PRESS RELEASE
Issued by the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa

Contact Details: Tel 012-667-2048; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www.phasa.co.za

PHASA REQUESTS MINISTER TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO COMBAT RHINO POACHING

Pretoria - The Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) has taken note of the Minister’s proposal to consider a moratorium on the hunting of rhinoceros. PHASA is a voluntary, non-profit organisation, acknowledged by Government as the mouthpiece for the legitimate professional hunting industry in South Africa. PHASA reiterates its willingness to assist Government in addressing any issue in relation to the protection of South Africa’s wildlife.

PHASA is extremely concerned about the rhino poaching situation in South Africa. However, there is no evidence to support a conclusion that a moratorium on hunting will stop the illegal supply of rhino horn. PHASA cautions that a moratorium could, in fact, have the effect of increasing rhino poaching as it would make the illicit trade in rhino horns even more profitable for poachers. A moratorium could further adversely impact those working hardest to protect rhino, being private rhino owners.

Minister Molewa mentioned in her statement earlier this week that “Illegal hunting and the abuse of the permit system may be the main threats that could impact on the survival of rhinos in the wild in the near future”.
PHASA points out that rhinos which are kept in national parks, are most threatened by poaching. A moratorium on rhino hunting would not serve to protect these rhinos as it is, in any event, illegal to hunt rhinos in national parks.

PHASA has repeatedly requested Government to improve the administration of the mechanisms in place to protect rhinos as such an improvement would significantly enhance the protection of rhinos. These administrative improvements should include improvements to law enforcement, policing and prosecuting of wildlife related contraventions. South Africa has only a handful of prosecutors who are trained to prosecute wildlife transgressions. Training of more prosecutors, police and magistrates to enforce wildlife protection laws is accordingly essential.

As PHASA has previously stated, it strongly condemns any illegal activities, any breach of local or international laws and/or any conduct designed to circumvent such laws. A moratorium on rhino hunting would possibly not assist in ensuring that laws are not circumvented and that rhinos are protected.

Issued by: Chief Executive Officer, Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa
Contact details: +27 (0)12-667-2048; 083-650-0442