Project News
Fighting for wildlife: Dr Roz Reeve (right) with Dr Bibhab Talukdar of the DSWF funded Aaranyak Society
CITES: Fighting for elephants and rhino by Dr Roz Reeve I recently had the privilege of representing DSWF at the 16th conference of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), held in Bangkok, Thailand. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, CITES has grown to become the most important global wildlife treaty, protecting about 5,000 species of animals and 29,000 species of plants against over-exploitation from international trade. Its decisions have far reaching implications for wildlife. Our priority was to achieve meaningful action to protect rhinos and elephants from the escalating poaching crisis and trafficking in rhino horns and ivory. As part of the Species Survival Network and Kenya Elephant Forum, and working alongside partner NGOs Aaranyak and Freeland, DSWF provided expert legal and policy advice to key countries, lobbied for the strongest measures possible to curb demand in consumer countries and strengthen enforcement, and fought moves to legalise trade. The outcome for rhinos was hailed a success. After tough negotiations, countries agreed to close loopholes facilitating illegal trade in horns (on “personal and household effects” and reexports of trophy-hunted horns), mandate consumer countries to develop long-term strategies to reduce demand, and take tougher enforcement action. Problem countries Vietnam and Mozambique were tasked with specific action to clamp down on trade and face the threat of sanctions if they fail to comply. The conference also saw breakthroughs with increased protection for sharks and tree species. Elephants, though, were less fortunate. Although modest gains were made - notably a requirement for DNA testing to trace the source of major ivory seizures and a mandate to countries of concern to provide action plans to tackle poaching and illicit trafficking - they were outweighed by missed opportunities and significant losses. No meaningful action was taken to reduce demand, particularly in China, which refused to acknowledge responsibility as the largest market, while a renewed mandate was given to develop a mechanism for “a process of trade in ivory”. Thus domestic markets for ivory and on-going negotiations to legalise trade will continue to fuel poaching and speculation. Sadly, CITES is a long way from agreeing what’s needed - an urgent, indefinite and comprehensive ban on ivory trade.
Poachers hoard - the Honey Badger Team with the freshly cut ivory, scales, snares and equipment courtesy of GRI
New unit set up in Zambia to counter ivory wars In response to the rapid increase in poaching across many elephant range states, Game Rangers International (GRI) with critical support from the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, have set up a Special Anti-Poaching Unit (SAPU) - pictured below - within the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA). This crack unit is located in the centre of the Kafue National Park and is made up of two rapid deployment teams geared up to respond to any call-outs or poaching incidents across the 64,000sqkm wildlife reserve. Included in their remit is the cleaning up of known poaching ‘hot spots’. Recently, the Honey Badger Team was scrambled when gun shots were heard at the top end of Lake Itezhi Tezhi. Here, where the Kafue River enters the lake, the expanse of water is narrow and it is easy for poachers (who are quite often disguised as local fishermen), to enter the park. Hot on the tracks of an eight man poaching gang the Honey Badger Team suddenly found themselves at the receiving end of a barrage of gun-fire. Using superior field tactics recently honed at the SAPU Induction Training Course the Honey Badger Team managed to over run the poachers’ position and secure all their contraband, which included five lengths of raw ivory. “The ivory was freshly removed and represents the death of three more elephants. One of them a massive bull. It is such a shame and so
frustrating,” says Sport Beattie, Honorary Warden for KNP and CEO of GRI. “We are doing the best we can, but the poachers always seem to have the upper hand. “ In this heist, however, weighing scales were found among the contraband signalling a change in modus operandi and suggesting that the poachers are killing to order and are directly connected to a specific buyer. “It also confirms the current demand for ivory is very high,” adds Beattie. “Each time we encounter a poacher we learn a little bit more about them and the unscrupulous businessmen they work for. We are continually gathering information from our informers and look forward to using this intelligence to launch a ‘sting’ operation and bring some of these dealers and traders to justice.” Despite their best efforts, resources and funds simply aren’t sufficient to cope with the challenges the teams face on a daily basis. “Horrible as it to admit, we are losing the Ivory War at the moment,” says Beattie. “We desperately need additional funding to purchase a land-cruiser to help combat the massive increase in poaching being experienced within the Park.” You can support the project by donating online at www.davidshepherd.org or calling 01483 272323
Sport Beattie with the newly formed Special Anti-poaching Unit, Zambia
Wildlife Matters Issue 42
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