenoffencesatyourbodycorporateorcommunitymeetings.Take up themantle of active citizenry, ensuring that people understand the nature and seriousimplicationsofillegalwildlifetrade.

• SupporttheworkoflawenforcementandNGOs.

GreenoffencesextendfarbeyondrhinopoachinginSouthAfrica,andweallhaveadutytonotonlyensurethatwedon’tcontributetogreenoffences,butthatweactivelystandagainstthem.

Did you know? The EWT Wildlife in Trade Programme supports the work of law enforcement agencies by offering the following training programmes:

ENCEPHALARTOS cycAd identiFicAtion tRAining And AdvAnced ENCEPHALARTOS cycAd identiFicAtion tRAiningToprovideandenhanceskillsandknowledgeoflawenforcementofficialstoidentifycycadspeciesandtotackletheillegaltradethereof

SpecieS identiFicAtion tRAiningToprovideandenhancetheskillsandknowledgeoflawenforcementofficials to identifyspeciesandwildlifeproducts tocombat theillegal trade thereof and to provide the species identificationtoolkit

AdvAnced Field RAngeR tRAiningTo ensure law enforcement officials are equipped tosecurewildlifecrimescenesandadheretothechainofcustody

wildliFe tRAde lAw coMpliAnce And enFoRceMentToprovideandenhancetheskillsandknowledgeof law enforcement officials to identify wildlifecontrabandandthe illegal tradeofwildlifespecimens.

wt601: FootpRint cASting And liFting tRAining FoR enviRonMentAl inveStigAtoRSToprovide lawenforcement officialswith thenecessary skills to cast footprints and adducethesameasevidenceiscourt.

An intRoduction to wildliFe cybeRcRiMeThiscourseprovideslawenforcementofficialsandotherrelevantstakeholderswithabasicunderstandingoftheroleelectronicmediaplaysinwildlifetrafficking.Italsocoversbasicspeciesidentificationandtheidentificationoffakeproducts.

wildliFe cybeRcRiMe – pRActicAl toolS & tRickS FoR eveRydAy tASkSFollowingonfromthebasiccourse,lawenforcementofficialsgainanunderstandingofhowtousecomputersmoreeffectivelyaspartoftheirinvestigationsandaregiveninsightintoprogrammesthatenablethetodothismoreeffectively.



Rhino poAching tRendS in the Spotlight Dr Kelly Marnewick, Wildlife in Trade Programme Senior Trade [email protected]

The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa onMonday,28July2017,presentedhighlightsoftheprogressoftheIntegratedStrategicManagementofRhinocerosapproach.The EWT has studied theMinister’s statement and here wesummarisethekeyareasanddiscussthem.

Generally, the Minister’s statement was presented withsome optimism, butwe felt that the report lacked sufficientbackgrounddatatosupportmanyofthestatements.Webelievethat an in-depth analysis of several areas including poachingrates related to population sizes, arrest and conviction ratesandprovincialandreservetypebreakdownswithconsistencyinthepresentationofthedataovertimewouldallowamorecompletepicturetobepainted.

Poaching numbersThere has been an overall decrease in the number of rhinospoachedcomparedwiththesameperiodlastyear.FromJanuary2017-June 2017, 529 rhinos were poached in South Africa.KwaZulu-Natalwastheprovincemostimpactedwith113(25%)rhinospoached.TheKrugerNationalParklost243rhinos,46%of thenational loss.However, theKruger lost111 less rhinosthis year than in the same reporting period for the previousyear. This decrease was attributed to improved policing ontheground,butthisassumptioncannotbetestedagainstthepossibilitythattherearealsonowlessrhinotobepoachedintheKrugerNationalPark.ThispoachingdecreaseintheKrugerNational Park may also have potentially contributed topoachingshiftingtoKwaZulu-Natalwherereservesarenotascapacitatedandwherenumbersofanimalshaveincreased.

DataonthenumberofrhinosinSouthAfricaare difficult to obtain, and as such, we donothaveaccuratefiguresofthenumberofrhinosperprovince,intheKrugerNationalPark, or in private ownership. If thesefigures were available, then the rhinopoaching numbers could be reported incontext–perhapsasapercentageof therhinosimpactedinthepopulation.

Arrests and convictionsThe Minister addressed several examplesof arrests and convictions and we applaudthe authorities responsible for these. Thedevelopment of a court in Skukuza to dealspecifically with these crimes is a win forconservationandwillhopefullypavethewayforadedicatedenvironmentalcourt.A totalof359arrestshavebeenmadenationallyofwhich90wereinKrugerand112inadjacentareas.

WedoremainconcernedthattheMinisteronlyreportedontheconvictionofpoachers;nomentionwasmadeonconvictionsofanymiddlemenorkingpins.ThishasbeenhighlightedasakeyweaknessinSouthAfrica’sapproachtotacklingrhinopoaching.Several high profile cases have yet to come to trial in morethansevenyears,andasmanyas22peoplehigherup inthesupplychainarecurrentlywalkingfreeduetotechnicalitiesorareawaitingtrial.(Formoreinformationonthesecaseshttp://www.wildaid.org/sites/default/files/resources/WildAid%20Failure%20to%20Prosecute%20LR.pdf)TheMinisterconfirmedthat the Groenewald (arrested in 2010, but out on bailever since) charge sheet will be amended in line with theretrospective liftingof themoratorium in thedomestic tradeinrhinohorn,toremoveanyrelatedcharges.ThiswasthekeyconcernoftheEWTontheliftingofthemoratoriumalongwiththeresultingfurtherdelaysinthecasethathasyettocometotrialinsevenyears.However,theredoremainseveralchargesthatwillnotbelifted.

International cooperationIt is promising to hear the Minister reporting on variousinternationalcollaborationsaimedataddressingrhinopoaching.AspartofINTERPOL’SOperationThunderbird,alargenumberof aircraft vehicles, luggage, people and shipping containersweresearched.Unfortunately,noinformationwasprovidedontheoutcomesof thisoperation in termsoffinds, arrests andconvictions. It is also heartening to see that the Rhodis DNAIndexingSystem(www.rhodis.co.za) forgenetically identifyingrhinohornshasbeenusefulinlinkinghornsseizedinSwazilandwithpoaching incidents in SouthAfrica,however, this isonlyusefulifactualrhinohornseizuresaremadeandifsamplesarereceivedfrombothlocalandinternationalseizures.

Translocation and biological management of rhinos

WhiletheMinisterreportedonthisaspectofthemanagementofrhinos,shestatedthatrhinoswereremovedfromtheKruger


NationalParktootherareasofsafekeepinginordertoprotectthem.Therehavebeennotranslocationsdoneduringthisyear.OnefacilityintheFreeStatethatpreviouslyobtained35rhinosaspartofthisprojectlost15inasinglepoaching

incident.Therewasnoreportbackonanyotherrelocationsandtheiroutcomes.

Local trade in hornTheMinisteraddressed theplannedonlineauctionof rhinohornandstatedemphatically thatinternationaltradewillbenotentertainedinlinewiththeCITEStraderestrictions.

TheMinisterdidstatethatifcabinetfeltthatSouthAfricawas‘ready’thattheywouldmakea proposal at the next CITES CoP to open international commercial trade. There was

noelaborationonwhatwould constitutebeing ‘ready’andhow theconcernsof theinternationalconservationcommunitywouldbeaddressed.

Elephants, the emerging crisisTheEWTisgravelyconcernedaboutthe30elephantspoachedinthereportingperiod in comparison to the 46 poached in the whole of 2016. ElephantsareunderhugepressureintherestofAfricawithmorethan50elephantsbeingpoachedeachdayonthecontinent.Untilnow,SouthAfricahasnotexperiencedelephantpoachingonthescalethattherestofAfricahas.Unfortunately, is seems that the tide may be turning with poachingthreateningourelephants.Underquestioning,thegovernmentstatedthattheyareconcernedabouttheelephantpoachingandthatlessonslearnedintherhinofieldwouldbeimplementedtopreventasimilarsituation arising for elephants. No further details were providedonwhat thismeans, norwhat theprioritieswould be andwhatexactlywillbedonetopreventourelephantsbecomingthenextbigpoachingtarget.

Concluding statementWhile the small decrease in rhino poaching is good news,we remain gravely concerned that SouthAfrica is still losing2.9 rhinos per day.We find theMinister’s statement weakin providing or presenting sufficient information to fullyunderstandthetrendsanditsimpactonrhinoandelephantpopulations. We salute the tireless work of the rangersin national, provincial and private reserves who workcourageouslyattheforefrontofthisbattle.Additionallywerecognise the excellent work of the South African PoliceService,theHawks,TheStockTheftandEndangeredSpeciesUnit, the Environmental Management Inspectors, theSouth African Revenue Services, theNational ProsecutingAuthority and all other enforcement agencies, for theirsuccessfularrestsandconvictionsrelatedtorhinopoachingandwildlife trafficking. The EWTwill continue to supportgovernment and the private sector in efforts to combatrhinopoachingandotherwildlifecrimetoensurethatSouthAfrica’swildlifeissafeguardedintothefuture.

What the EWT is doingTheEWTWildlifeinTradeProgramme’smaintacticintacklingtherhinopoaching,andillegalrhinohorntrade,targetscriticallinks within the wildlife trade supply chain. These includeactivitiesthat:(1)buildcapacityatthesourceorin-situ inrhino

poaching hotspots; (2) provide unique skill sets to enforcementagencies operating outside protected areas, up to and including

those working at ports of exit; (3) increase awareness within theprosecutorialandjudicialarmsofthecriminaljusticesystem;andlastly

(4) undertaking research and monitoring activities targeting multiple contactpointsalongthesupplychain.

Thefulladdresscanbefoundhere:https://www.environment.gov.za/mediarelease/molewa_proresson_integratedstrategic_managementofrhinoceros_rhinopoaching


tAckling illegAl tRAde in MARine SpecieSIsabelle Giddy, Source to Sea Programme, Marine Project [email protected]

When we say “illegal marine trade”, what comes to mind?Probablythebestknownexampleofaninternationalmovementto ban and ensure compliance in themarine sectorwas thebanonthecommercialwhalingindustryin1986.Today,somewhalepopulationsarerecovering;forexample,thenumberofHumpbackWhaleshastripledsincethe1990s.

Nonetheless, the ocean is currently being exploited atunprecedentedlevels.Almost90%offishstocksarefishedeitheratorbeyondtheirsustainablelimits.Andwhilemanyoftheseexploitedspeciesaretradedlegally(evenifnotfishedlegally),the global community struggles to regulate the few that aretradedillegally.Wherearewefailing?Theoceanisexpansive.EachcountryhasanExclusiveEconomicZone(EEZ)whichthatcountry is mandated to manage. The high seas, beyond theEEZ aremanaged under the International Convention on theHighSeas.Becauseofthesedivisionsandincoherenciesintheoceanandinlegislation,illegalmarinetradeisnotonlydifficulttodefineonaninternationallevel,itisalsodifficulttoenforcebecauseofthesheersizeoftheoceanandlackofcapacityindevelopingcountriesandasaconsequenceextremelydifficulttomanage.

TheConventionon InternationalTrade inEndangeredSpeciesof Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) provides some level ofprotection for select taxa, such as cetaceans,marine turtles,corals, and seahorses. Beyond these groups, a number of

individualspeciesare listedunderCITES,suchas theTotoaba(listedunderAppendixI)offthecoastofMexicoandvaluedforitsswimbladderinChina.Closertohome,hereinSouthAfricawe have been faced with the illegal trade of wild harvestedAbalone,adelicacyinChina,whichwaslistedunderCITES,butsubsequently removed in 2010 following pressure from thefishing industry. The Dugong is also listed under Appendix IunderCITES.OnlyEcuadorhaslistedaspeciesofSeaCucumber,valuedforitshealthandmedicinalbenefitsinChina.Attimesitisthemarketforproductsthatresultinillegalfishingactivitiesandinadvertentlycauseharmtounsuspectingmarineanimals.SuchhasbeenthecasewiththeVaquitainMexico,abycatchspeciesingillnetfisheryforTotoaba,andtheDugong,WhaleSharkandGiantMantainEastAfricadueprimarilytothegillnetfisheryforsharksandtheirfins(thecartilageofwhichisusedasaningredientinsharkfinsoupinChina).

Thetragedyofillegalmarinetradeisthevictimsindevelopingcountries. This includes thedisenfranchisedHoutBayfishers,and the artisanal fishers in Mexico and Mozambique, whoreceivepittanceforthecatchtheybring in,comparedtothatbeingturnedoverbythetradersonthereceivingend,andwhoareoftenthetargetsofunsuccessful interventionstoaddressissuesofmarinetradeasisseeninthecaseofMexico’sVaquitaandSouthAfrica’sAbalone.Oftenthesefisherswouldnoteventargetthesespeciesiftheydidnotknowtherewasabuyer.Ifthesefishersfeltthattheirhumanrightswerebeingrespectedand could support themselves and their families by fishingsustainably and selling locally perhaps they would not needtotakeadvantageof internationaltradeopportunities.This iswherewecansupportthefightagainstillegalmarinetradeascivil society and responsible consumers. Knowwhat seafoodyouareconsuming,whereitcomesfromandchoosetosupportthesmall-scaleandartisanalfisher.

A Dugong, innocent victim of the demand for sharkfin soup in East Africa.

Dried swim bladders of the Totoaba, the demand for which has resulted in the near extinction of the Vaquita porpoise in Mexico.

Photograph: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images


Ryobi helpS to cleAR the wAy FoRwARd FoR knySnAEstablishedin1988,Stevens&CohasbuiltasolidreputationasAfrica’sleadingpowertoolsupplier.WearethesoleagentsanddistributorsforRyobipowertoolsinSub-SaharanAfrica.We offer easy-to-use products renowned for being highlyfunctional and durable. With over 350 different modelscoveringallequipmentcategories,Ryobi’srangesatisfiestheneedsofbothtradeprofessionalsandDIYenthusiasts,alike.Nootherdistributorcanoffersuchacomprehensiverangeofpowerequipment,fromindustrialgrinders,handhelddrillsand generators to gardening equipment and welders, weofferqualitysolutionsthataretrulybuilttolast.

AfterthedevastatingKnysnafires,theEWTsentanemergencyresponse teamtoassess thepotential impactsof thefireson the estuary and to determine the response required.TheKnysnaestuaryisSouthAfrica’smostimportantestuaryfor biodiversity conservation and supports the largestmeadowsofseagrassinthecountry.Seagrassmeadowsareconsidered one of themost productive ecosystems in theworld, providing shelter and food to an incredibly diversecommunityofanimals,fromtinyinvertebratestolargefish,crabs,marinemammalsandbirds. InKnysna, theseagrassprovidescriticalhabitattoamyriadofspeciesincludingtheEndangeredKnysnaseahorseandtheCriticallyEndangeredfalselimpet.

Seagrass meadows in South Africa and in Knysna areunder an increasing threat of extinction, particularly fromsedimentrunoffandnutrientpollution–bothofwhicharelikely tobeexacerbatedby theKnysnafires.Whilefires in

fynbos arenatural andneeded at intervalsof approximately 12years for its survival, alackoffireandinvasionby alien plant speciesboth contributed tothe devastatinglyhot fires that rippedthrough Knysna.As an emergencyresponse, the EWT,in partnership withvarious governmentand non-governmentalstakeholders, has setout to mitigate thesepost-fire impacts in the Knysna catchment by identifyingthe primary erosion and nutrient pollution sources inorder to prioritise and implement measures to minimisetheseimpacts.Longterm,theEWTaimstoworkwithlocalauthorities and organisations in tackling the devastatingspreadofinvasivealienplantsintheGardenRoute.

With our personal love and appreciation for wildlife andthe conservation thereof, it is easy forRyobi to relateandalignourselveswiththeEWT.Thenaturalsynergybetweenthetwobrandscreatesaperfectmatch,andwithacausesoclosetoourhearts, ithasbeenaclearandobviouschoicetosupporttheworkbeingdonebytheEWT.ForeveryRyobichainsaworbrushcuttersoldwiththeEWTstickeronit,wearecontributingR25towardstheEWT’sKnysnarehabilitationproject.

Our end goal is to raise R150,000.


the iMpoRtAnce oF AnTI-PoACHInG FIELD DATA collection in the Fight AgAinSt illegAl wildliFe tRAdeDr Andrew Taylor, Wildlife in Trade [email protected]

Reducing the illegal trade in wildlife products requires amultifaceted approach. A complete strategy would target alllevelsoftradeparticipants, includingtheendusersofwildlifeproducts (either through demand reduction schemes or thedevelopment of legal and viable trade options), the tradersof illegal wildlife products (organised criminals working atvariousstagesalongthetradechain),andthepoachers.WhiletheEWTworkswithanumberofpartnerstoplayaroleinallthreearenas,oneofourcurrentfocusareasisthepreventionofpoachingatthegroundlevelbyworkingwithfieldrangersandreservemanagers.

Asconservationbiologists,wehavehistoricallyviewedpoachingas a conservation issue, but criminologists teach us that weshouldalsotreatpoachingasacrime.Inlinewiththis,weareworkingwithwildlifedefenderstoapproachanti-poachinglawenforcement from this latter perspective. To do this, we areemphasisingtheimportanceofdatacollectionandanalysis,anareaoflawenforcementthatthewildlifesectoroftenoverlooks.

Thefirststepinthisprocessisthecollectionofreliablepoachingrelated data, something that field rangers have traditionallydone using a notepad and pen. While this practice is veryuseful, ithas some limitations, including theneed to transferinformationfromnotepadstoelectronicdatabasesattheendof each patrol (or less frequently), which is time consumingand prone to transcription error, and the fact that there is apotentialdelayinconveyingtheinformationcollectedtofieldcommanders.This lackof realtimetransferof informationtodecisionmakerscouldmakethedifferencebetweendisruptingpoachersandlosingarhino.

Both of these shortcomings can be overcomebymaking useof technological developments in smart phones and otherhandheld electronic devices that have occurred over the lastfewyears.Thesedevices,alongsidetheinnovationsinsoftwareapplications that have grownwith them, have improved ourability to collectfielddataaccuratelyandefficiently, andoneapplication inparticular isproving tobeuseful in this regard.The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has

developedacollaborationecosystemcalledCmore,asituationawarenessplatformcreatedforuseacrossawidevarietyoflawenforcementsectors,includingthoserelatingtowildlifecrimes.TheCmoreapplication,whichiseasytolearnandsimpletouse,allows for the efficient collection of various forms ofwildliferelateddata,suchasanimalsightings,aswellascrimerelatedinformationsuchasevidenceofpotentialpoachingincursions.Cmoreisespeciallyeffectivewhenusedonphoneswithaccesstoareliabledataconnectionbecausethisallowsforreal-timedata sharing with other anti-poaching personnel who havesecurity clearance.ObservationsenteredontoCmorebyfieldrangers inremotesareasofareservecanbeseenbyrangersinotherareasof the reserve,aswellasbycommanders inacentral operations centre, thus allowing for quick reactionsto potential poaching situations. Importantly, online securityproceduresallowreservemanagerstocontrolwhohasaccesstosensitiveinformationonCmore.TheEWThasbeenworkingwith the CSIR, Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)and South African National Parks (SANParks) to facilitate theimplementation of Cmore in protected areas with importantrhinopopulations.

Thesecondpartofourworkwithwildlifedefendersistoprovidetrainingforlawenforcementmanagerstomakebetteruseofthedatatheycollect,whichisanimportantpartofunderstandingrhino poaching and other problems related towildlife trade.Observationsmadebypatrolteamsarepivotalformonitoringpoaching trends and identifying patterns and, with targetedanalysis;thesedataprovideenforcementdecisionmakerswithinvaluable information for patrol deployments, investigationsandresourceallocation.Moreover,suchdatacanalsobeusedtodeterminetheeffectivenessofanti-poachinginterventions.

To provide this training, the EWT has been working withthe Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and LawEnforcement(NSCR),aswellastheCSIRandDEA.Thetraininghas been designed with the following three main objectivesin mind: (1) to reduce the effort needed to collect detailedpatrol data about ranger movements and the location ofillegalactivityusingapaperlesssystem;(2)totrainanalystsinlawenforcementunits toensurepatroldataaremappedandanalysedtodeveloppatrolandinvestigationstrategies;and,(3)to collect photographic evidence at crime scenes and duringarreststobuildstrongercourtcasesandsecureconvictions.

Throughacombinationofmoreaccuratedatacollection, realtimetransferofinformationtofieldcommandersandtargeteddataanalysis,andbyworkingwithreservestoimplementtheseactivities, the EWThopes to givewildlife defenders the edgeagainstpoachers.

tRAditionAl Medicine tRAde And the uSe oF SungAzeRSZwelakhe Zondi and Joy [email protected]

Smaug giganteus, commonly known as the Sungazer, is agirdledlizardfoundonlyintheHighveldgrasslandsoftheFreeState andMpumalanga provinces of South Africa. This iconicspecies is facing impending extinction due to anthropogenicthreatsincludinghabitatloss,habitattransformation(through


agricultureandmining)andillegalharvestingfor the international pet and localtraditional medicine trade. SungazersarelistedasVulnerableontheIUCNRedDataList,andhavealsobeenlistedonCITESAppendixIIsince1981,meaning

apermitisrequiredforinternationalimport and export. Additionally,

they are also listed under theSouth African Threatened

or Protected

Species list (ToPS) in terms of the National EnvironmentalManagement: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) (NEMBA)and thus apermit is requiredapermit for catching, hunting,transporting,importing,exporting,killingorpossessionwithinSouth Africa.With all this inmind, we have embarked on astudywiththeaimofestablishingwhereanimalsaresourced,thepricetheyaresoldfor,turnoverratesandusesintraditionalmedicine.

ThehistoricalnaturaldistributionrangeofSungazersfallswithinthe Highveld Agricultural region, where 40% of the habitathas been irreversibly transformed for crop monoculture.Furthermore, Sungazers have customarily beenharvested for

use in traditional medicine across their distribution range.In recenttimeshowever, theyhavebeen found in traditionalmedicine(muthi)marketsoutsideofthespeciesdistribution,intheneighbouringprovincesofKwaZulu-NatalandGauteng.Thespeciesispurchasedbytraditionalhealers(sangomas)whousepowderedbodypartstomakepotionsthatwillbeusedtotreatvariousailmentsandculturalbeliefs.Currentlytheextentandthe impactof the traditionalmedicine tradeon theSungazerpopulationarepoorlyknown.Moreover,theusesofthespeciesby healers and traditionalmedicine consumers are vague. Ina d d i t i o n , the extent of trade in Sungazers for

the local and internationalmarket has not been

investigated.

In order toconduct this study, 20 towns in the Free State

wereselectedandvisited, fromFebruary2016todate.Interviews were conducted using semi-structuredquestionnaires.Wewouldactivelysearch for traditional

healers and traders whowerewilling to participate in theinterviews. Whilst driving through the various locations, welooked out for flags that healers displayed on their gates.Flagpoles are used as an indication to potential clients thatthereisatraditionalhealerresidinginthehouse.However,notallhealersusethismethod.Intheeventthattherewerenoflagsondisplay,wewouldask the locals if theyknewa traditionalhealer in the vicinity that they could refer us to. Traditionalhealerswereinterviewedregardingtheusesofthespecies intraditionalmedicine,conservationconcernsandknowledgeofanylawsthatprotectwildlife.

Approximately 130 healers were approached, and 87participated in the interviews. At present, our data illustrate


thatthewholeanimal,exceptfortheintestines,isusedtomaketraditionalmedicine.Inaddition,mosthealersusefatsfromtheanimal. Fatsareused for theprotectionofahousehold fromevil spirits and the restof the carcass is ground intopowder,whichwill then be used for other ailments.When preparingthetraditionalmedicinebothsexesareusedintheconcoction.Traditional healers believe that it is vital to use both sexeswhenpreparingthemedicinebecauseSungazersaregenerallyfound inpairs inthewild,whichaffirmstheirprincipaluseofstrengtheninganeternalbondbetweenmarriedindividuals.

The Sungazers are used to treat various ailments includingepileptic seizures, helping an infant who is unable to walk,to treat strokes, and to protect households from evil spiritssuch as lightning spells. The use of the species in traditionalmedicinediffersfromonehealertothenext.Nonetheless,themostcommonusesaretocreateabondbetweencouples(lovepotion), and toensure thatwomen inpolygamousmarriagestolerate and love each other and are submissive to theirhusbands.

Whatisthoughtprovokingisthatauthentictraditionalhealersare aware of sustainable use and promote it. Most healersstated that they only use two animals (male and female) forthreetofiveyears.Furthermore,theydon’tbuyanimalsfromhuntersiftheydon’tneedthemoriftheystillhavespecimensin their collection. Traditional healers are also concernedabouttheperceiveddecline inSungazerpopulationsovertheyears,attributing it tohabitat lossduetourbandevelopmentandover-harvestingdue toan increase in traditionalhealers.However,notallhealersbelievethatthespeciesisthreatened.AnimalsarepurchasedfromhuntersatanaveragepriceofR50percarcass.However,itwasnotedthatsomehuntersmaysellthemforR500percarcass.

Todate,wehavenotinterviewedhuntersorcollectors,becausethey are mostly minors and ethical constraints need to beconsidered.Furtherconclusionswillbedrawnwhenthestudyiscompleted.

This work is done with the support of Tshwane University of Technology and the South African National Biodiversity Institute

Dr. Lizanne Roxburgh, Senior Scientist, Conservation Science [email protected]

TheEndangeredWildlifeTrustregularlypublishesthe results of our conservation science researchin scientific journals, so that our work cancontribute to a growing body of knowledge onconservationscience.Herewehighlightourmostrecentscientificpublicationsandotherimportantscience-relatednews.

Putting South African mammals on the map: updating the national Mammal Red list The EWT and the South African NationalBiodiversity Institute (SANBI) launched the 2016


RedListofMammalsofSouthAfrica,LesothoandSwazilandinDecember2016.

The2016RedListofMammalswasfundedbySANBI(throughagrantbytheNorwegianGovernmentthataimstobuildcapacityintheSouthernAfricaregionforundertakingassessments),theEWT,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairs,EOppenheimer& Son and the De Beers Group of Companies, and severalspecieschampions.

TheprojectentailstheprocessofupdatingtheNationalMammalRed List. Red Lists are used globally to assess the extinctionrisk of species and to guide governments and conservationorganisations to prioritise their conservation efforts on thosespecies that are most threatened with extinction. Red Listassessmentsaredoneinastandardisedwaysothatassessmentsarecomparableacrosstheworldandbetweendifferentspecies.The Red List covers all of South Africa’s indigenousmammalspecies, from the smallest Critically Endangered Juliana’sGoldenMole,toeconomicallyimportantandrelativelycommonspeciesthatareusedforwildliferanching,suchasCapeBuffalo,Sable,KuduandBlesbok,topopularcharismaticspecies,suchasLeopards,rhinosandWildDogs,thatarebecomingincreasinglythreatenedandrestrictedtofencedgamereserves.

The assessment process involves gathering data fromresearchers,NationalParksandotherprotectedareasurveys,citizenscientists,museumsandNGOs.Thesedataareintegratedintoasingledatabase,analysedandmapped.AfterapplyingtheRed List criteria, writing assessments and consulting experts,thefinalassessmentsarepublished.Thisisahugecollaborativeproject that, for thefirsttime,hasproduceda largenationalmammal occurrence database that can be used for detailedmappingandspatialanalyses.Thisprovidesthebasisformorerobust and objective assessments to be done, an importantbaseline for futureRed List re-assessments,whichare ideallyrepeatedevery10to15years.

Making mapsDevelopinggeographicrangemapsforspeciesandcalculatingthe extent of species ranges is one of the most importantcriteriathatisusedtocategorisethestatusofaspeciesfortheRedList.Thegeographicrangeofaspeciesistypicallyassessedusing twomeasures: theextentofoccurrence (EOO)and theareaofoccupancy(AOO).

The EOO is equivalent to the range of the species and theAOOencompasses thoseareaswithin theEOOthataspeciesactuallyuses.Forexample,aforestspecieswillonlybefoundwithinforestpatcheswithinitsEOO,andnotwithingrasslandorwoodland.

ThusAOOisnearlyalwayssmallerthanEOO.The size of a species’ EOO and AOO is used to assess howvulnerableitistoextinction.Inaddition,withlandusechangeand, specifically, conversion of natural land to agriculture orurban settlements, species are losing their habitats, leadingto declines in their population sizes. The extent of declinesinhabitatsize isalsousedtoassessaspeciesvulnerability toextinction.

The Challenge Tomap the distribution and assess the status of all of SouthAfrica’s 300+ mammal species for the National Red List, animportantdocumentthatguidesconservationactionandsetsnationalprioritiesforthenextdecade.

The Solution EsriSouthAfrica is the leadingmapping technologycompanyinSouthAfrica.Ageographic informationsystem(GIS) letsusvisualize,question, analyse, and interpretdata tounderstandrelationships, patterns, and trends. Esri South Africa is acommitted, socially conscious and responsible company,supporting organizations working in conservation, education,environmental management, sustainable development andhumanitarian affairs. The EWT has joined Esri’s NonprofitProgramme, which provides software and technology grantstoNPOsandNGOssotheseorganisationscanbuildtheirowndata,usegovernmentdata,andbemoreactiveparticipantsinmaintainingthehealthofourplanet.

Esri GIS technology was used for precise calculation ofgeographicrangesfor300+mammalsforthe2016RedListofMammals.

AnexampleistheTreeHyrax,whichisanEndangeredhyraxordassiespecies.Thistree-dwellingmammalisrestrictedtoforest habitats occurring along the coast and inland areasin the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. WithstandardizedtechniquesandGISsoftware,itsEOOcannowbe calculated as 49,232 km2, while its area of occupancywithinforestpatchesisonly503km2.Thesevaluescannowbe objectively re-calculated in future revisions of the RedList,andconservationactiononthegroundcanbedirectedtothecorrectforestpatcheswithinitsdistributionrange.

relevant links: •Mammaloftheweek(http://www.ewt.org.za)• 2016Mammal Red List assessments (https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html)


doppio zeRoDoppioZeropridethemselvesonbeinganintegralpartof thecommunities inandaroundtheir restaurants.They’realsopassionateabouttheenvironment,andwork diligently to help both their restaurants andpartner schools “go green” by focusing on recyclingandreducingtheirfootprint.

Tothisend,theyrecentlyranafundraisingcampaignin partnershipwith their customerswherebyR4 foreveryspecially-createdrhinobiscuit(R2fromDoppioZero and R2 from each customer who purchased arhinobiscuit)wasdonatedtotheEWT.Thecampaignwasahuge successandwith thehelpof their loyalcustomers,theysold5,203biscuitsandraisedR20,812thatwillgototheEWT’srhinoconservationwork.


With August beingWomen’sMonth in South Africa, and ourfocusinthiseditionofConservation Mattersbeingontrade,wedecidedtocatchupwithsomeofthewomenofourWildlifeinTradeProgrammeteam.

ASHLEIGH DorE – ATTornEy (non-PrACTISInG) AnD tRAining cooRdinAtoRAshleighcompletedherLLBattheUniversityofPretoriaanddidherarticlesofclerkshipatENS.SheisanadmittedattorneyandiscurrentlyworkingongettingherLLMinenvironmentallawattheUniversityofCapeTown.HerpositionattheEWTseesherwearingmanyhats,butherprimaryrolesarebuildingcapacityandawarenessinthelawenforcementsectortotacklewildliferelated crimes and working on environmental legal matterswhenandwheretheyarise.

What excites you about this position?Itisincrediblydynamic,theworkisexcitingandmeaningful,ittakesmetobeautifulplacesandit’swonderfultobeinvolvedinprojectswhichresultinonthegroundimpactsonconservationinSouthAfrica.

What role do you think women have to play in conservation?Ithinkallpeople,men,womenandchildrenhaveroletoplayinconservationinSouthAfrica.Section24oftheConstitutionprovidestherighttoanenvironmentthatisnotharmfultoone’shealth and wellbeing and this right is for all South Africans,sowe all have a duty to ensure this right is realised.One ofthemostprominentenvironmental issues Ihavealwaysbeenpassionateaboutistheenvironmentalimpactofminingontheecosystemandnearbycommunities.

If you had to get stuck in a lift with anyone, who would it be and why? WinstonChurchill.Ithinkhehadthemostincrediblestrengthofcharacterandthatitwouldbefascinatingtospeaktosomeonelikethatinperson.

What advice would you give to a woman who wants to work in conservation?Togoforit,don’tletanythingstandinthewayofpursuingyourdreams!

Dr KELLy MArnEWICK – SenioR tRAde oFFiceR

Kelly wanted to work in conservation from childhood. ShecompletedaBScandanHonours inZoologyattheUniversityof Johannesburg (then RAU)where she did a lot ofwork onfreshwaterandfish.She thenwent to theCentre forWildlifeManagement at the University of Pretoria for her MSc andPhDwhichbothfocusedonCheetahs,withherPhDincludingAfricanWildDogtoo.Shespentmanyyearsworkinginthefieldin Thabazimbi in Limpopo where she worked on carnivoresoutsideofprotectedareas.

Herfieldworkdaystaperedoffwhensheenteredamanagerialrole intheEWT’sCarnivoreConservationProgramme,butyetagain,shecontinuedtolearnandmetsomewonderfulpeople.


Afterabout six yearsofmanaging theCCP, shemoved intoanewrolein2017intheWildlifeinTradeProgrammeandisveryexcitedabouttheopportunitiesandchallengesshehasaheadofherasanothernewdoorinhercareeropens.

Oneofhermain roles is overseeing theConservationCanineProject,whichworkswithpartners to trainandprovidedogsin the fight against rhino poaching and other wildlife crime.Thedogsaretrainedeithertotrackpoachersinthefieldortodetectwildlifecontrabandlikeivory,rhinohorn,pangolinscalesand ammunition. Kelly has some experience with detectiondogsassheusedherStaffieinthefieldtolookforCheetahscat(droppings)whenshewasinThabazimbi.SheisalsoresponsiblefordoingallthemonitoringandevaluatingforthevastamountoftrainingthattheWildlifeinTradeProgrammedoes.HerrolealsoinvolvesworkingwiththeCITESconventionandthevarioustoolsandprocesses thatareavailable toensure that trade inwildlifeandwildlifeproductsissustainable.

What excites you about this new position?Ifeelitisanareathatcanmakeahugedifferencetothesurvivalandwelfareofspeciesifitiseffectivelycontrolled.Ienjoythemulti-faceted nature of the issues that finds us exposed topet trade with the super wealthy; the medicinal trade withtraditional healers; the organised crime world; the variouscomplexareasof the lawandprosecutionandscientistswhostudy trade routes, processes and economics. I am alwaysin awe of the highly motivated and brave law enforcementofficialswithwhomweworkwhocaresopassionatelyaboutwildlife that they face threats to their life. I amalso excitedaboutgettingbacktotheresearchthatIenjoyandusingnewand exciting technologies and methods to assist in the fightagainstwildlifecrime.AndthenthereistheCITESconvention–ahugehairycomplexbeast,butalwaysfuntonavigateandunderstandthecomplexitiesof.

What role do you think women have to play in conservation?Idon’tnecessarilythinkourgendershoulddeterminetherolewe play in the industry. I have however found that in somecases,beingawomanhashelped,forexample,whenworkingwithfarmerswhoarefacingchallengeswithcarnivores-theyaremorelikelytobepolitetoawoman!

If you had to get stuck in a lift with anyone, who would it be and why? JohnEdwards,themedium.Heisfascinating!

What advice would you give to a woman who wants to work in conservation?Godoit!Getqualified,getexperienceanddowhateverittakesto bewhere youwant. Don’t expect to land your dream jobaftergraduating,bepreparedforthegruntwork:takeminutes,washlabequipment,cleandatabasesanddoitallforfree!

nDIFELAnI MuLAuDzI – Field oFFiceRNdigrewupinVhembevillageinLimpopo,andfromayoungage,aftervisitingazoo,herwishwastoworkwithwildlife.AfterMatric, she studiedNatureConservation,and in2014, joinedtheEWTasaGroenSebenzaIntern.Ndisaysthatwasthestartofherdreamcometrueas shewas theRhinoProject intern.She sees herself as a lady behind the war on illegal wildlifetradeandpoachingaroundthecountry.Herroleinvolvestakingresponsibilityforthecollationofwildlifetradedata,particularlyasitrelatestoelephantsandrhinos,andprovidingwildlifetradeawarenessraisingorenvironmentaleducationtomembersofthepublic.

What excites you about this position?Thisjoboffersexcitingopportunitiestobecomewiserandgainbetter understanding about wildlife smuggling. I also reallyenjoy the environmental education element of my role, as Iloveengagingwithhighschoollearnersaroundenvironmentalissuessuchasrhinopoaching.

What role do you think women have to play in conservation?Womenweresidelinedforaverylongtime,andwereconsideredasunfit tobe conservators. Timeshave changedandwomenhaveasbig a role asmen toplay in conservation–weneedtoprotectthewell-beingofbiodiversity.Conservationmaybeseenasadangerousjobordifficultresponsibility,nonethelessitiseveryone’sdutytotakecareoftheenvironment.Conservationis a very dynamic and diverse sector that needs the wholecommunitytostandtogether.


If you had to get stuck in a lift with anyone, who would it be and why?YolanFriedmann.She’saveryintelligentandpowerfulwoman,andshehasinspiredmealot.IwishIcanbeinherbootsoneday!

What advice would you give to a woman who wants to work in conservation?When working in the conservation sector, you must bepassionate and willing to work very hard, and you must bereadytobeexposedtotheoutdoors.Beadventurous,andloveandenjoywhatyouaredoingonadailybasis.

OurTrusteesarealsoavitalpartofthepack,andsowechattedtosomeofthewomenfromthisteamtoo.

LESEGo rAMMuSI – ewt tRuSteeLesego believes that a person should never stop to growingtheirknowledgeandlearningfromalllifeexperiences.ShehasaMastersinManagementDevelopmentfocusingonCorporateSocial Responsibility from North West University, a degreein Environmental Management from Tshwane University ofTechnology,and15years’workingexperienceinSustainability,SocialandEnvironmentalmanagementworkingforminingandindustry.What prompted you to become an EWT Trustee?IwantedtoworkwithanNGOinordertogrowmyknowledgeandalsouseandsharemyskillsandknowledgeforgood.

What role do you think women have to play in conservation?Nurturingandprotectingissomethingthatcomesnaturallytowomen,andassuch,thatnaturalabilitycanalsobeappliedtoprotectingthenaturalenvironmentandspecies.

What is the best piece of advice you think every woman should hear?Allthestrengthyouneedtopursueyourdreamsandpassionsiswithinyou.

MArILyn THoMAS – ewt tRuSteeIn 1976,Marilyn attended a talk at Old Eds by John Ledger.Shewasafledglingbirdwatcherandwas fascinated to learnmoreaboutvultures.ShejoinedtheVultureStudyGroupandthenmetCliveWalkerattheEWT.ThefirsteditionofQuaggamagazine was in progress and she sold advertising to ourcorporate sponsors.After a year inNelspruit,where shewasa safari guide forComair in theKrugerPark, she returned toJohannesburgandjoinedtheEWTasamanager,basedattheZoo.ShefrequentlygavepresentationsabouttheTrust’sworkandalsodevelopedatalkbasedonabook‘TheImportantRoleof Women in Conservation in Developing Countries’ on thefindingsoftheIUCN.Thereisindisputableevidencethat,withsupportandencouragement,womencanfarmsustainablyandprovidefoodfortheirfamilies.ShewasappointedaTrusteein1990andcontinuestorepresenttheTrust,althoughnowlivinginCapeTown.

What is the best piece of advice you think every woman should hear?My best piece of advice - the motto of my primary school,EastleighPrimary,whichis‘AimHigh’.


KIyASHA THAMbI – ewt tRuSteeKiyashaisaqualifiedattorney,andalecturerattheUniversityoftheWitwatersrand, where she lectures company law, environmentallaw,andtaxlaw.Sheisalsoanartistandacreativementor.

What role do you think women have to play in conservation?As women, we are not only nurturers by nature, custodians tothe family nucleus, societies and organisations within which weengage,butwehavetheabilitytoinfluenceandaffectchange.Andassuch,wecaneducate,createawarenessandinspireappreciationand responsibility for nature and its conservation. The move toraiseconsciousnessstartswithonesmallstep.Weunderestimatethe rolewecanplayaswomen todaynotonly forourselvesbuthumanityandbeingsonthisplanet.AsKatsiCooksays,“Womanis thefirst environment. Inpregnancy,ourbodies sustain life.Atthe breast of women, the generations are nourished. From thebodiesofwomenflowstherelationshipofthosegenerationsbothtosocietyandthenaturalworld.Inthisway,earthisourmother,theoldpeoplesaidinthiswayweareearth.”(MohawkMidwife).

What is the best piece of advice you think every woman should hear?Within each of us is a legacy, ancestral wisdom and immensepotential.May you always remainmindful of this. Acknowledgeandcelebratewhoyouare.Butwiththatcomesimmensepowerandresponsibility.Thinkaboutthat...


Sign up for one of the exciting courses atWildlifeCampus,and25%ofyourtuitionfeewillbedonatedtotheEWT!PleaseusethereferenceEWTwhen registering, and you’ll be helping to makeConservationinActionpossible!

Viewtheavailablecoursesathttp://www.wildlifecampus.com/

ReMeMbeRing nick hilteRMAnnWeare fortunate at the EWT to know and have the supportofincrediblepeoplelikeNickHiltermann,andweweredeeplysaddenedwhenhepassedaway.WeworkedcloselywithNickduring the fight against coal mining near the MapungubweWorldHeritageSite,atwhichtimeNickwastheChairmanoftheMapungubweActionGroup.Nick’spassionfortheenvironmentand theworkof theEWT leadhim to supportusnotonly inlife but to remember us in hiswill aswell, forwhichwe areextremelygrateful.

NickwasalsooneoftheownersofTuliSafariLodge,andPeterFitt,afellowmemberofNotugrelandownersassociation, remembers him with greatfondnessandadmiration.Hesays:“Nickwas aman ofmany parts and appliedhimself single-mindedly to anything hetackled. Gently spoken and of a slight build,onemightnothaveguessedathisdedicationand commitment to a number of interests.Hisengineeringbackgroundblossomedinhisloveofcars,andheownedtwoLandcruisers,onehighlycustomisedtocopewithanumberof adventurous trips to the wildest parts ofsouthern Africa. His capacious garage alsohousedanACCobraandaspecialisedPorscheGT3. Nick, being Nick, completed advanceddrivingtestswithBMWandPorsche.WewentoutforadayonceinthePorscheinhislatterdays and, despite a heavily bandaged handcausedbythemaladministrationsofaclumsy

nurse,hedrovevirtuallyone-handedandfullydemonstratedtheawesomepowerofhisbelovedmachine.Iamabadpassengerandusedtocallhimacoffeebarcowboybuthedrovewithamanicandexplosiveexpertisethatleftmecomfortable.

He loved the precision ofmachinery and had a fondness forguns and shooting. In short order and consistent with hisdrivingambitionstosucceed,hebecameaSpringbokshottist.HewasalsoafastmiddledistancerunnerandtrainedwiththelikesofSoniaLaxtonandanumberofSpringboks.Acoupleofyearsbeforehisdeath,whenhewas59yearsold,heholidayedintheUK.Duringthattime,hevisitedtheveryathleticstrackwhereRogerBannisterfirstbrokethefour-minutemile.Nottobeoutdone,Nickdonnedapairof takkiesand,wearing longtrousers,sprintedatimedmilehimself.Hediditinanincredible4minutes19seconds.

HispassionfortheenvironmentledhimtoenrollwithAfricanNature Training, where he studied intensively for a full yearand romped through his final exams with exemplary marks.AnybodywhoknewNickwellwouldtestifytohisencyclopaedicknowledgeofthebush.


Hisinterestinphotographyinevitablypropelledhimtoimmersehimselfinthesubjecttoapointwhereheattendedanumberofcoursesandattainedprofessionallevelsofexpertise.Someone–andregrettablyIdon’tknowwho–wroteabookonthewildflowersofSouthAfricaandNicktravelledaroundthecountryandproducedthemajority,ifnotall,ofthephotographswhichillustratedthebook.MuchofthetimewespenttogetherinthebushwouldseeNickflatonhisstomachinthedustfilmingsomeminisculebutexquisiteblossom.Hisphotographsofbaobabswere legendary and Tuli Safari Lodge has honoured him bypublishingsomeintheirinternationaladvertisingmaterial.

Undoubtedly,thegreatestillustrationofNick’sdedicationandselflessnesswas in his orchestration of the fight against VeleColliery.When the news first leaked in 2009 of the plannedopen-cast coal mine, Vele Colliery and the adjacent thermalpower station, Mulilo, not 5 km from Mapungubwe WorldHeritage site, Nick pledged to abandon all other calls uponhis energies and to devote himself full-time to saving forposteritythismagicalandmysticalarea,theculturalepicentreof southern Africa and essential component of our plannedTransfrontierConservationArea.HeimmediatelyregisteredasanIAPforbothprojectsandsetaboutspearheadingtheattackbyformingtheMapungubweActionGroup,whichhechairedandwhichmusteredacoalitionofinfluentialNGOstocombatthethreat,ofwhichtheEWTwasone.

Nickdevotedhimselffull-timetothiscauseforthreeyearsuntilillhealthforcedhimtoturnaside.Iplayedaminorsupporting

rolewithparticularemphasisonpublicisingwhatwasarelativelyunknownpartoftheworldundergoingathreatthatwouldnothavemeritedafewlinesonthe7thpageofanobscurepublication.WhenIsaythatIdidthisfortwoyearsandwaswrestlingwith50–60emailsaday,sevendaysaweek,youwillhavesomeideaoftheenormityofNick’scontributionwhichfaroutweighedmine.Wemay not have achieved ourultimategoalofblockingVeleCollieryinperpetuitybut the battle is ongoing and we were able tocelebrate many victories along the way. Recently,CALS published a book detailing the history andsignificanceofMapungubweandafullrecordofthebattle to eliminate themining threat. Itwas calledThe Mapungubwe Story – a Campaign for ChangeandthebookwasdedicatedtoNick.

Inconclusion,Nickdid,inhismodestandunderstatedway,endowallhisfriendsintheNETuliwithagreatgift,thegiftofhisintellect.Hisquietreasoningandlimpidclarityofthoughtcalmedmanyapotentiallyconfrontational debate at the Notugre Exco boardtable.Hismanycontributions to thewelfareof theareawereuntaintedbyeventhesuggestionofself-interest.Hedemonstratedamagnanimityofthoughtandapurityofethicwhichstillremainsabeacontoall.EachofusknewNickseparatelyandeachofushaslostamanwhoenrichedourlivesinsomanypreciousways.Nickwasindividualistic,evenirreverent,buthewasaperceptiveanddeeply sensitivemanand, tome, not just a valued colleaguebut thedearest offriends. Iaskmyselfnow……whateverdesolationofspiritImayfeelathispassing,howcanIspeakofalosswhenIhavegainedsomuchfromknowinghim?Iamsuremanyofyoufeelexactlythesame.”

We certainly share Peter’s feelings at the EWT, and areimmenselyprivilegedtohaveknownandworkedwithNick.Nickwasagreatcatalystforchangeandhispassionforconservation,WildDogsandtheTuliblockinparticular,resultedintheEWThavingenjoyeda longand fruitful relationshipwithhim.Nickwas instrumental in garnering the attention of the EWT andeventuallyanentirecoalitionofNGOstorunoneofthelargestand most successful campaigns to protect a World HeritageSite frommining, and through this, Nick helped to steer thecourseofthefutureoftheMapungubwelandscape;driveoneofthemostsuccessful,multi-partnercoalitionsinthecountry;develop critical skills in the partner organisations; stimulatepublicinterestinthisremarkableregion;andleavehismarkoneveryonehemet.ThankyouNick.

IfyouwouldliketofindoutmoreaboutleavingalegacyfortheEWT,pleasecontactTammyBakerbyemailing

[email protected]


enviRonMentAl dAyS• 1-7September2017:NationalArbourWeek

• 2September2017:InternationalVultureAwarenessDay

• 22September2017:WorldRhinoDay

• 1-31October2017:TransportMonth

• 2October2017:WorldHabitatDay

• 4October2017:WorldAnimalDay

• 9-15October2017:NationalMarineWeek

countRy club JohAnneSbuRg tAlkS• 5September2017:Afascinationwithvultures

• 3October2017:Threatenedamphibians

ewt eventS• 20October2017:EWTeaandTalkatWalterSisuluBotanicalGardens–GrassOwls

• 19November2017:947CycleChallenge

PleaseensurethatyouRSVPtoourCountryClubJohannesburgtalksshouldyouwishtoattend,asaminimumnumberofguestsmustbereachedbeforethetalkcanproceed.Thisalsoallowsustoknowwhotogetintouchwithifthereareany

unforeseenchanges!

EWTea & TalkWalterSisuluBotanicalGardens–GrassOwls-20October2017



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DearReaders

Canyoubelievethatspringisaboutto…spring?Itseemsalittlecrazythatwe’reheadingtowardstheendoftheyearatarapidrate,butthisisdefinitelyoneofmyfavouritetimesofyear.Springisatimetoreflectongrowthopportunitiesorfreshstarts.Andofcourse,it’stheperfecttimetogetbackoutdoorsifyou’vebeenhibernatingthiswinter,andgetbackintouchwithnature.WhatbetterwaytodothatthentocelebrateArbourWeek,atthebeginningofSeptember.Traditionallythisisdonebyplantingatree(andmakeitindigenousplease!).Ofcourse,manyofusliveinurbanenvironmentswherethisisnotalwayspossible.Ifyoudon’thaveagardentoplantatreein,whynotconsiderawindowsillgardentogiveyourkitchensomegreenery,ordonatingplantsorvegetableseedstoaschoolinneed?Youcouldalsosimplyenjoysometimeinnatureastheweatherstartstowarmup.Ifyou’reinGauteng,whynotpopintotheModderfonteinReserve,whichismanagedbytheEWT,andenjoynatureonyourdoorstep?

Ihopeyou’veenjoyedthepenultimateeditionofConservation Mattersfor2017.Asalways,andinthespiritofgrowthopportunities,we’dlovetohearfromyouifyouhaveanysuggestionsofhowwecouldimprovethecontentordesignofthemagazine.YoucandropmeamailatMwitu@ewt.org.za

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Documents

Issue 5 – The Trade Edition August - September 2017opus.sanbi.org/bitstream/20.500.12143/5589/1/Magazine... · 2018-02-01 · 3 Conservation Matters - Issue 5: The Trade Edition