February 2019

1. 2019 Hunting Season

As most of you know, Harloo Safaris is not a BIG outfit that try to push the numbers instead we rather book one group at a time to ensure quality time with our clients. We are very happy with the business we received in this year and we are looking forward to hunt with old and new friends alike!

The game at Harloo is in very good condition. We have had excellent rain and it has came down at the right times. There is a lot of feed available for the game and this is the reason for the excellent condition these animals are in. Also, due to the rain and the excellent condition of the game they can breed well and we now have lots of game around. Our Buffalo count is over 200 hundred and we have herds of 80+ animals. See the picture below.

PRIVATE RHINO OWNERS BOOST NATIONAL POPULATION

The number of white rhinos owned by private individuals and communities in South Africa increased significantly between the end of 2014 and the end of 2017 and now represents nearly half of the country’s total white rhino population. Over the same period, 640 white rhinos were poached on private reserves compared to the total national loss of 3 257 animals.

The results of a survey into privately-owned rhino in August 2018, indicates close to 7 000 white rhinos on private and communal property at the end of 2017, which represents approximately 46% of the total national herd of roughly 15 200. Since those results the number of privately-owned rhinos has increased. Pelham Jones of the Private Rhino Owners Association (PROA) said if one added the growth in privately-owned white rhino numbers since the end of 2017 and the 450 privately-owed black rhinos, it was safe to estimate that there are currently over 7 500 rhinos in private ownership. This is significant considering that the number of rhinos in many national and provincial parks and reserves are declining.

This recent survey, undertaken by the SADC Rhino Management Group (RMG) in partnership with PROA, was the 11th such study done since 1987 and aims to keep track of white rhino numbers in the private sector. Over the 30-year period, the number of privately-owned rhino increased from 813 in 1987, to 7 000 rhinos by the end of 2017. This is evidence of the increasing contribution that private rhino owners make towards the conservation of this species – a species that is near threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Dr Dave Balfour, chairperson of the SADC RMG, analysed the survey results and compiled a report for distribution to private rhino owners and to national and international conservation stakeholders and relevant authorities. Key to this process is the avoidance of commenting anywhere in public on the details of a property or a province to ensure that information provided does not compromise the security of an individual rhino population or owner.

ESCALATING SECURITY COSTS 

The survey also indicated a substantial increase in the cost of security measures implemented by owners to protect their rhinos against poachers. Since 2014, the security cost per rhino per year escalated over four-fold from R6 000 to R28 000 and while there is no doubt that security costs have increased substantially, Dave cautioned that these results need to be understood properly and recommended that further detailed studies be undertaken. “A more detailed break-down through a follow-up survey would be very valuable for the sector to convey clearly and accurately what they are contributing.” 

Dave also noted that the results would be very useful in advancing the interests of PROA members, as they would enable them to accurately present their contribution to rhino conservation in the country. “A consequence of the increasing security costs is that smaller populations are likely to ‘close shop’ and that ownership will consolidate in larger operations,” he said. Based on this information, it is estimated that from 2009 to 2017 private reserves have spent over R2 billion on rhino security and conservation management.

According to Dave many owners believe the state does not support them in protecting their herds nor does it provide other incentives to compensate private rhino owners. He comments that although direct support from the state is difficult to assess, it is important to recognise that other support structures are in place that benefit rhino owners. These include participation in working groups, national and international marketing by the Department of Tourism to promote ecotourism, support in establishing the RhODIS forensic facility that collects and captures rhino DNA information into a database, and multiple anti-poaching initiatives. “Support from the state should be sought through constructive engagement and the active participation of private rhino owners in surveys such as this one,” he said.

RANDS FROM RHINOS

One of the survey questions dealt with the economic value of rhinos, including sales, hunting and tourism activities. The results provided a mixed response depending on individual circumstances and location of rhino owners. The majority of respondents indicated that they did not sell any rhinos during the past three years (2015 to 2017). The reason for this is probably that the going price has dropped significantly although accurate figures are hard to obtain. 

Owning and looking after rhino is not for the faint of heart. Dave believes most owners continue attempts to generate revenue from their rhino. “They live in hope that poaching will decline over the next period and that there will then, again, be a vibrant market. Some owners are consolidating their herds into larger populations, probably hoping for opportunities to trade and operate commercially in rhino products in the long term. However, this will require new policies and laws. For this reason, it is important that private rhino owners seek opportunities for increased engagement with government.”

Dave does not want to speculate on the future of legal commercial trade in rhino horn. The results of the survey indicate that 85% of respondents support trade and the sustainable use of rhino but not all are convinced that legalising international trade will reduce poaching (14% were undecided and only 1% were against the trade in rhino horn). He encourages those that want to trade to put evidence-based arguments forward in support of their views. “It remains a highly controversial and emotive issue. It is time to move to evidence-based policies and it is the task of rhino owners to provide such evidence.”

IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL OPINION

South Africa has a unique wildlife conservation model that allows private ownership of a wide variety of species. This model has produced a remarkable and unparalleled conservation success story. “The results of surveys such as this one among private rhino owners, provide insight into a shifting ownership model in South Africa. PROA is a strong interest group that brings together and represents different interests in rhino conservation, including ecotourism, hunting and possible trade in horn. I encourage the members to identify their common interests and to use those towards developing a common message for the benefit of the group and for rhinos,” Dave said. 

COMMENTS BY PELHAM JONES, CHAIRMAN OF PROA.

A significant problem that we had with the survey, was that there was only a 25% response rate to the questionnaire that was distributed. This resulted in a total population estimate of approximately 4 000 white rhino in private and communal ownership. This is disappointing as it means there is an unwillingness from the PROA members to trust each other and to consolidate their information in a manner that can be used to advance their interests. The figure of approximately 7 000 was obtained through other sources. Therefore, it is less reliable but the best we have. It would be in PROA’s best interests to establish a better system for estimating numbers, trends and communicating this.

Survey data is essential to present the needs of owners. We find ourselves in an environment awash with animal rights NGOs (and other self-proclaimed experts) that present arguments based on speculation or emotion. We can only counter this with fact-based arguments when dealing with DEA or at events such as a CITES CoP. PROA thanks all members that participated in the survey and strongly encourages all owners to participate in future surveys. Our deepest gratitude goes to Dr Dave Balfour, chairperson of the SADC RMG, who carried out the data analysis and report writing at no cost.