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Media Release: SA & Mozambique to sign MoU in the field of Biodiversity, Conservation & Management
Mozambique is regarded as a priority country for South Africa within the SADC region and South Africa recognises the need for engaging with Mozambique on wildlife management. This is particularly with respect to addressing the scourge of rhino poaching within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), as escalating incidences of poaching have become a major challenge within the GLTP to rhino populations.
The signing of the MOU between the two countries follows extensive negotiations, and less than a year since a bilateral meeting took place on 14 June 2013 in Maputo, Mozambique, between Minister Molewa and Minister Muária.
It was acknowledged at the June 2013 meeting that a government-to-government MOU on Cooperation in the field of Biodiversity, Conservation and Management was required to assist in addressing wildlife crimes, including rhino poaching.
The conclusion of the agreement comes as the number of rhino poached in South Africa since the start of 2014 increased to 277. The number of alleged poachers arrested since January 1, 2014, has risen to 86.
A total of 166 rhino have been poached in the Kruger National Park, 34 in Limpopo, 32 in North West, and 24 in KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.
Rhino poaching statistics:
| SA | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KNP (SANParks) | 146 | 252 | 425 | 606 | 166 |
| MNP (SANParks) | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| GP | 15 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| LIM | 52 | 74 | 59 | 114 | 34 |
| MP | 17 | 31 | 28 | 92 | 10 |
| NW | 57 | 21 | 77 | 87 | 32 |
| EC | 4 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| FS | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| KZN | 38 | 34 | 66 | 85 | 24 |
| WC | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| NC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 333 | 448 | 668 | 1004 | 277 |
Rhino poaching arrests statistics :
| SA | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KNP (SANParks) | 32 | 133 | 73 | 82 | 67 |
| MNP (SANParks) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gauteng (GP) | 0 | 10 | 26 | 16 | 10 |
| Mpumalanga (MP) | 2 | 34 | 66 | 73 | 16 |
| Eastern Cape (EC) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Limpopo (LIM) | 20 | 70 | 43 | 34 | 36 |
| North West (NW) | 8 | 26 | 32 | 21 | 2 |
| Free State (FS) | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| KZN | 24 | 63 | 20 | 4 | 25 |
| Western Cape (WC) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Northern Cape (NC) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 86 | 343 | 267 | 232 | 165 |
For media queries, contact:
Albi Modise on 083 490 2871
Issued by:
The Department of Environmental Affairs