South Africa and Vietnam join hands against rhino poaching
10:00 (GMT+2), Sat, 15 September 2012
By Staff Reporter
Efforts to address the ongoing poaching of South Africa’s rhinos will be stepped up when a memorandum of understanding is signed with the Vietnam government in October.
The 11th Conference of the Parties – COP 11 – on the Convention on Biological Diversity takes place in Hyderabad in India from 8 to 19 October. According to the Department of Environmental Affairs, 373 rhinos had already been killed by the beginning of September. There have been 199 arrests. The Kruger National Park has lost 229 rhinos to poaching. Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and North West continue to be hard hit by poachers, with a loss of 117 rhinos.
The memorandum of understanding to be signed will cover co-operation between South Africa and Vietnam in the field of biodiversity management, law enforcement, compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites)and other relevant legislation.
The public can report rhino poaching or give tip-offs at 0800 205 005.