NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO. 786 NW873E
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.6 OF 2014
DATE OF PUBLICATION 25 JULY 2014
786. Ms T Stander (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs:
(1) (a) How many rhinos have SA National Parks (SANParks) (i) sold, (ii) given away or (iii) culled since 1 January 2010, (b) how much money has been raised through the sale of rhinos since 1 January 2010, (c) what were the funds spent on, (d) when were tenders for the sale of SANParks rhinos publicised and (e) who were the successful bidders;
(2) whether she has established that the entities to whom tenders were awarded had no links to any government officials; if so, (a) were any links established, (b) who were the officials and (c) what links do they have with the entities;
(3) (a) how much will it cost the department to relocate 250 rhinos to the proposed secret locations, (b) how does this compare to the cost of protecting them from poaching and (c) will SANParks go ahead with the planned relocation of rhinos;
(4) (a) why was the SANParks' contract with Pathfinder terminated and (b) what measures are currently in place to (i) gather and (ii) share intelligence that can lead to the conviction of rhino poachers and syndicates?
786. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS REPLIES:
1(a)(i) 354.
1(a)(ii) Six.
1(a)(iii) None.
1(b) R 81 060 538 (excluding VAT)
1(c) SANParks accumulates all income from the sale of animals in a special fund called the Park Development Fund. This Fund is used by SANParks for numerous conservation-related projects including: acquisition of land for inclusion into national parks, research projects in the biophysical and social sciences relevant to national parks, scientific reports and community beneficiation projects.
1(d) Before 2012, tenders for the sale of rhinos were advertised in various public newspapers. This practice was stopped in 2012 for security reasons. Therefore the recent sale of rhino was not publicised.
1(e) Names cannot be published due to exposure and security risks.
2. Not aware of any government officials linked to the entities to whom tenders were awarded.
3(a) The costs associated with relocation of rhino depends on various factors such as distance, type of equipment, weather, topography, size of the rhino, number of rhinos and expertise employed therefore the exact costs cannot be provided.
(b) The Department does not cost the protection of each Rhino, costs related to the protection of rhino are for the whole Rhinos population in a particular area and this therefore depends on the size of the area, vegetation type, the threat level, topography, proximity to identified risks, type of equipment used, and available intelligence.
(c) Decision has not yet been made in relation to the relocation, however, relocation is undertaken as part of a conservation principle to manage the Rhino population and encourage expansion. SANParks is currently drafting an integrated rhino conservation strategy involving a number of possible actions, including innovative technologies, movement of rhinos to safer locations, greater involvement of communities in rhino conservation and international collaboration. The strategy will also include cost implications.
4(a) The scope of work and the appointment of Pathfinder was not properly consulted with the Security Cluster.
4(b) (i) and (ii) SANParks Rangers and SANParks Corporate Investigation Services are currently collaborating closely with the SAPS and SANDF to gather and share intelligence on wildlife crime. The relevant security structures are also working in this area.
Issued by Parliament, August 19 2014
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