JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s anti-COVID-19 blockade is known to have contributed to a dramatic drop in rhino killings, but as the country opens up, experts warn of a imaginable resurgence of poaching by one of the world’s most endangered mammals.
Renewed efforts are needed for the country’s rhino population, South African officials and wildlife activists said as World Rhino Day is celebrated on Tuesday.
South Africa’s national closure to combat the spread of the coronavirus imposed at the end of March and ended all domestic and foreign travel The country has gradually reopened and will allow foreign tourists to return on 1 October.
“The blockade gave us a chance. There was no foreign or local tourism and the blockade also prevented poachers from moving and we were able to comply with our cover measures,” said Albi Modise, spokesman for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.
In the first six months of 2020, the number of South African rhinos killed by poachers fell by more than 50% last year to 166, according to official statistics from the Department of the Environment.
“We realize that as the country opens up, we want our game to face the potential risk of poaching,” Modise told The Associated Press.
South Africa has around 20,000 rhinos, estimated at 80% of the world’s population, and the country has been greatly affected by poachers killing animals for the illegal foreign rhino horn industry. Other countries with rhino populations include Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
“While rhino murders have subsided this year, this can be transitional relief,” said Cathy Dean, executive director of Save the Rhino. “With the economic recession caused by coronavirus and the decline of tourism, many others are desperate and some with the resumption of foreign flights, we may see illegal seizures of rhino horns again, indicating a resumption of trade.
South Africa is deploying anti-poaching squadrons in its parks against rhinos, elephants and other poaching animals.
In KwaZulu-Natal province, a technologically complex “smart fence” is being built around Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, which alerts park rangers when an intruder tries to sneak into the park.
“The fence has internal and outdoor electrical circuits during its duration and any alteration or cut of the fence sends us a point message, indicating the location of the sabotage,” said Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the most sensitive provincial official in tourism rate. and environmental issues. A statement.
“Two sections of fences have been advanced to date and we have already noticed a change in rhino poaching activity outside of both areas,” dube-Ncube said, thanking the Wildlife ACT personal organization for its fence.
“They have invested resources, technicians and the delivery of donor investment to these key initiatives,” he said. “We expect to see a minimize reduction in poaching losses. “
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