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‘The world needs a rhino revolution’

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

SRC Inauguration speech: 22 January 2005

2005-01-22

Campus Head (Prof Peter Mbati). Dean of Students (Dr Natie Luyt). Deputy Director: Student Affairs and my boss (Mr. Teboho Manchu), Members of the University executive and Academic staff members, SRC members, Leaders of trade Unions and Student organizations, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, most importantly first entering students and Parents receive my heartfelt revolutionary greetings.

Let me extend my word of appreciation to our distinguished guests for adding value and dignity to this event. Your presence here means a lot to us. Program Director what I bring here with me, assisted by facts, and is therefore just the work of my imagination. Like a love letter addressed to a sweetheart miles away, even though you do not know how she feels, what she wants to hear, and do not even know how her face looks like.

To me a speech is just an honest and intimate conversation. That is why I got into the habit of establishing a dialogue, or a debate, with my acquaintances looking at their faces and trying to persuade them of what I am telling them.

Mr. Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament we are gathering at this ceremony, significantly few weeks after the release of grade 12 results, with the exception of those from Mpumalanga because of fraud. The Grade 12 results also show that only 18% of Black learners matriculated with exemptions, as compared to 53, 6% of white learners. This is an indication that our education system needs an overhaul.

We are also gathered here significantly a day after the management retreat held in Bloemfontein, Masselspoort. The retreat discussed, among other things, the transformation agenda, and some possible solutions to challenges we are facing now.

Most regrettably, we are gathered here when the whole world morns the victims of Tsunami tragedy. Let me therefore tore the line and convey our deepest condolences, from the last robot of my heart, to the affected families. Our hearts and thoughts will always be occupied by this horrified tragedy.

Creating a new Institution

I would submit, for purposes of debate and discussions that this Institution should strive to specialize and excel in regional rural development studies. Since our higher education, institutions in South Africa are generally weak in rural development studies. Instead, most of them tend to have an urban orientation to their programmes. Training everybody for the cities, big business and the private sector. This is a big weakness in a country with such large rural areas and population trapped in poverty, disease and ignorance.

Women’s studies

Program Director, it is only a moron who can argue against the fact that for us to reposition the institution around the regional development challenge, we need to start first with women empowerment. It is a fact that in most of our poor communities and families, it is women who withstand the worst of poverty. They are the ones who daily have to wipe tears from children who are hungry. It is women who look after the sick, the elderly, those dying from AIDS and the jobless. They are the one who have to fetch water, make fire and cook. There can therefore be no rural development studies without women studies, in particular on how to empower them and assist in the provision of basic services, so that they are relieved from some of the burdensome task of the society.

Registration Process

Mr. Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament let me indicate that the registration is a process and not an event, so it cannot be concluded overnight. This huge process demands for people to stay calm, as there is no crisis. People should stop being excited. At the same time, no organization should use its cheap popularity and unilaterally disrupt the continuous and smooth running of the registration process at hand.

Let me strongly indicate, madam deputy speaker, that I am on record for stating that I have forgiven all those who have wronged us. I harbour no bitterness towards the protagonists of our painful and unfortunate events of the past week. And we will overcome this process not by our own devices but by the help of Almighty God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Concerning registration of first years, we have programs, concerning that of senior students, we have programs, regarding graduations we have programs, and concerning HIV\AIDS we have programs. So, there is no need for people to press panicking buttons.

Mr. Speaker and Madam Deputy Speaker of the Student Parliament let me be opportunistic and welcome the entire student body on Campus for the academic year 2005. May our lovely first entering students have a happy and momentous year as part of Qwaqwa Campus of University of the Free State. May your studies be fruitful and enjoyable.

Student years are generally the happiest years of your life, so please make the most of them. While you are doing, all your preparations bear in mind that University is not an opportunity, it is just creating opportunities for a person.

On behalf of SRC members, our people, our students and management members I would like to welcome you all. Even though your parents are far away, here at Uniqwa you have more brothers, more sisters and more parents. Since we will love you with the same love as if we are from one family, and I have no doubts that management members will love and care for you as if you are their own children. Should you encounter any problem while studying at the Qwaqwa Campus of University of the Free State do not hesitate to contact us at the SRC offices because we need to ameliorate any factor influencing you negatively while on campus. I wish you well in the attainment of your academic pursuit.

Senior Students: We are not faced with just a new year but another academic year where we all have to work together to achieve our common goal of building our Institution through the development of human power. I urge you to invest your whole selves in this SRC.

For quite some time now, a debate has been ranging as to, whether has there been any progress in this incorporation process, or we are just moving with no direction. This debate is important, but I hasten to add not essential. The SRC is also involved in this debate, but with definite shift in emphasis. For us it is not important to participate in the debate than it is in finding solutions for the challenges of this new chapter in the history of humankind.

To my colleagues: Comrades, we are leading this Institution with a sense of pride and duty, and I know very well that we lead men and women, students who are determined to ensure that we all reach our destination safely and on time.

I said in one of our meetings that there are more enemies on our way, more than we can imagine. I think you witnessed that during the course of this week. The excitement and unnecessary confusions caused by some confused and loosed charlatans bear testimony to my statements. We should not reveal our game plans unless we are ready to slam.

Let me also borrow from the words of the late Albert Lethuli when he said and I quote: “There remains before us the building of the new land, from the ruins of the old narrow groups, a synthesis of the rich cultural strains which we have inherited. The task is immense”. Lastly, a navy divided within its ranks will be vanquished and destroyed by the enemy, but a navy united in purpose and action, loyalty and commitment will not drawn but sail on to victory.

In conclusion, let me call upon all political structures, church denominations, developmental structures, clubs, societies and forums to put aside all their differences, ideological insinuations and forge unity towards transforming Qwaqwa Campus of University of the Free State into an institution that is seen playing vigilant role in developing students academically, politically, socially, spiritually, religiously, culturally and otherwise.

Program Director, let me end my speech by indicating that every drop of my blood is telling me that Uniqwa is my home. I firstly became a student here, I became an activist here, I became a leader here, I became a president here, I will become a graduant here and hopefully I will become an employee here. So never, doubt my commitment towards the community of this campus.

Please be informed, in a central University of Technology’s way, that if there is no UNIQWA in HEAVEN, then I am not GOING.

Let us broaden the social base.

Tello Titus Wa-Motloung President General

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