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18 September 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Dr Francois Deacon
Rhino Conservation
Should the ban on trade in rhino horn be lifted and South Africa could generate financial incentives, a large percentage of the funds should be allocated towards the conservation of the Java, Sumatra and Indian rhino.

Water, cold, thirst, volcanoes …. and poaching, are causing the death of rhinos across the globe. 

Recently, a group of scientists and rhino activists met at the University of the Free State (UFS) to discuss the plight of rhinos in South Africa. Bringing an international perspective to the colloquium on global rhino conservation, were three delegates from Indonesia who are working with the most endangered rhinos on earth – the Javan and Sumatra rhinos. 

Dr Rudi Putra, a biologist, received a Goldman Environmental Prize in 2014 for his efforts to save the Sumatra rhinos – of which an estimated 65 individuals are left in the Gunung Leuser National Park. Muhamnad Syamsudin is responsible for a 30-person rhino protection unit, which has not lost one rhino to poaching in Ujung Kulon National Park in 19 years. The third person from the Indonesian delegation was Dr Firmanto Noviar Suwanda, a lead scientist in rhino observation data, with a 30-person rhino monitoring unit, also in Ujung Kulon National Park.

Also presenting at the colloquium, were researchers from an inter-disciplinary team at the UFS, who are working together to establish a rhino conservation model through research and teaching.

The colloquium was convened by the UFS.

Rhino Conservation Colloquium

At the colloquium to discuss the conservation of rhinos, were from the left: Dr Francois Deacon, Muhamnad Syamsudin
(responsible for a 30-person  rhino protection unit – not losing one rhino to poaching in  19 years in Ujung Kulon National Park),
Dr Rudi Putra (biologist who received a Goldman Environmental Prize in 2014 for his efforts to save the Sumatra rhinos), Dr Firmanto Noviar Suwanda
(lead scientist on the rhino observation data, with a 30-person rhino monitoring unit, 
also in Ujung Kulon National Park),  and Dr Willem Daffue. Photo: Charl Devenish

Rhino revolution 

According to Dr Willem Daffue, a veterinarian from Kroonstad, the world needs a rhino revolution. “What we have been doing, is not working,” he said.

South African rhino farmers own almost half of the rhino population in the country. Dr Daffue shared facts on rhinos introduced to private captivity. “In the beginning, the animals died of thirst (the white rhino cannot lift its head to drink from a water trough), cold, and killing each other. And then poachers killed them …”

In 2009, South Africa saw an unprecedented spike in horn poaching, resulting in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) implementing a ban on the sale of rhino horn within South Africa. The international sale of rhino horn – in an attempt to halt the unrelenting slaughter of rhinos in Africa and Asia – was already banned by CITES in 1977.

Role players agree that banning the trade in rhino horn is not the answer. The status quo is not working. 

For two weeks after the colloquium, Dr Deacon, Dr Daffue, and the Indonesians met with several role players in the rhino industry, including Dr Jana Pretorius (Rhino Pride Foundation), who established immediate, practical preventative measures to protect rhinos from poachers. Other people who were visited, were Dr Johan Marais (Saving the Survivors) who is tending injured endangered wildlife that have fallen victim to poaching, as well as Dr Danie Pienaar and Dr Markus Meyer (SANParks scientific services in the Kruger National Park’s Skukuza headquarters). They also knocked on the doors of Anton and Clive Walker (authors of Rhino Revolution) as well as Petronel Nieuwoudt (Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary NPC), who is one of the few people worldwide who specialise in the care of orphaned rhinos.

“All role players feel that if they could sell the horns, they could easily afford to keep the animals secure.  And the horns are harvestable. We just trim them – as with sheep's wool. They grow back at up to 10 cm (4 inches) a year,” explained Dr Deacon. 

“Decision making, specifically about legalising the trade in rhino horn, needs to change. Involved parties feel that countries must decide, or more specifically, the role players in the industry – people with a responsibility towards the animals. It must not be up to CITES,” he said. 

Rhino Conversation project
For two weeks after the colloquium, Dr Deacon, Dr Daffue, and the Indonesians met with several role players in the rhino industry.
Photo: Hester de Beer


Safety for all rhinos


CITES met at the same time that the UFS team hosted the Indonesian party. “The timing of the trip was perfect, because CITES and the ban was being discussed. The status quo remains, however, as the ban on rhino-horn trade was not lifted,” said Dr Deacon.”

“It became apparent – we simply will not allow trade of South African rhino horn if we cannot secure the wellbeing and a safe haven for the Java, Sumatra, and the Indian rhino. We strongly discourage any sort of trade if one species is favoured while the others are facing a dark future,” stated Dr Deacon.

They proposed to different stakeholders that, should the ban on trade in rhino horn be lifted and South Africa could generate financial incentives, a large percentage of the funds should be allocated towards the conservation of the three Asian rhinos.

More research

At the UFS, the interdisciplinary team is continuing to work on research to breed a hardened animal through the project ‘Ecological and biological factors regulating rhino in captive environments.’ They are in the process of collecting data from 750 rhinos across South Africa. Several members of the team presented at the colloquium. 

Prof Paul Grobler from the Department of Genetics informed attendees on the role of genetics in rhino protection, focusing on touch DNA. He said it only takes seven to eight cells to amplify touch DNA that could link a perpetrator to a crime scene. With rhino poaching, touch DNA can be applied on the skin of the animal by collecting skin cells with tape lifting or swabs. 

Rolene Grobler, also from the UFS Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, talked about how research on IVF, surrogacy, and cryopreservation of semen and embryos could be considered to save the rhino. 

Dr Hennie Butler from the UFS Department of Zoology and Entomology specifically focused on the behaviour of rhinos after dehorning or trimming of the horns. “Losing their horns will have an effect. Research has shown that the animals are more stressed, affecting birth rates, a change in habitat, and their social behaviour within bigger groups.” 

Also talking at the colloquium, were Dr Frans O'Neill, who focused on the cholesterol of the animals, and Dr Gary Osthoff, who looked at the milk production of the animals.

Colloquim at UFS
The Rhino Conservation hosted at the UFS brought together international scientists and conservationist.
Photo:Charl Devenish



News Archive

Moshoeshoe film screened at UFS as part of transformation programme
2004-10-14

A ground-breaking documentary film on the life and legacy of King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation, will be screened at the University of the Free State (UFS) tonight (Wednesday 13 October 2004) at 19:00.

Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, prof. Frederick Fourie, said the UFS commissioned the documentary as a practical demonstration of the university’s commitment to the continued transformation of the campus and the creation of a new inclusive institutional culture for all staff and students.

It is part of a larger UFS project to honour the Moshoeshoe legacy of nation-building and reconciliation and to explore his role as a model of African leadership.

The documentary tells the life story of the legendary king, with emphasis on his remarkable leadership skills, his extraordinary talent for diplomacy and conflict resolution and his visionary commitment to creating a new nation from a fragmented society.

Almost all the filming was done on or around Moshoeshoe’s mountain stronghold, Thaba Bosiu.

The last part of the documentary explores the lessons for African leadership to be learnt from Moshoeshoe. The hour-long documentary film was produced by the well-known journalist Mr Max du Preez and was commissioned by the UFS as part of its centenary celebrations.

“Through this documentary film about King Moshoeshoe, the UFS commits itself to developing a shared appreciation of the history of this country,” said prof. Fourie.

“King Moshoeshoe was a great African statesman and leader. He was born in this region of the country, but his influence and legacy extends way beyond the borders of the Free State, Lesotho and even way beyond the borders of South Africa,” said prof. Fourie.

As part of the larger project, the UFS is investigating a possible annual Moshoeshoe memorial lecture that will focus on African leadership, nation-building and reconciliation, possible PhD-level research into the life and legacy of King Moshoeshoe and a literary anthology including prose and poetry.

“We must gain a deeper understanding of what really happened during his reign as king. Therefore the University of the Free State will encourage and support further research into the history, politics and sociology of the Moshoeshoe period, including his leadership style,” said prof. Fourie.

According to prof. Fourie the Moshoeshoe project will enable the UFS to give real meaning to respect for the diversity of our languages and cultures, and the unity South Africans seek to build as a democratic nation through such diversity.

According to the producer of the documentary, journalist Mr Max du Preez, the UFS deserves credit for recognising this extraordinary man and for financing this important documentary.

Du Preez said: “It was about time that South Africa rediscovered Moshoeshoe. Colonialist and Afrikaner Nationalist historians have painted him as a sly, untrustworthy and weak leader. Most historians have preferred to glorify leaders in South Africa’s past who were aggressors and conquerors. In the process most present-day South Africans came to regard Moshoeshoe as a minor tribal figure.”

“Yet this was the man who broke the cycle of violence, famine and suffering during the traumatic time in central South Africa in the early 1800s. During the entire 19th century, Moshoeshoe was virtually the only leader in South Africa who did not answer violence with violence, who did not set forth to conquer other groups and expand his land,” said Mr du Preez.

“I have no doubt that the stability that the Free State region has enjoyed over more than a century was largely due to Moshoeshoe’s leadership and vision. He can quite rightly be called “The Nelson Mandela of the 19th Century,” Mr du Preez added.

Explaining the title of the documentary film, Mr du Preez said: “We decided to call the documentary “The Reniassance King” because whichever way one looks at it, Moshoeshoe symbolised everything behind the concept of an African Renaissance.”

“He was progressive, just and fair; he deeply respected human life and dignity (we would nowadays call it human rights); he embraced modernity and technology without ever undermining his own people’s culture or natural wisdom; he never allowed European or Western influence to overwhelm him, make him insecure or take away his pride as an African,” said Mr du Preez.

“Moshoeshoe was the best of Africa. If only contemporary African leaders would follow his example of what African leadership should be,” Mr du Preez said.

Among the interviewees in the film were Lesotho’s most prominent historian, Dr LBBJ Machobane, the head of the UFS’s Department of History, prof. Leo Barnard, Moshoeshoe expert and Gauteng educationist Dr Peter Seboni, Lesotho author and historian Martin Lelimo and Chief Seeiso Bereng Seeiso, Principal Chief of Matsieng and direct descendant of the first King of the Basotho.

The documentary film on King Moshoeshoe will be screened on SABC 2 on Thursday 4 November 2004.
 

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