DA: Declare rhino poaching 'a national disaster'

The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on Sunday urged the South African government to declare unchecked rhino poaching "a national disaster."

Such a move would enable access to disaster management funds to finance anti-poaching initiatives, Democratic Alliance MP Anthony Benadie said in a statement.

"It is clear that the current approach by the South African government in response to the onslaught on our rhino has been left wanting and that other avenues of protecting the species from extinction must be intensely explored," he said.

Benadie also called for lifting a ban on rhino trade imposed more than 40 years ago.

A debate has been going on on whether to legalize trade in rhino horns.

Benadie said the DA is of the view that legalizing rhino trade would protect consumers from unethical suppliers.

"A total ban on rhino horn trade will eventually lead to the complete extinction of the species," he said. "A regulated and controlled trade would supply demand and dismantle poaching syndicates through open market pressures."

Legalizing trade in rhino horns would also help reduce poverty and open the door for communities to become involved in rhino custodianship and conservation, especially emerging farmers, Benadie said.

He stressed the need to take effective management and harvesting procedures which he said would ensure a regular supply to the markets, create a sustainable income for South Africa and would preserve rhino.

According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs, 232 rhinos have been killed since the beginning of 2013.

Authorities warn that if the scourge is not contained, the number of rhinos killed this year would surpass that of last year when 448 rhinos were poached countrywide.

The World Wildlife Fund said killings of South African rhinos for their horns have increased 50 percent since 2011 and nearly 5, 000 percent since 2007.

Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa has said earlier the government is considering whether to declare "a national security risk" in terms of rhino poaching given the fact that criminal syndicates are behind the scourge.

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