The Constitutional Court in South Africa has reportedly dismissed an appeal by South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs to uphold a moratorium on the domestic trade in rhino horn. The following is a statement from Philip Muruthi, vice president for species protection from the African Wildlife Foundation:
It is a sad day for Africa’s rhino. The dismissal was made on appropriate legal grounds but from a conservation perspective, it is potentially disastrous for Africa’s imperiled rhino population.
Africa’s rhino—the majority of which reside in South Africa—have already suffered record levels of poaching to supply the illicit rhino horn trade. With the moratorium on domestic trade lifted in South Africa, criminal gangs now have legal cover under which to operate. This will complicate the efforts of law enforcement officials in Africa and Asia trying to determine whether rhino horn is being shipped legally.
We have already seen the damage a legal market can do with the elephant ivory trade over the past 25 years. The legal trade has muddied the waters for law enforcement combating illegal ivory trafficking, while removing the stigma once attached to owning, buying and selling ivory. This strategy has ultimately proven ineffective in stopping elephant poaching, and there is no reason to expect a different outcome for Africa’s rhino.
What’s more, a decision to legalize rhino horn trade could be interpreted as an endorsement of the erroneous belief that the horn contains medicinal properties. A rhino’s horn is made up of keratin, the same material found in human hair and nails. Consumers in many Asian countries, however, believe it can cure everything from a headache to cancer. If legalization is perceived as an endorsement, it could stimulate, rather than curtail, demand.
As we’ve stated previously, legalizing any rhino horn trade sends mixed messages to the marketplace at a time when a single, unambiguous message needs to be communicated to the millions—possibly billions—of existing and potential consumers of this product. The dismissal of the appeal is an indisputable setback for those trying to protect Africa’s rhino.
We at AWF despair for what this will mean for the survival of the species.
Save wildlife forever. Appreciation to AWF
Related
Published by Mbilinyi-Wildlife
Conservation has always been a major part of my life. Growing up I revered leaders like famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and conservationist Jane Goodall, and I dreamed of becoming a swayful wildlife conservationist one day. Some of my fondest memories are of exploring the Amani forests with my college's friend, learning about both the awesome power of nature the threats to its well being.
I ultimately pursued a career in wildlife management at college of African wildlife management -Mweka and my friends too become a conservationists. Together, we founded Saviours of Wildlife with our slogan that Who pays for wildlife and who benefits?.
I recognize there are many conservation organizations doing incredible work on behalf of our planet and the many species who call it home.
I wanted to create an organization that complemented and collaborated with these organizations, so we chose to focus on protecting lesser-known endangered species.
My speech
If there’s one thing we know about life on Earth, it is that all of our diverse animals, plants, soil structures and waterways are interconnected in complex ways, many of which we cannot fully understand. In order to maintain ecological balance, we need to focus on all of the puzzle pieces–and this is becoming harder to do as we lose more and more species to climate change and human activity.
Saviors of wildlife focuses on lesser-known species because they are our early-warning signals for larger issues facing the ecosystem. For example, amphibians have a tremendous impact on their environment. They are not the face of environmental conservation in the same way as elephants,rhinoceros or gorillas, but because of their size and genetic makeup, these creatures are much more sensitive to climate change.
For example, saviour of wildlife is working to save amphibians, reptiles but also supporting efforts of conserving big wildlife like Rhino, giraffe and elephants through conservation education and capacity building to wildlife practititoners.
Saviours of wildlife is also working to save the world’s most endangered marine mammals. Only about 30% are left in the wild due to them becoming entangled in gill nets set for illegal fishing activities.The marine creatures are the most endangered Species.
Our planet is facing a biodiversity crisis. Last month , I was fortunate to share comment with Jane Goodall to discuss this critical issue. She reminded the word that she spoke to me 5 years ago “don’t forget, every single one of you makes a difference every single day.”
As we sit on the brink of losing thousands of more species, throwing our future into jeopardy, I am now asking you to make smart decisions .Please join us in reversing this crisis and making our collective future more secure contact
Brighton Mbilinyi, saviours of wildlife,college of African wildlife management.
brightonfrancis91@gmail.com +255756 525739
View all posts by Mbilinyi-Wildlife
