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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

Breakfast in aid of hungry students
2011-06-01

Our university again proved that it cares for the welbeing of its students when a sum of money was presented to the No Student Hungry Project during a breakfast function.

The Centre for Health and Wellness at the UFS organised the event, not only to introduce the scheme to staff and individuals and thank those concerned for their contributions, but also to present the project organisers with a donation of R50 000. Mrs Grace Jansen, wife of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector and Dr Carin Buys, wife of Mr Rudi Buys, Student Dean, started the project this year after a study found that 20% of students at the UFS have to study on an empty stomach and that this often leads to students leaving the UFS prematurely.

Ms Tanja Malherbe, mistress of ceremonies, said that the project is blessed because it developed from the founder members’ love for the students. The project currently provides 6 000 deserving students with a meal per day.

Prof. Jansen said that although the university encourage academic success, the UFS is also ready to show its mettle on a humanitarian level. “We don’t want students to only study together, but also to eat together.” He added that food can promote a feeling of fellowship, gives comfort and is also a symbol for caring. “It is bad to be hungry, no matter what the colour of your skin. Especially when other people have food and you don’t.”He concluded by saying that we are blessed by giving to other people, and by giving, we also receive.

Ms Tarryn Nell, also from the centre, supported him by comparing caring to candlelight. “It drives the darkness away, involves compassion and gives direction. When two people can get things to change, the rest will follow.” She encouraged the audience to share their warmth, time, knowledge and resources with other people.

During the event, a picture summary also referred to two recent projects the centre hosted. The first was a free medical screening test for staff members and the second a temporary remembrance rose garden, representing the five main causes of deaths in the country. These causes are HIV, ischemic heart disease, stroke, tuberculosis and interpersonal violence.

The proceeds from Prof. Jansen’s book “We need to talk,” will be donated to the project. Persons wishing to make a contribution, can make a payment to the following account: ABSA 157085 0071, reference number 146 674 604, account number 0198, branch code 632 005. Deposit slips can be sent to pelserr@ufs.ac.za. 

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